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

P a g e 6 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 tInstitute for EnvironmentalMonitoring and ResearchThe Institute was established in 1995 in responseto a recommendation by an independentEnvironmental Assessment Panel appointed to reviewmilitary flight training activities from the CanadianForces Base at Goose Bay. Its purpose is to overseethe environmental effects of Allied flight trainingconducted over areas of Labrador and northeasternQuebec. The Institute is governed by a Board ofDirectors representing Aboriginal and municipalgroups in the region with interests in militarytraining activities operated from 5 Wing Goose Bay.The Board has an independent Chair and non-votingmembers representing federal and provincialgovernments.The Institute has a primary interest in working with allparties affected by military training. It has developedan atmosphere of trust and respect amongst memberssharing different values and visions.The original MOU establishing the Institute expiredon March 31, 2006. A renewed grant agreement andMOU has since been signed with DND enabling theInstitute to continue to operate and meet itsobjective as an independent research and monitoringbody until March 31, 2010. Prior to the expiration ofthe current MOU, the Institute and DND will assessthe current training activities and identify futureoptions for the Institute.MISSIONThe Institute is an independent arm’s lengthorganization from DND and reports to the Ministersof Environment and National Defence. It conductsscientific research and monitoring initiatives onthe Labrador and northeastern Quebec ecosystemswithin the Low-Level Training Area (LLTA) related tomilitary training activities. It also conducts researchon the socio-economic effects of these activities.The Institute will offer scientifically supportedrecommendations to the Ministers on the results ofthese studies should it conclude that the militarytraining does cause significant impacts that cannotbe effectively mitigated.MANDATEAs an independent advisory body to the Ministers ofEnvironment and National Defence, the Institute’smandate is to:• Focus on the protection of the environment and,within the concept of sustainable development,support the viability of the military flight-trainingprogram;• Provide independent verification of environmentaleffects as well as expertise and advice onstructuring adequate monitoring and mitigationmeasures; and• Foster a level of trust amongst all groups affectedby the military training program.In the event that studies show significant impacts areoccurring that cannot be mitigated or justified, theInstitute may recommend that appropriate actionsbe taken to address the situation including makingrecommendation to the Ministers of Environmentand National Defence that military flying activities belimited or phased out.OBJECTIVESIn order to carry out this mandate, specific objectiveshave been identified:• Initiate, coordinate, support and conductenvironmental research;• Monitor effects and propose mitigation measuresassociated with the activities of military trainingover Labrador and northeastern Quebec;• Foster inclusion or incorporation of Aboriginalenvironmental knowledge and cooperation inresearch and monitoring activities amongst theDepartment of National Defence, scientificestablishments, research institutions, consultants,and universities interested in the mandate andobjectives of the Institute;• Promote a solid understanding and flow ofinformation with the public on the work of theInstitute.Hebron Church