Enviromental Studies

Correct me if I'm wrong but is it not the resposibilty of a company to do an enviromental study to show that a project will not adversly effect the enviroment it plans on doing business on? Is not the resposibility of both the provincial and federal governments to do a revue and or their own enviromental studies before they give the go ahead for projects that are likely to effect the enviroment?

Now if the above statements are true, which by reading Environment Canada's (EC) National Environmental Assessment (EA) Program web site suggests. Why this?

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) has provided $3,750 to Regroupement régional des citoyennes et citoyens pour la sauvegarde de l'environnement(roughly translatted "Regional regrouping of the citizens and citizens for the safeguard of the environment")to support its participation in the environmental assessment of the proposed Alcan Spent Pot Lining (SPL) project. The funding is made available through the Participant Funding Program administered by the Agency.

How many studies do we need before we have the one that say's yay or nay to a project? I know everyone is going to say "It's ONLY $3,750" but as far as I'm concerned, this government waste far too much of tax payers money and every penny counts. And what kind of study can this meager amount provide? Is this just a "lets make them feel good" ploy?

I would love some insight on this one as I am bewildered.