The Province of British Columbia has issued an intentions paper
on identifying contaminated sites. Among other things, the Province
proposes to substantially change the role of local governments in
the contaminated site identification process. Comment period on the
intentions paper expires on July 31, 2016. Local
governments should take note of the proposed changes and consider
providing input to the Province.
The intentions paper can be viewed at the following link: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/site-remediation/contaminated-sites/cs-e-link-recent-messages
Currently, if a site has been used for a certain commercial or
industrial activity (listed in Schedule 2 to the Contaminated
Sites Regulation), a site profile form must be submitted to a
local government upon subdivision, development or development
variance permit, zoning, demolition or soil removal. If the site
may be contaminated, the local government approval is
"frozen" until one
