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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