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Environmental Planning

Environmental planning incorporates many of the activities and disciplines at AXYS with the objective of preserving or enhancing environmental values or resources. AXYS provides balanced solutions to industry, communities and government focusing on project and issues management in an environmental context.

Services

Project Management and Logistics Planning

Members of the planning team have considerable experience with the management of projects of all sizes. AXYS can manage the entire assessment and permitting process from project conception and design, through issues scoping, logistics, research, field studies, analysis, and final documentation.

Industry and Regulatory Liaison

Planning staff are a strong bridge between industry and regulators. We facilitate the assessment and approvals process drawing on over 50 years of collective experience. AXYS’ has extensive experience in assessment and permit approvals at both the federal and western provincial levels.

Land Use Planning

Land use features and existing levels of human development are important features in an environmentally sound land use design. AXYS planners are experienced at using this information when designing land use plans that best suit client needs, while meeting regulatory requirements.

Environmental Protection and Mitigation Planning

Planners help design mitigation plans to manage the potential environmental effects of development. We can assist in design and implementation of measures that promote sustainable interactions with the environment and provide contingency planning.

Reclamation Planning

After construction is completed or a project is to be decommissioned, reclamation is a key component. AXYS reclamation experts assist clients through the maze of reclamation guidelines and regulations to create plans ensuring that reclamation is successful based on a variety of stakeholders’ needs.

Public Consultation

Public consultation and early public notification are vital parts of any proposed project. AXYS staff have extensive experience in the design and implementation of consultation programs and stakeholder issue scoping.

Mediation and Negotiation

AXYS staff help companies and organizations in conflict over environmental issues come to an agreement that works for both sides by providing innovative environmental management solutions.

Technical Support and Representation

Our technical staff provide support and direction to regulatory applications by reviewing technical documentation and providing environmental and regulatory guidance. We can also represent clients at environmental meetings and forums.

First Nations and Community Advisory

We have spent years building strong relationships with local First Nations and community organizations. We have worked in a capacity-building function with First Nations and can help facilitate environmental discussions between First Nations and government or industry.

Training and Capacity Building

We have designed and delivered training programs on environmental issues and management to numerous groups and organizations, including government agencies and First Nations. AXYS staff are actively involved in industry environmental training programs through Enform (formerly Petroleum Industry Training Service) and have developed a variety of construction and inspection training programs.

Environmental Risk and Health

Our team is currently developing a health and safety group to perform such tasks as food surveys and dietary studies in traditional use areas and to investigate links between animal health and environmental issues. In communities where developments are occurring, these issues are being raised with increasing frequency during regulatory applications and approval processes.

Selected Experience

Athabasca Tribal Council (ATC)

Technical advisory support to ATC's work within the Cumulative Environmental Management Association's (CEMA) regional planning. AXYS planners contribute to several CEMA working groups on behalf of ATC including the Landscape Biodiversity Working Group (LBWG), the Resource Use Task Group (RUTG) and the Trace Metals and Air Contaminants Working Group (TMAC). The planning group is also assisting ATC in the preparation of a traditional food baseline study for the southern portion of the Athabasca oil sands region (Fort McMurray south).

Highwood Public Advisory Committee

Participation on the Highwood Public Advisory Committee reviewing non-storage options for a potential dam on the Highwood River. We provided technical support, information and communication on questions dealing with impact to riparian habitat.