The Environmental Impact Screening and Review Process is a formal process established by the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (IFA) to identify and assess the potential environmental and harvesting impacts of proposed developments in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR). The process is designed to ensure that development activities are conducted in a manner that is consistent with the principles of sustainable development and with the rights and interests of the Inuvialuit.

If the project that is being proposed within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region meets the definition of development, as set out in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement it is a development and will normally be subject to screening:

• any commercial or industrial undertaking or venture, including support and transportation facilities related to the extraction of non-renewable resources from the Beaufort Sea, other than commercial wildlife harvesting; or
• any government project, undertaking or construction whether federal, territorial, provincial, municipal, local or by any Crown agency or corporation, except government projects within the limits of Inuvialuit communities not directly affecting wildlife resources outside those limits and except government wildlife enhancement projects.

Common developments reviewed by the EISC include:

If you are planning to do an activity within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and it is done by a commercial or governmental organization that requires licencing, you will be required to submit to the EISC.

To submit to the EISC you can contact the EISC Resource Person (eisc@jointsec.nt.ca) and ask to have your EISC Registry account linked to your project’s organization. After this is completed, you will be able to fill out the EISC’s Pre-Screening Questionnaire on the EISC Registry  starting your project submission.

Valued components (“VCs”) refer to specific environmental, cultural, and socio-economic factors that are important and valued within the ISR. These components are defined by the proponent in their submission to the EISC.

Cumulative impacts refer to the combined effects of multiple developments and activities on the environment, wildlife, and communities over time. The EISC considers the cumulative impacts when assessing the potential effects of a proposed project.

No, some projects may be exempt from the screening process if they do not meet the definition of a development, or they fall under specific categories listed in the exclusion list outlined in Appendix A of the EISC Guidelines.

The environmental impact screening process usually takes between seven (7) to sixty-five (65) days after verification that it is complete, depending on the proponent’s response times and whether the project goes through screening. Pre-screening and Screening may take longer in some circumstances.

A recommendation from the EISC may include specific terms and conditions that the proponent should adhere to mitigate potential impacts or to ensure compliance with environmental requirements and regulations. It should be noted that the EISC only provides recommendations on projects that undergo screening and result in a 11(17)(b) decision. A recommendation given on a filming project occurring on in Ivvavik National Park [03/23-14] can be found below:

Preamble
The Proponent identified in section 6.0 of the submitted project description that a wildlife monitor would be hired from Aklavik at the recommendation of the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee.

Recommendation
The Proponent shall contact the Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee to hire an appropriate and skilled wildlife monitor who has successfully completed bear safety training.

Using the Community Conservations Plans (“CCPs”) you can find where each community has their land categories designated, if you fall under one of these land categories you need to contact the appropriate Hunters and Trappers Committee (“HTCs”). Contact information can be found here.

Developers should approach cumulative impact assessment by considering the potential combined effects of their project along with other existing and planned developments in the area. They should conduct a thorough assessment of the cumulative impacts on the environment, wildlife, and communities. This assessment should include consultation with relevant stakeholders, collaboration with other developers, and the incorporation of best practices and guidelines for cumulative impact assessment.

During the commenting period, stakeholders and interested parties can submit written comments and information requests to the EISC. These can be sent via email to eisc@jointsec.nt.ca or uploaded directly to the registry file of a given project on the EISC Registry.

You can stay informed about projects by regularly checking the public registry of the EISC, attending public presentations or hearings, and signing up for notifications found on the EISC registry site. More information can be found here.

You can find more detailed information about the EISC’s process in the EISC Guidelines, which provide comprehensive guidance on the screening process, requirements, and procedures. These guidelines are here.

The IFA stands for the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. It is a legal agreement signed in 1984 between the Committee for Original Peoples Entitlement on behalf of the Inuvialuit and the Government of Canada. The IFA sets out the rules for land, wildlife, and economic development management in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

Yes, the EISC works with several other assessment bodies found in the north including the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (“YESAB”), and the Nunavut Impact Review Board (“NIRB”).

The record refers to the collection of documents, information, and correspondence related to a specific project that is submitted to the EISC and becomes part of the official record for that project.

Transboundary concerns refer to potential impacts of a project or development that extend beyond the boundaries of the area it is being screened in. If there are transboundary concerns, the EISC may screen developments occurring outside their jurisdiction. They can also screen developments in neighbouring areas at the request of the Dene/Métis and the Inuvialuit.

The EISC consists of seven permanent members, including the chair. Three members are appointed by the Inuvialuit, and three members are appointed by Canada. The chair is appointed by Canada with the consent of the Inuvialuit. The current members and bios can be found here.

If a project undergoes significant changes, the EISC may require the proponent to resubmit the project description (“PD”) and undergo screening again. Multi-year and ongoing projects may need to submit to the EISC once a year for a renewal.

The EISC does not have specific rules tailored exclusively for oil and gas companies. Oil and gas projects are subject to the same screening process as other types of developments. The EISC evaluates their potential environmental impacts and determines whether they could have a significant negative impact.

Research projects can be considered developments if they meet the definition outlined in the Inuvialuit Final Agreement (“IFA”). If a research project falls under the definition of a development, it may be subject to screening by the EISC to assess its potential environmental effects. Check the EISC Screening Guidelines for more information.

The Community Conservation Plans (“CCPs”) describe the different community priorities when it comes to harvesting and land sensitivities. These plans are meant to provide guidance regarding the conservation and management of natural resources and lands within the ISR and can help developers with an interest in the planning area.

The Inuvialuit Game Council (“IGC”) plays a significant role in wildlife management and conservation within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (“ISR”). They represent the interests of the Inuvialuit regarding wildlife harvesting and environmental concerns. The IGC appoints members to the EISC and contributes to the decision-making process for environmental impact assessments.

Community consultation plays a crucial role in the Environmental Impact Screening and Review Process. Community consultation allows local communities to voice concerns, give input, and share knowledge during the assessment of proposed developments. The EISC considers the feedback received during public consultation when evaluating the potential impacts of a project and making recommendations.