Environmental Management and First Nation Community’s

Environmental management refers to our ability to manage activities in a way that will reduce the effects we have on our natural setting. Comprehensive community planning integrates the concepts of environmental management into the decision making process by considering the location of new developments in relation to special places, sensitive areas and the rest of the community.

You can demonstrate sound environmental management by completing an environmental assessment prior to undertaking a new project. An environmental assessment can be used as a planning tool to assist you in the following ways:

1. Identify the most suitable location for your proposed development
2. Identify operational environmental issues that may arise once your development is complete.
3. Identify opportunities for making your development more environmentally friendly.
4. Help you to plan for solid waste disposal issues.
5. Consider the ability of existing infrastructure to support the development.

• For instance can the water treatment plant support the increased demand if a new building is constructed?
• Can the sewage disposal system handle the increase load?

MCA Environmental Management (MCA) provides assistance to organizations to help them achieve their environmental management and communication objectives both internally and externally. MCA works closely with First Nation Communities to determine their own goals and objectives while strategizing the implementation of improved environmental management processes.

Development and Implementation

The development of a comprehensive EMS depends on the value of input from the staff expected to implement it. Our unique approach to the development of an EMS involves facilitated group sessions with management and staff. Facilitated sessions ensure ownership by the participants, allowing them to uncover existing policies and procedures that can be easily transferred into an EMS.

The success of an organization's environmental management system (EMS) depends not only on staff "buy in" for implementation, but also suppliers or contractors. We use humor and real life examples to encourage everyone's participation at the implementation phase. The reality of poor environmental management is a hard message, but it can be delivered with humor and easily put into a perspective appreciated by all staff.

Small Facility Audits

The auditing process is useful for risk reduction in various types business practices.  Audits can be used for the following.

Auditing also demonstrates due diligence by ensuring sound environmental management practices are in place and verified by a third party.