Assignment 1

Preliminary Submission for the Major Assignment

This assignment is much more important than its five per cent value might suggest, because it forms the foundation for your major assignment, which accounts for more than one-third of the overall mark in this course. This preliminary submission helps you establish a sound basis for completing the major assignment. It is required early in the course (at the end of Unit 2) so that your tutor can ensure that you have chosen a topic that is appropriate and can readily be dealt with. The early start also allows you sufficient time to obtain the research materials you will need to complete the major assignment. You should read the requirements for the major assignment now, to help you to choose an appropriate topic.

In this assignment, you will identify a proposed project, policy or program that is not legally required to undergo an environmental assessment, but which you believe should be assessed. The undertaking must have been proposed within the last two years. For the first assignment, you will make a preliminary submission of one or two typed pages, clearly identifying the undertaking, briefly explaining why it should be subject to an assessment, briefly describing three major issues that would need to be included in the environmental assessment, and listing at least five sources of information about the undertaking or its potential effects. If you learned about the undertaking in a newspaper, it would be helpful to include a copy of the article with your preliminary submission.

Begin by identifying a proposed project, policy or decision that you believe should be subjected to an environmental assessment. Note, however, that you must choose an undertaking that has not undergone an assessment, and is not likely to be required to undergo an assessment in the near future. Most projects proposed by private interests meet these criteria, because most environmental assessment legislation only applies to the activities of governments. Suitable private projects might include construction of a new subdivision, shopping mall, tourist development or factory. In some parts of Canada, many of the smaller undertakings of governments or government agencies are also exempt from assessment. One of them might also be a suitable subject for your assignment. In addition, changes in public policies or programs are usually not assessed, but often have considerable impacts, and one of them might therefore qualify as an acceptable undertaking for you to examine.

Newspapers, magazines, radio or TV newscasts, or other parts of the popular media are often good places to look for suitable undertakings. Another useful place to look is in the agenda and minutes of municipal councils or other local government agencies. You may want to select several topics, and then do some preliminary research to determine how much information is available on each one. Keep in mind the requirements of the major project.

You must obtain as much information as possible about your selected undertaking. Ideally, this information will include a clear description of exactly what is being proposed. This description will probably come from the proponent. You should also obtain opinions about the undertaking from other sources. Consequently, for your purpose, it is helpful if the proposal has already generated some controversy. There may be letters to the editor about the undertaking, a community group may be raising concerns, or there may be opposition from local and national organizations.

It is not necessary that the undertaking affect the natural environment. Assessments should also be conducted to determine social and economic impact for proposed undertakings. For example, proposals to restrict smoking, amalgamate local governments or change social services are appropriate topics for assessment. However, you may find it easier to work with an undertaking that may affect the natural environment as well as the socio-economic one.

By the time you complete this assignment, you will have identified an number of sources of information about your chosen undertaking. It is important that you gather as much of this information as you can, as soon as possible. The proponent may have promised you a document, or you may have learned that a community group has prepared a critique. Take steps now to ensure that you will get these materials well before you have to complete the major assignment. If crucial material is not available, you may find it impossible to complete your assignment.