Past Projects
Featured Examples
Third Party Review of Environmental Impact Assessments in the Canadian Oil Sands
Client: Indigenous Communities
Year Completed: 2002 to Ongoing
Location: Fort McMurray and Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Person Days: Ongoing
Total Staff: 12
Upon receipt of the Environmental Impact Assessments from proponents in the Alberta Oilsands Region (for example, Shell Canada Ltd., Synenco Energy Inc., Birch Mountain Resource Ltd., Husky, Syncrude Canada Ltd., and others), indigenous communities requested MSES to assemble a scientific team to review the EIAs to determine:
a) if the companies had fulfilled their environmental obligations, and
b) how the information provided in the EIAs relates to the Indigenous communities’ issues. The team was asked to examine the biophysical components such as wildlife, water and air quality portions of the EIA in detail, to determine whether any information gaps exist and to make recommendations to the companies and to resource agencies on ways to fill the gaps. The approach to the EIA review and gap analysis was outlined, with emphasis on the importance of accurate and sound science, and its relevance to the communities. Evaluation of the EIA included whether the information was complete, accurate, scientifically sound, appropriate, and addressed the community concerns. Findings from the EIA reviews were presented at public hearings or incorporated in environmental agreements.
Provision of Expert Ecological Analysis of Species at Risk and Cultural Key-Stone Species
Year Completed: 2012 to Ongoing
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Person Days: Ongoing
Total Staff: 4
MSES provides assistance with scientific review of and advice on habitat availability, use, connectivity, population viability, and monitoring of species at risk and cultural key stone species. MSES team members serve as client representatives on species-specific management teams for bison and caribou. MSES reviews reports and provides expert analysis and plain language briefings to our clients, examples include:
- applicability of objectives to meet desired outcome(s) for specific wildlife populations (e.g., bison or caribou)
- applicability of study design or methodology to achieving the objectives
- identification of data gaps, and required quality of data
- quality of analysis and validity of conclusions of research conducted
Provision of Expert Ecological Analysis to the Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board, NWT
Year Completed: 2003 to Ongoing
Location: Calgary, Alberta and Yellowknife, NWT, Canada
Person Days: Ongoing
Total Staff: 4
The Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board (EMAB) was established to include aboriginal and northern stakeholder participation in environmental monitoring of the Diavik Diamond Mines (DDM) Project. EMAB requested assistance for scientific review and advice on ecology monitoring, as well as briefings to prepare stakeholders for monitoring participation. MSES reviewed reports from the DDM project and provided expert analysis and plain language briefings to the Board regarding specific elements such as:
- applicability of objectives to meet desired outcome(s)
- applicability of study design or methodology to achieving the objectives
- quality of data
- quality of analysis validity of conclusions
MSES also evaluated the responses proposed by the company and regulators.
Review of Infrastructure Development in Manitoba, Canada
Year Completed: 2013
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Person Days: 30
Total Staff: 3
The team was asked to examine the wildlife component of Manitoba Hydro’s Bipole III EIS in detail to determine whether any information gaps exist and to make recommendations to Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Metis Federation on ways to fill the gaps. Evaluation of the EIS included whether the information was complete, accurate, scientifically sound, appropriate, and met the goals of the EIA process.
Advisory Services for the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Review Board on the Gahcho Kue and Taltson Hydroelectric Projects
Client: MVEIRB
Year Completed: 2009 – 2012
Location: Northwest Territories and Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Person Days: 30
Total Staff: 6
Provision of Expert Ecological Analysis to the Environmental Impact Review Board, NWT
Total Staff: 6
The Environmental Impact Review Board (EIRB) requested assistance for advisory services relating to the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk All Season Road Project (the Highway Project). MSES reviewed all documents on the record for the Highway Project and provided expert analysis and plain language briefings to the Board regarding specific elements such as:
- applicability of objectives to develop informed decisions
- applicability of study design or methodology to achieving the objectives
- quality of data
- quality of analysis validity of conclusions
List of Projects
Over 200 Person Days
Environmental impact assessment for Parson’s Creek Resource Extraction Project.
MSES Inc. 2007. Prepared for Graymont Inc/Inland.
Community consultation via newsletters and public forums.
MSES Inc. 2002 – ongoing. Prepared for Indigenous Communities in Northern Alberta.
Wildlife, vegetation and biodiversity assessments for Donlin Creek Project.
MSES Inc. 2006. Prepared for Lynx Enterprises, Alaska.
Third party reviews of oil sands development applications.
MSES Inc. Ongoing. Prepared for Indigenous Communities in Northern Alberta.
Vegetation classification and wildlife habitat suitability modeling in the MacKenzie Delta Region.
Prepared for nine Operators in the Mackenzie Delta Region, NWT, Canada.
Research on the management of fragmented populations.
Collaborating with the University of Uppsala, Sweden and the University of Calgary, Canada. 1995 – ongoing.
Over 30 Person Days
Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Skills Development in the NWT and Nunavut.
Prepared Baffin Divisional Board and the Fort Liard Community 2000, Fort McMurray.
Bow River Bird Sanctuary residential development.
MSES Inc. 2006. prepared for Sharebrooke Investment.
Environmental guidelines for developments in the municipal district of foothills, Alberta.
MSES Inc. 1998. prepared for the Council of the Municipal District of Foothills.
