Offshore Wind Power Projects in the Great Lakes - Ministry of ...

Offshore wind power projects in the Great Lakes: Background and science considerations for fish and fish habitat
management, the approach is an iterative process for collecting information and using that
information to guide and inform appropriate siting, construction and operation decisions, and to
evaluate alternative options to minimize risk. At each tier, potential issues associated with
construction or operation are identified, and strategies to monitor and mitigate impacts are then
formulated and put into place. Fundamental to such an approach is the collection of data in
increasing detail as warranted by the results of environmental impact or risk assessments. For
example, if early monitoring studies provide evidence that there are effects occurring that are of
particular concern to fish or fish habitat, proponents would then follow up with more detailed
studies to quantify those impacts, develop appropriate mitigation strategies or re-evaluate options
for development. Adapting the tiered approach outlined by the WTFAC, we present a similar
conceptual framework as an option for development of offshore wind power projects in the Great
Lakes (Box 2).
6.2 Applying the precautionary approach
The precautionary approach (and its slightly stricter counterpart, the precautionary principle)
recognizes that where serious environmental impacts might arise through human activities, lack
of scientific consensus or understanding should not be used as an excuse to not take preventative
measures to reduce the potential harm. The Precautionary Approach was a key part of the Rio
Declaration, adopted by attendees (including Canada) of the United Nations Conference on the
Human Environment, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992. Principle 15 of the Declaration states "In
order to protect the environment, the precautionary approach shall be widely applied by States
according to their capabilities. Where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of
full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to
prevent environmental degradation" (United Nations Environment Programme 1992).
Aquatic Research and Development Section 80