ABSTRACT. Setting social, economic, and ecological objectives is ultimately a process of social choice informed by science. In this special feature we provide a multidisciplinary framework for the use of cumulative effects assessment in land use planning. Forest ecosystems are facing considerable challenges driven by population growth and increasing demands for resources. In a suite of case studies that span the boreal forest of Western Canada to the interior Atlantic forest of Paraguay we show how transparent and defensible methods for scenario analysis can be applied in data-limited regions and how social dimensions of land use change can be incorporated in these methods, particularly in aboriginal communities that have lived in these ecosystems for generations. The case studies explore how scenario analysis can be used to evaluate various land use options and highlight specific challenges with identifying social and ecological responses, determining thresholds and targets for land use, and integrating local and traditional knowledge in land use planning. Given that land use planning is ultimately a value-laden and often politically charged process we also provide some perspective on various collective and expert-based processes for identifying cumulative impacts and thresholds. The need for good science to inform and be informed by culturally appropriate democratic processes calls for well-planned and multifaceted approaches both to achieve an informed understanding of both residents and governments of the interactive and additive changes caused by development, and to design action agendas to influence such change at the ecological and social level.
ABSTRACT. Cumulative effects management requires understanding the environmental impacts of development and finding the right balance between social, economic, and environmental objectives. We explored the use of choice experiments to elicit preferences for competing social, economic, and ecological outcomes in order to rank land and resource development options. The experiments were applied in the Southeast Yukon, a remote and resource rich region in Northern Canada with a relatively large aboriginal population. The case study addresses two issues of concern in cumulative effects management: the willingness to discount future environmental costs for immediate development benefits, and the existence of limits of acceptable change for communities affected by development. These issues are thought to be particularly relevant for First Nations in Northern Canada where cultural identify is tied to the land and continuity of the community is an important value. We found that residents of the Southeast Yukon value benefits from both development and conservation and must make trade-offs between these competing objectives in evaluating land use scenarios. Based on the preference information we evaluated four land use scenarios. Conservation scenarios ranked higher than development scenarios, however, there was significant heterogeneity around preferences for conservation outcomes suggesting a low degree of consensus around this result. We also found that residents did not discount the future highlighting the importance of intergenerational equity in resource development decisions. We did not find evidence of development thresholds or limits of acceptable change. Interestingly we found no difference in preferences between the aboriginal and non-aboriginal populations.
On July 30, 1984, the final report of the Beaufort Sea Environmental Assessment Panel was released, culminating a four year public review of Beaufort hydrocarbon production and transportation options. This article summarizes the reaction of one of the industry participants to the report's findings and implications for future activities. The Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process (EARP) is the key component of the regulatory process designed to review environmental and social issues. Once initiated, no federal development approval except that of the National Ener2.Y Board can be given until the review has been completed and the panel has made its recommendation to the Minister of the Environment. These are not binding, but may be implemented as deemed necessary by the appropriate government agencies and project proponent. The Beaufort EARP was unique because it examined a wide range of conceptual development alternatives rather than a specific project proposal. The options were developed by Dome Petroleum Ltd., Esso Resources Canada Ltd. and Gulf Canada Resources Inc., the proponents, on behalf of all land holders in the Beaufort Sea-Mackenzie Delta region. As a result, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) submitted by the proponents examined the potential environmental and social impacts associated with offshore and onshore production, tanker transportation through the Northwest Passage, pipeline transportation up the Mackenzie Valley, and support activities. The panel also requested and reviewed information on regulatory roles and responsibilities and the current status of government preparedness. The Panel's Findings The panel's recommendations and conclusions were based on two key objectives:that northerners must be able to manage the effects of changes and derive long-term benefits from developments; andthat the degree of risk to renewable resources from oil and gas production would be acceptable to them. The panel determined that a uphased approach" to hydrocarbon development utilizing sequence of small-scale projects would satisfy these objectives. The panel recommended phased development involving initial production of about 15,000 m3/day of oil. The report concludes that this production could be transported in a small diameter (e.g. 400 mm) buried pipeline up the Mackenzie Valley and that such a pipeline could be built without further public hearings. Oil tanker transport was recommended to commence only after a research and preparation stage follow- ed by a two-tanker demonstration project. This initial production phase could be followed by increases in throughput, and addition of pipelines or tankers in a sequential fashion, if impacts observed in the initial phase were determined to be acceptable. In addition to the discussion of oil production, the panel concluded that a gas pipeline may be built if potential socioeconomic impacts do not exceed those of small-scale oil production. They also recommended that no port or supply base should be permitted on the Yukon Coast west of Kay Point, and that industry should share facilities wherever possible. Approximately three-quarters of the panel's formal recommendations address government roles and responsibilities.
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