Overview of Environmental Assessment in BC

Presentation to theProfessional Economists Association of BC

November 28, 2013

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1. Provide an overview of the EA process2. Discuss key business drivers and priorities

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Purpose of the Presentation

Overview of the EA process

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Vision: Vibrant communities, healthy environment and a prosperous economy.

Mission: EAO leads neutral and respected environmental assessment process that is inclusive and transparent,

contributing to BC’s economic, social, and environmental sustainability.

BC Environmental Assessment Office

What is an EA?Comprehensive assessment of a proposed project to identify:

1. potential adverse environmental, economic, social, heritage and health effects

2. measures to prevent or reduce adverse effects

Results in well-informed and timely decision-making that supports sustainable development

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Common Characteristics of EA Projects• Typically large scale• Potential for significant adverse effects

in the absence of mitigation measures

• Public, First Nations, government, industry interests

• Plurality of perspectives• Complex issues

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Steps in the EA• Step 1: Is an EA required?

– Three ways: 1) Reviewable Project Regulation, 2) Minister designates a project, or 3) Proponent requests EA.

• Step 2: What does the EA look like?– What are the project components and how will the EA be done?

• Step 3: What information and studies are required?– Identify valued components, studies, and methods, and provide

first opportunity for public consultation• Step 4: Proponent builds the Application

– Company gathers the required information, conducts the required studies, and assembles its application

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Steps in the EA• Step 5: EAO reviews the Application

– First legislated timelines: • 30 days to determine if Application includes necessary

information/analysis; • 180 days to review Application and develop an Assessment

Report summarizing potential impacts and conclusions– Second opportunity for public consultation

• Step 6: Ministers make a decision– Ministers can: 1) issue an EA Certificate, 2) refuse to issue EA

Certificate or 3) order further assessment– 45-day time limit

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Post Environmental Assessment

• If EA Certificate issued, then:o Project proceeds to permittingo Construction of Projecto Compliance and enforcement by EAO and other

provincial agencies (e.g. Ministries, OGC)

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Investigative PermittingDecisions by

agencies based on project proposal

Environmental Assessment (EA)

EAO designs and conducts objective EAs,

reaches conclusions, and provides

recommendations to Ministers

Decision on EA Certificate is made by

Ministers based on conceptual project

design

Environmental assessment certificate conditions set framework for project approvals, permits and

implementation

Compliance and

Effectiveness Management

Project implementation

Permitting Decisions by

agencies based on detailed

project design

Project Development Framework

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Key Business Drivers and Priorities

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• BC Jobs Plan – focus on building a strong economy and developing 8 key industries:o Agrifoods, forestry, international education, mining, natural

gas, technology, tourism, transportation• Clear government focus on liquid natural gas (LNG).• EAO review under Ministry mandate letter:

o Review in initial stages. o Guiding principles: provide certainty to all participants,

maintain integrity of the EA process, focus on continuous improvement.

Policy Context: Government Priorities & EA Review

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Working with the Federal Government• The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency conducts

environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012).

• In the past there has been duplication and overlap.• BC has advocated for more effective and efficient alignment for many

years - goal of “one project, one assessment.”• CEAA 2012 provides new tools for reducing duplication:

o Substitution: Canada substitutes BC’s process for its own. Single process, two decisions, and

o Equivalency: Canada determines BC’s process equivalent to its own. Single process, single decision.

Focus on Substitution • BC is first province in Canada to obtain substitution from Canada

(MOU implemented in March 2013).• Under substitution, Canada retains substantive aspects of Aboriginal

consultation.• To date, the federal government has approved all of EAO’s five

requests for substitution:o Carbon Creek Coal Mine, near Hudson's Hope;o Sukunka Coal Mine, near Chetwynd and Tumbler Ridge;o Echo Hill Coal Mine, near Tumbler Ridge;o LNG Canada Export Terminal Project, near Kitimat; ando Arctos Anthracite Coal Project, near Iskut.

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Substitution ProcessThree Phases:

1. EAO and the Agency work together closely before a substitution decision and immediately thereafter (e.g. determining the scope of the EA; Aboriginal groups to be consulted).

2. Following the Agency’s notice of commencement and notice of substitution decision, EAO will conduct the substituted EA independently, keeping the Agency apprised of key milestones and issues.

3. EAO and the Agency work together closely to finalize the EA and refer to federal and provincial Ministers for decision.

Key benefit: participants engage in a single process. 15

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EAO LNG Strategies• Currently reviewing 10 LNG projects, with more expected to

enter ($50 billion + capital investment in LNG alone).• Single EAO team dedicated to LNG projects to provide consistency to

reviews. About 1/3 of EAO staff.

• Created a senior level inter-agency LNG Regulatory Working Group to address strategic issues early in the process (air quality, GHG, etc).

• Memorandum of Understanding with the Oil and Gas Commission to provide a seamless approach to permitting if an environmental assessment certificate is issued.

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Enhancement of Compliance and Enforcement • Office of the Auditor General: EAO’s oversight of certified

projects was insufficient (July 2011).• EAO’s response a top priority: all recommendations have been

addressed and completed. • Focus has been on building a comprehensive program built on

best practices from leading jurisdictions and complements existing expertise in other agencies.

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Compliance and EnforcementProgram Goal: • EAO is independently and objectively confident that certificate

conditions are being met.

Key Actions:• New, dedicated Compliance and Enforcement team with field

presence.

• Conducted 37 site inspections and 1 audit since 2011/12.

• Public reporting on compliance, including a compliance website and service plan measures.

• Focus on measurable and enforceable conditions.

Paul Craven, Executive Director, Policy and Quality AssuranceEnvironmental Assessment Office

Phone: (250) 387-6748Email: Paul.Craven@gov.bc.ca

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