Environmental Assessment Study

A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) is a five-phase study identifying the potential positive and negative effects of municipal infrastructure projects like road improvements as well as water and wastewater projects. The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Municipal Engineers Association, in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act, require that Regional and municipal governments perform a Class EA study before a project can begin.

The five phases of a Class EA are:

  1. Identify the problem and/or opportunity
  2. Identify and evaluate alternative solutions
  3. Identify and evaluate alternative design concepts to the preferred solution
  4. Prepare an Environmental Study Report
  5. Implementation

Depending on the EA Schedule, a project may not require going through all phases of the EA Process prior to implementation. Refer to Frequently Asked Questions for the list of Class EA Schedules.

The Class EA process includes an investigation and evaluation of the impacts on the natural, social and technical environment. A Class EA evaluates the impacts on natural and cultural features, infrastructure, traffic patterns, local residents and businesses in the community as well as existing and future land uses.

Current Class Environmental Assessment Studies

Aurora

Yonge Street Aquifer Well Capacity Restoration

In 2016, The Regional Municipality of York completed a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to identify a recommended plan to restore the full permitted capacity of York Region’s wells within the Yonge Street Aquifer.

Since the completion of the Class EA, additional updates were recommended to improve the overall distribution system water quality, requiring an addendum to the 2016 Project File.

East Gwillimbury

Mount Albert Water Supply Upgrades

Study to identify improvements to the water supply system and water quality in the community of Mount Albert. 

Yonge Street Aquifer Well Capacity Restoration

In 2016, The Regional Municipality of York completed a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to identify a recommended plan to restore the full permitted capacity of York Region’s wells within the Yonge Street Aquifer.

Since the completion of the Class EA, additional updates were recommended to improve the overall distribution system water quality, requiring an addendum to the 2016 Project File.

Georgina

High Street and Woodriver Bend Sewage Pumping Station

York Region is conducting a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study to explore the wastewater systems and servicing needs for the community of Sutton for the next 30 years.

Learn more

King

Water and Wastewater Servicing in the Nobleton Community

York Region is initiating a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to identify long-term water and wastewater capacity servicing options for the Nobleton community that support growth and optimize the use of existing Regional infrastructure.

Learn more

Markham

Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road from Major Mackenzie Drive to Elgin Mills Road

The study reviewed the growth within the Markham Future Urban Area (FUA) and identified infrastructure improvements to accommodate the future transportation needs of this area as part of the Regional road network. 

Construction Starts: 2023 to beyond 2029
Estimated Study Completion: December 2023

Newmarket

Yonge Street Aquifer Well Capacity Restoration

In 2016, The Regional Municipality of York completed a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) study to identify a recommended plan to restore the full permitted capacity of York Region’s wells within the Yonge Street Aquifer.

Since the completion of the Class EA, additional updates were recommended to improve the overall distribution system water quality, requiring an addendum to the 2016 Project File.

Richmond Hill

Elgin Mills Road from Yonge Street to East of Newkirk Road

This study will reconfirm the need to enhance Elgin Mills Road and determine the preferred design for improvements, including a separation of the roadway and train tracks at the current rail crossing.

Estimated Study Completion: December 2023

Vaughan

Jane Street between Teston Road and Kirby Road

The study will build on York Region’s 2022 Transportation Master Plan and examine how to complete the identified infrastructure and active transportation improvements while lessening environmental impacts.

Study Completion: February 2026

Langstaff Road from Weston Road to Highway 7

Study Completion: January 2022

Teston Road IEA from Highway 400 to Bathurst Street

Estimated Study Completion: Winter 2024

Whitchurch-Stouffville

No current projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Class EA Schedule?

Schedules help identify the type of Class EA that will need to be conducted before a project can be implemented. Depending on the nature of a project, a schedule will help outline the level of activities and expectations on a proposed project.

Class EA Schedules are as follows:

Schedule A: Pre-approved activities

Schedule “A” activities are pre-approved. These activities generally include normal or emergency operational and maintenance activities where the environmental effects are usually minimal and, therefore, these projects are pre-approved.

