Land-based Spill Plan
What was this engagement about?
The Province of British Columbia (BC) is committed to a world leading preparedness and response regime for land based spills, as expressed most recently in BC’s five conditions necessary for support of heavy oil projects. In keeping with the established polluter-pay principle, and recognizing the increase in development activities across the province, the Ministry of Environment (the ministry) reviewed industry funded options for strengthening BC’s spill preparedness and response policies and capacity.
The review addressed three aspects of spill preparedness and response:
- World leading regime for spill preparedness and response
- Effective and efficient rules for restoration of the environment following a spill
- Effective government oversight and coordination of industry spill response
The ministry solicited comments on the proposed intentions paper. The ministry received over 90 submissions in response to an online consultation held by the ministry from industry, government agencies, public-sector organizations, local governments, environmental groups, and members of the public. Feedback received has been compiled and is available here.
Common themes coming from the submissions include the need to build on existing standards to establish consistency across industry sectors and throughout B.C., and the need for improved understanding on the roles of government, industry, communities, First Nations and the public in spill preparation and response standards.
How did my contribution make a difference?
These detailed submissions, combined with subsequent meetings with industry and stakeholders, as well as input from a working group that is under development, will help inform and influence policy development for a world-leading land-based spill preparedness and response regime in B.C.
See what B.C. residents said in the Summary of Public Comments.
Details of the Engagement:
Date: November 1, 2012 – February 15, 2013
Status: Closed
Location: Province-wide
Category: Environmental Protection
Types: Online, Mail