Abstract

Development of a Cumulative Effects Framework for British Columbia, Canada
Track: Environmental Management
Authors: Eric Valdal

In British Columbia, cumulative effects are considered in the evaluation of large projects, but the vast majority of proposals are for small projects that currently do not benefit from having a framework for assessing cumulative effects. The need to efficiently and consistently assess the impact of projects collectively is becoming more acute because the demand for access to natural resources is growing rapidly and the context for new development is becoming more complex. New opportunities continue to emerge (e.g. green energy), markets fluctuate dramatically (e.g. gas, lumber, gold), First Nations and public expectations continue to evolve, and regional and global processes are altering landscapes and creating uncertainty (e.g. climate change).
Central to the development of the Cumulative Effects Assessment Framework (CEAF) are analytical approaches at a variety of scales, elevated requirements for data management and reporting. This presentation will focus on the integral GIS aspects of the currently developing CEAF.