Why are environmental assessments so costly?
Citizen reader Philip Gosewich asks: What exactly is an urban environmental assessment and why is it so expensive? An environmental assessment is a planning tool used to examine what impact a major project—say a new highway, bridge or pipeline—will have on the surrounding environment and community. The impact could be economic, social, environmental or financial. Environmental assessments are not limited to urban areas, but many of them take place there because that’s where most people live and most economic activity takes place. The bigger the undertaking, the bigger the potential impact on neighbourhoods, communities and habitats. If a new bridge is being considered, for example, it is important to know if the link is actually necessary and not a waste of public funds. Are there alternatives? Where would the new link go—in a built-up area, through a protected forest or a heritage area? What will be the impact on residential communities? How much new traffic would be generated and wha