Examples include:

  • Maintenance and operational activities such as snow plowing or roadside ditch cleaning
  • Bike lane and sidewalk installations
  • Adding traffic control signals
  • Emergency improvements such as emergency road repairs…
  • Repairing water main breaks
  • Cleaning sanitary sewers

Schedule A+: Pre-approved activities

Introduced in 2007 and similar to Schedule “A”, Schedule “A+” activities are pre-approved; however, the public is to be advised prior to project implementation in a manner that is appropriate.

Examples include: 

  • Re-designation of existing lanes
  • Minor road improvements such as road resurfacing
  • Addition of turning lanes at intersections
  • Emergency improvements such as emergency culvert repairs
  • Corridor reconstruction with no change in the number of lanes
  • Installation of sewers within an existing road allowance
  • Refurbishing a water or wastewater facility

Schedule B: Activities subject to the screening process

This includes improvements and minor expansions to existing facilities where there is the potential for some unfavourable environmental impacts. The municipality is required to undertake a screening process in consultation with those directly affected and relevant review agencies.

Examples include: 

  • Minor road improvements (such as…) road improvements with a cost under $2.4M or an expansion
  • Road intersection improvements such as traffic safety projects with a cost of over $2.4M  
  • Neighbourhood improvements
  • Minor modifications to existing facilities such as initial stockpiling of de-icing material at existing service facilities Increasing the depth of a municipal well
  • Retiring a water pollution control plant

Schedule C: Proceed through the EA planning process

Generally, this includes the construction of new facilities and major expansions to existing facilities with significant environmental effects; these projects proceed through a five-phased EA planning process. In a Schedule C project, information and findings must be presented in an Environmental Study Report (ESR), which must be made available for review by the public and regulatory review agencies.

Examples include: 

  • New facilities or infrastructure
  • Major modifications to existing facilities such as bridge widening
  • Significant road widening and realignment
  • Expanding an existing water pollution control plant beyond its rated capacity
How is the public consulted?

Public consultation is a vital part of the EA process. York Region strives to go beyond the minimum consultation requirement in the Class EA process by working with the public and stakeholders through advertisement, correspondence, Public Consultation Centres (PCCs), commonly called Open Houses, as well as consulting directly with local municipal councils, review agencies, interest groups, Indigenous communities and property and business owners.

We encourage you to contact the project team directly if you wish to be placed on the mailing list for updates on specific projects. This web page also lists the current and completed road, water and wastewater EA studies conducted within York Region. An online feedback form is available on each study page, which can be filled out during the EA study.

How long does the EA process take?

The duration of an EA depends on the schedules, type of projects, the potential impacts and the degree of consultation required. Typically, a Schedule “C” EA takes up to 18 to 24 months or more.

How can I get involved?

You can request to be placed on the project mailing list at any point during a Class EA Study by contacting:

York Region
Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000 
TTY: Dial 711 with a TTY device
Email: @email

All EA studies are posted in local newspapers, online at york.ca and mailed to property owners affected by the Study. We also encourage you to attend our Public Consultation Centres (commonly called Open Houses) to provide your input on our studies.

Where can I review the study information?

We encourage you to check the study web page periodically for project updates and public consultation opportunities. Notices are mailed to those residing in the study area, property owners and stakeholders on the mailing list. If you have any project-related inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact: 

York Region
Phone: 1-877-464-9675 ext. 75000 
TTY: Dial 711 with a TTY device
Email: @email

How will my comments be used?

Input from the public, review agencies and stakeholders will be examined and considered throughout the EA process. Comments will be evaluated along with other criteria, such as the needs, opportunities, environmental impacts, costs, road operations, technical standards and social impacts.

With the exception of any personal information, all comments received during the EA will be documented and included as part of the EA Study. 

What are the next steps after the EA approval?

After an EA has been approved, the project will proceed to the implementation phase, which includes the detailed design and construction phases of the project.

EA Process flow chart

EA Process flow chart

Planned Construction Schedule Map

View York Region’s Construction Schedule Map for planned and approved infrastructure projects.


View Larger Map

Related Resources