Reference bulletins

Reference Bulletins clarify the Board’s views and expectations on specific subjects and issues related to the environmental impact assessment process.

Reference bulletin on conducting shorter environmental assessments (1.12 MB)

How and when the Review Board can conduct environmental assessments under the 9-month legislative timeline under the MVRMA

Reference Bulletin on designated regulatory agencies (743.86 KB)

This reference bulletin describes the roles and responsibilities of designated regulatory agencies under Part 5 of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act.

Reference Bulletin on government participation in environmental assessment (552.02 KB)

This Reference Bulletin outlines the Review Board’s options to obtain information from governments, and:

  • discusses the important role of government information in the Review Board’s environmental impact assessment process
  • offers good-practice guidance on how government departments can participate to share their information and expertise effectively
  • gives the Review Board’s view on how such practices contribute to good government decision-making and promote responsible development in the Mackenzie Valley.

Reference Bulletin on consultation and engagement in environmental impact assessment (424.56 KB)

Reference bulletin on consultation and engagement in environmental impact assessment: Understanding the Review Board's responsibilities for statutory consultation

Reference Bulletin on Development Certificates Feb 2021 (2.37 MB)

This document:

• outlines the MVRMA amendments relevant to development certificates,

• describes roles and responsibilities for the Review Board and other agencies and organizations,

• explains how development certificates will be integrated into existing environmental assessment and environmental impact review  processes in the Mackenzie Valley and

• discusses the steps that the Review Board may take to further prepare for the coming into force of development certificates.

The Ten-Day Pause Period for Preliminary Screenings (280.61 KB)

With the enactment of Bill C-88, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board has published a reference bulletin explaining the ten-day pause period for preliminary screening decisions.

Adequacy Review Reference Bulletin 2015 (344.07 KB)

Preliminary Screenings Conducted by Governments and First Nations as Developers (481.96 KB)

Subsection 124(2) of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act describes the developments which do not attract screening under the Preliminary Screening Requirement Regulations but which must still undergo preliminary screening because of land claim requirements. This Reference Bulletin addresses the legal and operational considerations relevant to the application of ss.124 (2) of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act .

Operational Interpretation of Key Terminology (1.38 MB)

Certain key terms in Part Five of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act have proven problematic to practitioners and parties involved in the environmental impact assessment process. This reference bulletin is intended to clarify to others how the Review Board interprets some of these terms. These interpretations do not indicate any change in the Review Board's approach to environmental assessment.

MVRMA Amendments Reference Bulletin- April 30, 2014 (233.04 KB)

This is a reference bulletin for the MVRMA Amendments- April 30, 2014.