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Environmental Advisory Services

AXYS project managers have extensive experience in environmental impact assessments for oil sands mine developments and in-situ oil sands projects giving us a strong base of experts in the areas of Aboriginal consultation and advice, expert environmental advice for regulatory hearings, planning and regulatory advice at the provincial and federal levels, and advice on integration of cumulative effects considerations into regulatory applications.

We can provide these advisory services for our oil sands clients during the early application procedures common to pilot projects and throughout all stages of commercial oil sands applications.

Aboriginal Advisory Services

AXYS and its Heritage Resources Division, FMA Heritage Resources Consultants Inc., provide Aboriginal consultation services to First Nation communities in the oil sands region of Alberta. We have also established a partnership arrangement with the Cold Lake First nation to form Nu Nennè-AXYS Inc.

The goal of this arrangement is to help oil sands operators meet their environmental commitments while promoting opportunities for First Nation communities to become more involved in the environmental management of their traditional lands. AXYS’ contribution to this arrangement is with advice, capacity building and training by our professional staff to ensure that a high quality product is delivered.

Expert Advice

The combined technical and managerial knowledge of AXYS senior-level staff is vast, including wildlife, vegetation, heritage resources, integrated site management, surface water and fisheries. These staff members provide strategic and expert advice to oil sand proponents at regulatory hearings. Expert advice provided by AXYS senior staff includes:

• preparation of filed evidence
• issues identification and key message development
• expert witness training
• expert witness testimony
• preparation of cross-examination material
• preparation of final argument

Planning and Regulatory Advice

Environmental planners and project managers at AXYS are experts in the environmental regulatory review process at the federal and provincial level. We provide advice to oil sands proponents that will help them navigate regulatory application requirements and protocols. Senior-level staff also possess skills and expertise in public consultation, media relations and the coordination of multi-disciplinary teams.