Schedule

Environmental Assessment / Impact Assessment Process Milestones Timeline*

*Timeline is tentative and subject to change.

A Notice of Commencement of the Terms of Reference was published and distributed on March 6, 2019 (view the English or French Notice of Commencement)
Public Information Centre #1 (April 20 / May 1) for Indigenous people and the public
Initial Project Description submitted to the federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency)
Detailed Project Description submitted under the Federal Impact Assessment Act on November 9, 2019
A Notice of Impact Assessment was published by the Agency stating that a federal IA is required on November 29, 2019
Public Information Centre #2 (December 10 / 11) for Indigenous people and the public
Draft Terms of Reference released for review by Indigenous communities, agencies, the public, and other stakeholders on December 4, 2019
Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Program begins December 2019
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities
Field studies conducted on alternative routes throughout Summer into 2020

A Notice of Commencement of the IA was published by the Agency on February 24
Terms of Reference was submitted (Fall 2020)
Field studies continue
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities

Introduction of the Assessment Phase of the EA / IA Process
The Terms of Reference was approved on October 8, 2021 with amendments
The Notice of Commencement of Environmental Assessment was issued on October 29, 2021
Field studies continue
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities

Studies carried out to establish current conditions for water, air, land, social, cultural and economic conditions
Indigenous Knowledge Program continues
Fine tune Preferred Route Selection Approach
Public Information Centre #3 (June 27 / 29) for Indigenous people and the public.
Milestone: Effects Assessment Methodology (Fall 2022)
Public Information Centre #4 (December 7 / 8) for Indigenous people and the public
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities and the public
Impact Statement extension request submitted to IAAC

Impact Statement extension request granted by IAAC (January 13)
Indigenous Knowledge Program continues
Field studies continue
Share ATRI effects assessment information and host mitigation discussions
Identification of final route and rationale for the Community Access Road (end of 2023)
Milestone: Identification of Preferred Route (Fall 2023)
Ongoing engagement with Indigenous communities and the public including Public Information Centre #5 (Fall / Winter 2023)

Cumulative effects assessment
Preparation and submission of the Draft Environment Assessment / Impact Assessment (EA / IS)
Milestone: Review of Draft EA / IS (Summer 2024)