Services
Azimuth provides a wide variety of services including, but not excluded to the following.
The Class Environmental Assessment is a step wise planning process used for the evaluation and approval of infrastructure projects such as sewage treatment plants, potable water supplies, highways, electrical transmission facilities. The process adheres to the requirements of the Environmental Assessment (EA) Act to evaluate the need for the project, alternatives to the undertaking, alternative methods of completing the undertaking, evaluation and selection of the preferred alternative and public and approval agency consultation.
Azimuth routinely completes fisheries and aquatic existing conditions reports, and impact assessments for private landowners, developers, municipalities, and the provincial government (e.g. MNR, MTO) in order to secure fisheries approvals from Conservation Authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Parks Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR).
Remediation of brownfields is required when contamination threatens the integrity of the natural environment and can be required when property use or ownership changes. More recently, legislative changes (O.Reg. 153/04) necessitate evaluation for some municipal rezoning (i.e., property redevelopment) even though the site is pristine. The scope of cleanups is regulated under O.Reg. 153/04, and depends on the type of contaminant, the physiography of the site, its proximity to sensitive receptors and ground water availability . Successful completion of a cleanup can be acknowledged by the Ministry of the Environment in a Record of Site Condition (RSC). Azimuth has successfully completed numerous RSC applications for our clients.
Azimuth works with owners and operators to make plans turn into reality, within the constraints of environmental legislation. Legislation controls aspects such as buffer distances from natural areas, preservation of wetlands, water taking, sewage treatment and drinking water treatment.
The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Act requires that any development proposal that is within or in proximity to a significant natural heritage feature must complete a Natural Heritage Evaluation (NHE). The NHE is a comprehensive assessment of the existing natural features (e.g., biotic communities, ground water, geologic) that must comply with the technical requirements of the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan.
Aggregate pits and rock quarries are handlers of water, not water consumers. Despite being a relatively “clean” industry, the aggregate community is coming under increasing environmental scrutiny as a result of increased public awareness and conflicts with other land uses. As well, there is pressure from Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of the Environment, local Conservation Authorities and municipalities to ensure that potential environmental impacts are understood, predicted and mitigated as much as possible.
Throughout our history, Azimuth's terrestrial biologists have conducted a range wildlife studies including.
Environmental approvals have become a standard requirement for development approvals, and cross the boundaries of traditional environmental studies. In many cases, municipalities are requesting confirmation that development proposals meet the complex requirements from the combination of municipal, provincial and federal legislation.