Dr. Steve Bonnell

Steve J. Bonnell

Adjunct Faculty

Email: stephen.bonnell@canada.ca

Phone: 709-682-4192

Dr. Steve Bonnell  is the Manager of Strategic and Regional Environmental Assessments with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, based in St. John’s NL.

He has over 20 years experience in planning, managing and completing environmental assessments (EAs) and associated environmental studies, consultation programs and permitting for proposed developments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere. This has included projects in the oil and gas, mining, electricity, transportation and other sectors, for which he has held various roles in both government and in industry (as proponent and consultant). He also has experience in Indigenous engagement and negotiation initiatives related to resource development and management.

Education

  • PhD, School of the Environment,  the University of Dundee, Scotland (2016)
  • MA Geography, Memorial University (1998)
  • BA (Hons), Geography, Memorial University (1995)

Research Interests

His research interests relate primarily to exploring how EA participants in general – and proponents in particular – “behave” during EA review processes, including when, how and why developers view and use the EA process as a valuable planning exercise rather than simply as a permitting step and required regulatory approval. This includes evaluating how involvement in the EA process affects project plans and designs, as well as influencing the perspectives, objectives and values of those that participate in it.

Projects

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

  • Manager, Strategic and Regional Environmental Assessments,  July 2018 – Present
  • Responsible for the Agency’s National Regional and Strategic Assessment Program, including the planning, design and completion of a Regional Assessment for oil and gas exploratory drilling and associated activities off Eastern Newfoundland, the first completed under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA 2012).

 

Amec Foster Wheeler Environment & Infrastructure (currently Wood plc)

  • Practice Leader, Environmental Assessment and Regulatory, September 2011 – July 2018
  • Responsible for planning, managing and completing EAs and associated environmental studies (physical, biological, socioeconomic), consultation programs and post-EA approvals for proposed developments throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and elsewhere, including projects in the oil and gas, mining, electricity and other sectors.
  • Provided senior advice and review functions for the company’s EA work across Canada and internationally, and served as co-chair and lead Canadian representative on the company’s global EA professional practice network.
  • Frequently called upon as an expert advisor and speaker on regulatory issues by proponents, industry associations and others.

 

Nalcor Energy – Lower Churchill Project

  • Environmental Assessment Lead (Transmission) , March 2007 – August 2011
  • Responsible for managing the EA of the Labrador – Island Transmission Link, an 1,100 km on-land and subsea HVdc transmission line project extending from Central Labrador (Muskrat Falls) to Eastern Newfoundland.
  • This included overall responsibility for: developing and implementing the Project’s EA and regulatory strategy; planning and preparing the multi-volume Environmental Impact Statement; designing and managing the associated environmental baseline study program; managing large interdisciplinary teams of environmental consultants and staff; interfacing with provincial and federal regulatory agencies; coordinating Indigenous, public and stakeholder consultation programs; leading the development of associated environmental protection and compliance strategies and other regulatory initiatives; and briefing and advising Executive on key issues and risks.

Teaching

  • Geography 4410 – Environmental Assessment (Research Seminar in Resources)
  • Business 5020 – Topics in Resource-Based Industries Management

Selected Publications

  • Bonnell, S. and K. Storey. (2000). “Addressing cumulative effects through strategic environmental assessment: A case study of small hydro development in Newfoundland, Canada.” Journal of Environmental Assessment Policy and Management, 2(4): 477-499.
  • Bonnell, S., Leeder, C. and R. Pottle. (2002). “Assessing the cumulative environmental effects of the Trans Labrador Highway (Red Bay to Cartwright): Methods, challenges and lessons.” In: A. J. Kennedy (ed.). Cumulative Environmental Effects Management: Tools and Approaches. pp. 395-410. Calgary, Alberta, Canada: Alberta Society of Professional Biologists.
  • Bonnell, S. (2003). “Environmental assessment of forestry in Canada.” The Forestry Chronicle, 79(6): 1067- 1070.

