Cumulative effects assessment: learning from Canadian case studies

Abstract

Cumulative effects assessment (CEA) for environmental impact assessments are required by some Canadian and American legislation. However, there is confusion concerning exactly what CEA involves. This clarifies the requirements of CEA and illustrates its use in a number of case studies. Practitioners must: identify valued ecosystem components (VECs) affected by the proposed project; determine what other past, present and future human activities have affected or will affect these VECs; predict the impacts on the VECs of the combined activities; and suggest how to manage these cumulative effects.

Keywords:

• cumulative effects assessment
• environmental impact assessment
• Canada