Stage 1: P/NF Study - Fast Facts
What is it?
- The Canada-U.S.-Ontario-Michigan Transportation Partnership is a bi-national
working group that includes representatives from the United States Federal
Highway Administration, Transport Canada, the Michigan Department of
Transportation and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
What is its purpose?
- The Canada-U.S.-Ontario-Michigan Border Transportation Partnership
has completed the Planning/Need and Feasibility (P/NF) Study, which
identifies a long-term strategy for the transportation network in Southeastern
Michigan-Southwestern Ontario. This study was sponsored by the governments
of Canada, United States, Ontario and Michigan, which have formed a
partnership with the purpose of improving the movement of people and
goods across the Canadian/U.S. border.
- The P/NF Study is considered the first step in identifying and implementing
effective solutions to current and future cross border transportation
problems and opportunities.
Why is it needed?
- Prior to preparing an Individual Environmental Assessment (EA), the
Ontario Environmental Assessment Act requires that a proponent prepare
a Terms of Reference (TOR). A Terms of Reference is a document that
identifies the framework the Partners must follow in completing the
environmental study. The TOR requires approval by the Minister of the
Environment (MOE), and the subsequent Individual EA is then prepared
in accordance with the approved TOR. The intention is to submit the
TOR to MOE for review in March of 2004.
What will it provide to the public?
- An OEAA TOR is an essential step towards the completion of the formal
environmental studies needed to provide the public and other stakeholders
the information to make informed decisions about improvements to the
transportation network in the Detroit/Wayne County – Windsor/Essex
County area.
- The public will have the opportunity to influence how the environmental
studies will be conducted, by providing input on the processes to be
used to:
- Consult with ministries, department, agencies, municipalities,
First Nations, stakeholders, and the general public;
- Develop a Study Area;
- Develop transportation alternatives; and
- Evaluate alternatives and select a recommended alternative.
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