Cumulative Effects Assessment and Management in the Northwest Territories—Challenges and Opportunities for Supporting Long-Term Sustainability

摘要

Development pressures have grown dramatically in the Northwest Territories (NWT) over the past decade and are likely to continue to increase over the coming years. Proper assessment and management of the cumulative effects of these developments posessignificant challenges and, if done properly, offer real opportunities for responsible economic development within a sound environmental management framework. While no one agency has sole responsible for assessing and managing cumulative effects, it is clear that no agency is without responsibility. For this reason, a partnership of representatives from aboriginal, territorial, and federal governments; environmental nongovernment organizations; the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board; andthe mining and oil and gas sectors developed an innovative framework for the NWT to address these challenges. The components of the integrated framework include an overall vision and objectives, land use planning, baseline studies and monitoring, research, audit and reporting, project-specific screening, environmental assessment and review, regulation and enforcement, information management, coordination, and capacity building. Implementation of the framework will better enable decision makers to makethe wise decisions necessary to protect the natural and social environment of the NWT and, at the same time, promote responsible development.