Terms of Reference

Science Review of the Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

Regional Science Response Process (SRP) - Newfoundland and Labrador Region

April 2014
St. John's, NL

Chairperson: Nadine Templeman

Context

Since 2002, the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) has been conducting Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) of portions of the Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area that may have the potential for offshore oil and gas exploration activity. SEA is a broad-based approach to environmental assessment that examines the environmental effects which may be associated with a plan, program or policy proposal and that allows for the incorporation of environmental considerations at the earliest stages of program planning. SEA typically involves a broader-scale environmental assessment (EA) that considers the larger ecological setting, rather than a project-specific environmental assessment that focuses on site-specific issues with defined boundaries. Notably, the accuracy of information in a SEA is especially important as it sets the basis for future project-specific EA within its study area.

On March 5, 2014, the C-NLOPB released the Draft Eastern Newfoundland Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Report for public comment. The Fisheries Protection Program of the Ecosystems Management Branch in the Newfoundland and Labrador Region requested that DFO Science undertake a review of this document. A DFO Science Response Process (SRP) was undertaken to review and provide comment on the document regarding the accuracy and completeness of the content, assumptions and conclusions. The findings of the SRP will assist in formulating a departmental response on the document to the C-NLOPB.

Objectives

The objective of the Science Response Process is to provide science advice on the following questions:

• Is the information provided in the report complete and based on the most recent information available?
• Does it adequately describe the present state of knowledge, and are the assumptions adequately described and incorporated in the conclusions?

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science and Ecosystems Management