New Brunswick’s Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation (Regulation 87-83) came into force on July 13, 1987, to provide a legislative framework for proactive environmental planning including opportunities for public involvement. The Clean Environment Act, RSNB 1973, c C-6 is the source legislation for Regulation 87-83.
Regulation 87-83 is designed to identify the environmental impacts associated with development proposals well in advance of their implementation, so that such impacts can be avoided or reduced to acceptable levels before they occur. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) gives technical specialists from government agencies, as well as First Nations, local residents, and the general public a chance to provide their input to the decision-making process regarding specific development proposals. The EIA review process must be completed before any project subject to EIA can proceed. Although the EIA Regulation grants the Lieutenant-Governor in Council the authority to prevent projects from proceeding, Regulation 87-83 is not intended to be a mechanism for stopping developments. Anticipated impacts can be avoided or reduced to acceptable levels through careful attention to the location, design and timing of a proposed undertaking and by ensuring that proponents follow specific terms and conditions identified by regulators.