Public input sought on world-leading provincial spills regime

Press Release

April 5, 2016

The Province is inviting British Columbians to review and comment on a new intentions paper around spill preparedness and response in B.C.

Until June 30, 2016, citizens, stakeholders and First Nations can share their thoughts on the newly proposed legislated requirements for spill planning and preparedness through this website: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/spillresponse

This public engagement period builds on previous stakeholder, industry, First Nations and public consultation on two other spill intentions papers, released in 2012 and 2014.

The previous consultations helped government develop the proposed amendments to the Environmental Management Act – currently before the Legislature – to ensure B.C. has a world-leading spill preparedness and response regime.

Quote:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment –

“We recently introduced amendments to the Environmental Management Act that will, if passed, establish the basis for our world-leading spill preparedness and response regime to move ahead. Now is the right time to re-engage all British Columbians as we build a new path to best prepare and respond to spills.”

Quick Facts:

• The Spill Preparedness and Response in BC: Proposed Amendments to the Environmental Management Act and Proposed Regulations intentions paper summarizes the proposed amendments to the Environmental Management Act.
• The document poses a series of questions on topics such as spill reporting, response times, sampling and monitoring, spill contingency planning, geographic and area response plans and recovery.
• The ministry has designed a five-phase engagement process to discuss the proposed legislative and regulatory changes with industry, communities, First Nations, first responders and the public:
  • Release of the spill response intentions paper
  • Plenary session for industry, local governments, First Nations and other stakeholders
  • Regional meetings with First Nations
  • Technical working groups
  • Final summary paper
• Proposed amendments to the Environmental Management Act reflect the core principles discussed with industry, First Nations, local governments and other stakeholders over the past three years.
• Proposed legislation will:
  • Establish new requirements for spill preparedness, response and recovery.
  • Create new offences and penalties.
  • Enable the certification of a preparedness and response organization.
  • Increase transparency, participation and accountability.

Learn More:

View the Spill Preparedness and Response in BC: Proposed Amendments to the Environmental Management Act and Proposed Regulations intentions paper and provide your comments through the website at: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/spillresponse

Learn more about the proposed amendments to the Environmental Management Act at: http://ow.ly/1097aJ

For more information about B.C.’s spill preparedness and response regime: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/spills-environmental-emergencies/spill-preparedness-and-response-bc

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