Creating comments that count

The NIRB greatly values public input into its assessments. The following questions were developed by our colleagues at the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Board and provide helpful guidance on developing clear comment submissions for assessments: 

1. What do you value in the proposed project area? 
Values may include specific wildlife species/populations, environmental elements (land, air, water), aesthetics, social/cultural values (trapping, way of life), etc. How do you use or interact with the area?

2. How might those values be affected or impacted by the proposed project, and why? 
Explain how you think these values would be affected if the project goes ahead. How would this be different from the way it is now?

3. Do you have any suggestions for how these effects could be reduced or eliminated? 
Include any measures you believe may lessen project effects, and why you think these measures would be successful.

4. Are your concerns based on your own experience, studies you are familiar with or information passed on to you from someone else? 
This will help assessors consider your information and allow them to follow-up with questions, if necessary.