The requirements for each biological assessment are uniquely dependant on legislation, the requirements of the regulatory agency, the type and scale of development and the natural characteristics of the site surroundings.  Cambium has proven experience working with local, regional and provincial regulators and in balancing the requirements of regulators with the needs and capabilities of clients.
Cambium Environmental Inc. personnel have significant experience in biological monitoring, assessment and inventories including Environmental Impact Studies, Natural Heritage Evaluations, Species at Risk Assessments, and biological monitoring of flora and fauna.

Environmental Impact Studies

An Environmental Impact Study is an objective assessment of potential impacts to the existing environment as a result of a proposed development project.  The Environmental Impact Study identifies reasonably anticipated adverse impacts of a project on the local environment and recommends ways to avoid or minimize these effects and enhance the area if feasible.
An assessment of whether a proposed development might reasonably be expected to change the biological and physical characteristics and/or integrity of an area and to what extent is often required by regulatory agencies such as the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation Authorities, municipalities, and other regulators.  

In brief, Cambium will provide an evaluation of the reasonably anticipated effects of a development, set out acceptable standards and degrees of impact (both beneficial and adverse) on environmental values, and demonstrate how environmental impacts can be managed and mitigated through the protection and enhancement of environmental values.  Cambium prepares Environmental Impact Studies which present options and alternatives that promote the protection of the environment while encouraging compatible forms of development.

Natural Heritage Evaluations

A Natural Heritage Evaluation considers each property as it relates to the greater surrounding natural heritage system in order to ensure the ongoing functional ecological integrity of that ecosystem.  The objectives of the Natural Heritage Evaluation are to identify key natural heritage features in the vicinity of the subject property and to investigate potential impacts to the integrity of the ecosystem that may result from development.  The intent of a Natural Heritage Evaluation is to demonstrate that the proposed development will not have an adverse effect on key natural heritage features or related ecological functions.

Natural Heritage Evaluations are commonly required in ecologically sensitive areas, or on lands with known ecological significance, such as the Oak Ridges Moraine.  The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (2002) states that “a Natural Heritage Evaluation is required prior to development, in order to meet the objectives of the Plan to protect the ecological and hydrological integrity and connectivity of the Oak Ridges Moraine”.

Natural Heritage Evaluations are more exhaustive than Environmental Impact Studies, as the surrounding landscape and it’s interactions with the subject property are researched in greater detail. 

Species at Risk Assessments

Species at Risk Assessments are undertaken to determine the use, or potential use, of a property by species at risk (SAR) and to evaluate impacts to the species that could reasonably be expected to occur as a result of a proposed development.  The Endangered Species Act (2007) affords legal protection to designated SAR and their known habitats.  Under the legislation, the onus is on the landowner to ensure that their actions are not adversely impacting designated SAR or SAR habitat.  Resultantly, the assessment of SAR in locations with potential or existing SAR populations or habitats is becoming a more common requirement prior to land alteration and development.

The Committee on the Status of Species at Risk in Ontario (COSSARO) is an independent body which undertakes the assessment of species to determine their level of risk and assigns species to categories based on their status; extinct, extirpated, endangered, threatened and special concern.  All of the species classified to one (or more) of these categories receive legal protection under the Endangered Species Act (2007) and the Species at Risk Act (2002).

Cambium Environmental Inc. personnel are experienced in the identification of flora and fauna SAR and their habitats.  An understanding of species and habitat associations are critical to the effective assessment of SAR.  A comprehensive and detailed Species at Risk Assessment will ensure that the landowner is in compliance with legislation.

Biological Monitoring

Cambium Environmental Inc. personnel are dedicated to produce accurate and detailed assessments of environmental quality.  Biological monitoring (biomonitoring) of terrestrial, wetland and aquatic systems is becoming a common addition to traditional monitoring programs for municipal and private sector clients.  Biomonitoring programs can be initiated prior to, during, or following development to detect changes in the biotic community, positive or negative, over time.

Biomonitoring programs can be designed to detect undesirable alterations to the environment, such as declining water quality, plant or wildlife health or alterations to natural vegetation communities that may result from development.  Conversely, biomonitoring programs can also be designed to illustrate improvement of conditions over time, such as following the rehabilitation of a contaminated site or upgrades to effluent treatment systems.

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