Select Presentations and Articles

  • Bonnell, S (2018) “Regional environmental assessment: Purpose, application, outcomes, key considerations”. Presentation to the Federal–Provincial-Territorial Environmental Assessment Administrators Forum. Ottawa, ON. October 4, 2018.
  • Bonnell, S (2018) “Environmental assessment as “planning” vs. “permitting”: Issues, opportunities and insights from theory and practice”. Public Seminar – Environmental Policy Institute, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland. Corner Brook, NL. March 16, 2018.
  • Bonnell, S (2017) “Environmental assessment of oil and gas exploration: Processes, challenges and opportunities”. Invited Speaker at the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry Association (NOIA) 2017 Conference. St. John’s, NL. June 20, 2017.
  • Bonnell, S (2017) “Project EA scoping in an SEA context: A case study of offshore oil and gas exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.” IAIA 2017: 37th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Montreal, QC. April 6, 2017.
  • Bonnell, S (2017) “Decision-making about strategic environmental assessment: An investigation of potential SEA use in corporate strategic planning.” IAIA 2017: 37th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Montreal, QC. April 6, 2017.
  • Bonnell, S (2017) “Oil and gas exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador: Plans, process, potential – Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of environmental regulatory reviews”. Keynote Address at the Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industry Association (NOIA) 2017 Annual General Meeting. St. John’s, NL February 2, 2017.
  • Bonnell, S (2016) “Assessing and managing cumulative environmental effects: Concepts, challenges and lessons.” Invited Speaker at Indigenous Consultation Atlantic Conference, The Canadian Institute Membertou, NS. November 9, 2016.
  • Bonnell, S (2016) “Going beyond environmental regulatory requirements: Key drivers, enablers and impediments for voluntary environmental planning and mitigation initiatives by corporations.” NewLEEF 2016: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Economy Conference. St. John’s, NL October 12, 2016.
  • Bonnell, S (2016) “Environmental assessment – Issues, opportunities and lessons from practice. Presentation to the Expert Panel, Review of Federal EA Processes in Canada. St. John’s, NL October 5, 2016.
  • Bonnell, S (2015) “Decision-making about strategic environmental assessment: An investigation of potential SEA use in corporate strategic planning.” NewLEEF 2015: Newfoundland and Labrador’s Green Economy Conference. St. John’s, NL. October 8, 2015.
  • Bonnell, S (2015). “Environmental assessment of proposed energy developments in Western Newfoundland”. Energy West Symposium. Corner Brook, NL. September 24, 2015.
  • Bonnell, S (2015) “Environmental assessment of linear developments: Identifying and managing induced actions and effects” Environmental Concerns in Rights of Way Management – ROW 11 International Symposium. Halifax, NS September 22, 2015.
  • Bonnell, S. (2015). “Environmental assessment as a planning tool for oil and gas activities” NOTES 2015: NEIA Oil Industry and the Environment Seminar. St. John’s, NL. April 27, 2015.
  • Bonnell, S (2015). “Environmental assessment as a design tool: Enablers, impediments, lessons.” IAIA 2015: 35th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Florence, Italy. April 20-24, 2015.
  • Bonnell, S. (2015). “Decision-making about strategic environmental assessment: An investigation of potential SEA use in corporate strategic planning.” IAIA 2015: 35th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Florence, Italy. April 20-24, 2015.
  • Bonnell, S. (2014). “Environmental planning, mitigation and monitoring: Approaches and lessons from recent projects and practice” Session chair and invited speaker at NewLEEF 2014: Newfoundland and Labrador Environment and Economy Forum. St. John’s, NL. October 9-10, 2014
  • Bonnell, S. (2014). “Environmental assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador: Experiences, observations and insights from recent practice.” Environmental Assessment Practioners’ Forum, Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association. St. John’s, NL. February 6, 2014.
  • Bonnell, S. (2013). “Environmental assessment of oil and gas projects in Newfoundland and Labrador” Newfoundland & Labrador Oil & Gas Industries Association – NOIA News. 27 (4): 24-25. (December 2013).
  • Bonnell, S. (2013). “Environmental assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador: Experiences, observations and insights from recent practice.” NewLEEF 2013: Newfoundland and Labrador Environment and Economy Forum. St. John’s, NL. October 10-11, 2013.
  • Bonnell, S. (2013). “Introduction to Aboriginal groups and consultation requirements in Newfoundland and Labrador.” Aboriginal Consultation Roundtable – Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industry Association. St. John’s, NL. September 18, 2013.
  • Bonnell, S. (2013). “Decision-making about strategic environmental assessment: Potential SEA adoption and application in corporate strategic planning.” 33rd Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Calgary, AB. May 13-16, 2013.
  • Bonnell, S. and T. Burlingame (2013). “Environmental assessment scoping: Some methodological and structural issues”. 33rd Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Calgary, AB. May 13-16, 2013.
  • Bonnell, S (2013). “Environmental assessment of mining projects and other resource developments in Labrador: Processes, benefits, challenges, opportunities”. Invited Speaker at Northern Exposure 2013 – Labrador Opportunity Conference. St. John’s, NL. January 24, 2013.
  • Bonnell, S (2012). “Environmental assessment of oil and gas exploration activities in Newfoundland & Labrador”. 7th International Symposium on Oil & Gas Resources in Western Newfoundland. Corner Brook, NL. September 13, 2012.
  • Bonnell, S. (2011). “Application of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act to proposed electricity infrastructure projects: Issues and opportunities”. Invited Speaker at Canadian Electricity Association – Generation Council Regulatory Workshop. Vancouver, BC. March 1, 2011.
  • Bonnell, S. and R. Pottle. (2005). “Assessing and managing the environmental effects of road-induced actions: A case study of the Trans Labrador Highway.” Annual Meeting of the Atlantic Division of the Canadian Association of Geographers. St. John’s, NL. October 15, 2005.
  • Bonnell, S., Biasutti, M., Chaulk, K. and J. Botsford. (2005). “Environmental assessment and environmental management of the Voisey’s Bay Mine / Mill.” 25th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. May 31-June 3, 2005.
  • Bonnell, S. and R. Pottle. (2005). “Assessing and addressing the cumulative environmental effects of induced actions: A case study of the Trans Labrador Highway.” 25th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Boston, Massachusetts, USA. May 31-June 3, 2005.
  • Bonnell, S., Leeder, C. and R. Pottle. (2003). “Considering induced actions in cumulative effects assessment: A case study of the Trans Labrador Highway.” Environmental Impact Assessment and Transportation Conference of the Western and Northern Canada Affiliate of the International Association for Impact Assessment. Yellowknife, NWT. March 6-7, 2003.
  • Bonnell, S. and C. Leeder. (1998). “Environmental assessment in Newfoundland and Labrador.” The NEIA Network. Fall 1998.
  • Bonnell, S. and C. Leeder. (1998). “Construction activities: Planning for environmental assessment.” St. John’s Board of Trade – Business News, 13(10): 28-29.
  • Bonnell, S. (1998). “Sectoral cumulative effects assessment.” Cumulative Effects Assessment: A Workshop for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. January 26-29, 1998. St. John’s, NL. The Banff Center for Management.
  • Bonnell, S. (1997). “Addressing cumulative environmental effects through integrated resource planning.” Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association of Geographers. St. John’s, NL. August 20-23, 1997.
  • Bonnell, S. (1997). “The cumulative environmental effects of proposed small-scale hydroelectric developments in Newfoundland, Canada.” 17th Annual Conference of the International Association for Impact Assessment. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. May 28-31, 1997.