The project was subject to the environmental assessment processes stipulated in section 22 of the James Bay and Northern Québec Agreement (JBNQA), Chapter II of the Québec Environment Quality Act, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

In April 2003, an agreement was signed by the Québec government, the Government of Canada and the Cree Regional Authority to coordinate and harmonize, insofar as possible, the provincial and federal environmental assessment processes for the project. The project was reviewed by both the provincial Review Committee (COMEX), which reports to the Provincial Administrator of the JBNQA, and by the federal Review Panel which reports to the federal Environment Minister.

Main steps in the government approvals process

• November 29, 2002:
  Hydro-Québec and SEBJ file the Project Notification with the relevant authorities
• May to July 2003:
  Public hearings on the Draft Directives for the Preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement are held in Montréal, Chibougamau and the Cree communities of Mistissini, Waskaganish, Nemaska and Chisasibi
• August 14, 2003:
  The Directives for the Preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement are published
• December 20, 2004:
  The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is filed with the authorities and review bodies
• January 31 to April 30, 2005:
  Documented public consultations are held regarding compliance of the EIS with the Directives
• August 2, 2005:
  The review bodies request additional information from Hydro-Québec and SEBJ
• January 17, 2006:
  The requested additional information is provided to the authorities and review bodies in the Supplement to the Environmental Impact Statement
• March 15 to June 9, 2006:
  Public hearings are held in the Cree communities of Mistissini, Nemaska, Waskaganish, Wemindji, Eastmain and Chisasibi, as well as in Chibougamau and Montréal
• October 31, 2006:
  COMEX files its report with the Provincial Administrator of the JBNQA, recommending construction of the project
• November 24, 2006:
  The Provincial Administrator of the JBNQA issues the Certificate of Authorization in accordance with Chapter II of the Environment Quality Act and section 22 of the JBNQA
• November 30, 2006:
  The federal Review Panel files its report with the Minister of the Environment and the relevant authorities, recommending approval of the project
• December 14, 2006:
  Approval is granted by the Governor in Council
• February 2, 2007:
  The federal authorities issue the approvals required under the Fisheries Act and the Navigable Waters Protection Act to build the project

In addition to the approvals obtained upon completion of the environmental impact assessment, other authorizations were needed before construction could begin, including an order authorizing construction of the planned structures and facilities; this was issued on January 4, 2007, by the Québec government, as required by the Hydro-Québec Act.
Mainsteps in the process

During construction, the procedures for enforcing compliance with legislation will continue. The certificate of authorization issued by the Provincial Administrator of the JBNQA under Chapter II of the Environment Quality Act and section 22 of the JBNQA comes with 97 conditions that Hydro-Québec is required to meet. These conditions essentially reflect the COMEX recommendations which are intended to protect the biophysical and social environments affected by the project.

The permit issued by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans under section 35 (2) of the Fisheries Act also imposes several conditions for project construction. These conditions mainly deal with project design and required mitigation and compensation measures, as well as the various follow-up programs that Hydro-Québec must undertake to protect fish habitat.

Furthermore, Hydro-Québec is required to comply with the 70 permits issued by the federal Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities in accordance with section 5 (1) of the Navigable Waters Protection Act; these permits stipulate an average of 15 conditions governing navigability and navigation on the various water bodies affected by the project.

In addition to these major authorizations, during the project phase (2007 to 2012), Hydro-Québec will have to obtain about 1,200 sector-related authorizations required under the Environment Quality Act, Forest Act, Mining Act and Dam Safety Act.

Various committees have been set up to monitor the project’s environmental impacts. These are joint committees made up of representatives of SEBJ, Hydro-Québec and the Cree community.