2007 Annual Report - Institute for Environmental Monitoring and ...

P a g e 2 4 I n s t i t u t e f o r E n v i r o n m e n t a l M o n i t o r i n g a n d R e s e a r c h 2 0 0 7 A n n u a l R e p o r tPANEL RECOMMENDATIONS GOVERNMENT DECISIONS INSTITUTE RESPONSE51. The panel recommended thatavoidance and effects monitoringprograms be integrated for the sakeof cost effectiveness and efficientproject management.52. The panel recommended that, inan attempt to ensure the bestprotection of the environment, allparties (Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal,federal, provincial and DND) areinvolved as equals in thedecision-making and review processfor the monitoring program.53. The panel recommended that allparties be involved in the setting ofobjectives for the futuremonitoring program and theevaluation of acceptable levels ofimpact.Northern LabradorGovernment accepted thisrecommendation withexplanatory comment. “TheDepartment of NationalDefence will ensureintegration of the avoidanceand effects monitoringprograms that it will beimplementing between nowand the time the Institute isestablished. Thisrecommendation will also bereferred to the Institute”.Government accepted thisrecommendation withexplanatory comment. “AnInstitute for EnvironmentalMonitoring and Research willbe established. It will be anadvisory body reporting tothe Ministers of Environmentand National Defence and isintended to foster a level oftrust among all groups affectedby the low-level flyingactivities…”See above comment forrecommendation #52.The IEMR has proposed a revised program that would see theInstitute integrate the role of avoidance and effects monitoring.The IEMR has received approval for a renewal of its activitiesuntil March 2010. The IEMR has a new mandate, which willenable it to conduct and oversee all monitoring and effectsresearch associated with future military training.The IEMR is presently reviewing all of its monitoring andresearch initiatives.The IEMR has signed a revised MOU with DND that ensures thatall monitoring activities are now conducted by IEMR. The IEMRis also in the process of preparing a revised monitoring programwhich will ensure a continuous flow of monitoring data to DND.The Institute continues to explore opportunities to integrate itsresearch and monitoring activities with broad communityrepresentation and scientific participation as described in thisannual report. The IEMR is ensuring that Aboriginal groupsare kept informed of the research initiatives of the Institute.Continuing contact with the Aboriginal communities is assuredthrough the IEMR communication and outreach program.The IEMR meets regularly with the representatives from theAboriginal communities to assess the present program and toconsider new options that will reflect the requirements of therevised training options.The IEMR is currently reviewing its communication andinformation exchange program. A revised program will bereviewed by the IEMR Board during the coming year.IEMR is continuing to involve representatives from the Board attechnical committees and workshops.In collaboration with DND and the provincial governments, theIEMR continues to review research and set new objectives forthe development of a monitoring program through its TechnicalCommittees, the SRC, community representatives andindependent scientists that will reflect the changing needs ofthe flight training program.The IEMR continues to collaborate with DND, the Aboriginalcommunities and the provincial agencies from both Quebec andNewfoundland and Labrador in order to incorporate themonitoring needs of the revised training program.The IEMR continues to meet on a regular basis with representativesfrom the governments of Quebec and Newfoundland andLabrador to address issues of mutual concern.The IEMR also meets regularly with Aboriginal representatives toreview issues of mutual concern.The IEMR hosted two VEC workshops in 2007 to assess thenoise avoidance criteria that will be required to ensure that allspecies are protected from adverse noise disturbance fromfuture military training.The IEMR will review the results of the VEC workshops whichwere held in 2007 and assess how the noise avoidance criteriawill be integrated in the monitoring program to ensure that allimportant VECs are protected from adverse noise disturbanceduring future military training.