B.C. looking to reform environmental assessments for major projects
Environmental assessments for major projects in B.C. could change as the province seeks a "revitalized" process.
In a statement Monday, the province announced it would reform project evaluation to increase public confidence, advance reconciliation with First Nations and to protect the environment "while offering clear pathways to sustainable project approvals."
A Ministry of Environment spokesperson says large industrial, mining, energy, water management, waste disposal, food processing, transportation and resort developments usually require an environmental assessment from the province.
The public will be asked to weigh in on how those assessments are conducted as part of the revitalization.
"I'm looking forward to hearing from British Columbians from every corner of the province on the proposed changes, so we can be sure we get it right," Environment Minister George Heyman said in a statement.
The government says a new assessment process would lead to faster approvals by increasing clarity to proponents.
It also noted the revitalization was called for in the government's Confidence and Supply Agreement with the B.C. Green Party's MLAs.
More specifics needed, expert says
Calvin Sandborn, legal director of the University of Victoria's Environmental Law Centre, says the province's talk of increased First Nations involvement over decision making about resource projects is encouraging.
"It's been broken for a long time," Sandborn told All Points West host Jason D'Souza about the environmental assessment process in B.C.
"I think [reforms] will lead to better projects and actually more viable, more environmentally protected projects."
However, he cautions that the current white paper on the revisions are very general.
More specifics are needed, he said, on what kinds of resource projects are subject to these new assessments. He argues all mines, regardless of size, should be covered as should all gas wells.
He says many mines and wells have been considered too small too trigger assessments under the current system.
Public input into how assessments could be revitalized is being accepted online until July 30.
The government says a report on public input about the revitalization will be released in September.
Listen to the full interview with Calvin Sandborn:
With files from CBC Radio One's All Points West
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