When a project includes work near creeks, wetlands, forests, or wildlife corridors, you may be required to understand and mitigate impacts to the environment. Environmental assessments are critical tools for understanding and reducing potential impacts on natural ecosystems and species.
Whether you are proposing a new residential development project, infrastructure project, or industrial development, an environmental assessment helps ensure your project aligns with regulatory requirements and demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship.
Protect Sensitive Ecosystems and Species
Many of the most ecologically valuable areas are also the most sensitive. Biological assessments help identify:
- Riparian zones and wetlands
- Sensitive ecosystems and valued environmental components
- Vegetation communities, including rare plant species
- Wildlife and habitat use, including special-status species
Assessments typically begin with a desktop review and continue with detailed field surveys to document habitat conditions, species presence, and ecological functions. This information supports sustainable land use and biodiversity protection.
Meet Legal and Regulatory Requirements
Biological assessments provide the technical basis for permitting under provincial and federal regulations, including:
- Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) – required for setbacks from streams and creeks
- Fisheries Act – protects fish habitat from harmful alteration
- Species at Risk Act (SARA) – protects endangered and threatened species
- Provincial and local requirements – such as Development Permit Areas and approvals under the Water Sustainability Act
Our assessments provide the data, mapping, and mitigation strategies needed to satisfy regulatory requirements.
Inform Project Design and Avoid Delays
Completing an environmental assessment early in the project lifecycle can help you:
- Identify seasonal constraints, such as nesting birds, amphibian movement, and DFO fish windows
- Establish appropriate riparian or wetland buffers
- Adjust site design to avoid critical habitat areas
- Develop logical and practical mitigation measures suited to the site
This approach reduces the risk of costly design changes, construction delays, or compliance issues.
Habitat Restoration and Monitoring
Environmental assessment does not end with project approval. Active Earth also provides:
- Habitat restoration and site reclamation plans using native vegetation
- Construction Environmental Management Plans (CEMPs) and Environmental Protection Plans (EPPs)
- Water quality monitoring during instream construction
- Ongoing monitoring for vegetation, wildlife, and aquatic health
These services ensure compliance throughout construction and support long-term environmental sustainability.
Clear Information for Better Decisions
An environmental assessment is more than a regulatory requirement. It is a way to:
- Identify and protect sensitive ecosystems
- Reduce environmental risks and environmental liability
- Support responsible project planning and execution
- Demonstrate commitment to sustainability and compliance
With Active Earth’s experienced biologists and environmental professionals, you gain reliable information and practical solutions that help your project move forward with confidence.