DATE ISSUED: Apr. 16, 2019

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 2019

The BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) has completed the 2019 annual update to Area-based Analysis (ABA). These changes come into effect on May 1, 2019.

The status of Riparian Reserve Zones in the northeast largely remains the same. In total, 45 water management basins are status normal, 22 are enhanced management and two are regulatory policy.

There is no significant change to Old Growth Management Areas (OGMA). 191 OGMA are ABA Status normal and 49 OGMA are regulatory policy. In addition, there is no change to ABA Old Forest with Boreal Plains, Northern Boreal Mountains and Boreal Foothills remaining ABA status normal, and Omineca, Wet Mountains and Wet Trench remaining enhanced management.

There are no new Ungulate Winter Range or Wildlife Habitat Areas in the Peace region. 323 wildlife areas are status normal, 21 are enhanced management and 46 are regulatory policy.

ABA is an operational program which monitors incremental cumulative disturbance on the land base from multiple sectors. In effect for four years, ABA supports the consideration of cumulative effects in decision-making, and helps to identify development risks and promote applicable mitigation development in areas of potential sensitivity.

In 2017, ABA transitioned to a two-tier program which takes into account field-based analysis in addition to desktop analysis. This allows the Regulator to consider detailed information on the ground, understand cause and effect and practice continuous operational improvement and decision-making.

ABA status information is available as industry shapefiles on the Regulator’s ABA web page. In addition, the information will be published in online reports by May 1. Additional information regarding ABA can be found in Supplementary Information for Area-based Analysis. Applicants are reminded that all ABA enhanced management and regulatory policy areas should be mapped on construction plans and any new disturbance in these areas requires a Mitigation Strategy signed by a Qualified Professional.

Aligned with our commitment to safe and responsible energy resource management for British Columbia, the Regulator continues to consider the inclusion of additional values and assessment protocols into ABA process as we monitor and meaningfully engage with Provincial initiatives.

Status information for 2019 follows in Backgrounder.

If you have any questions regarding this Industry Bulletin, please contact:

Jacqueline Howard
Environmental Stewardship
BC Energy Regulator

Jacqueline.Howard@bcogc.ca
250-419-4496

Water Management Basins Classified as Enhanced Management

Blueberry River, Lower Fort Nelson River, Lower Pine River, Moberly River, Cache Creek, Lower Halfway River, Lower Prophet River, Murray River, Cameron River, Lower Kiskatinaw River, Lynx Creek Sukunka River, Chinchaga River, Lower Liard River, Middle Beatton River, Upper Pine River, Doig River, Lower Muskwa River, Middle Fort Nelson R., Kyklo River, Lower Peace River, Milligan Creek

Water Management Basins Classified as Regulatory Policy

Pouce Coupe River, Upper Peace River

OGMA Classified as Regulatory Policy

FSJ_DC_bea_01 FSJ_DC_gwi_01 FSJ_DC_kis_22 FSJ_DC_ois_11 FSJ_DC_bea_02 FSJ_DC_gwi_05 FSJ_DC_kis_23 FSJ_DC_ois_15 FSJ_DC_bea_06	FSJ_DC_hhp_12 FSJ_DC_lmo_03 FSJ_DC_pug_05 FSJ_DC_bel_01 FSJ_DC_kin_01 FSJ_DC_lmo_05 FSJ_DC_pug_09 FSJ_DC_bel_04 FSJ_DC_kin_06	FSJ_DC_lmo_12 FSJ_DC_bel_04 FSJ_DC_kin_06 FSJ_DC_lmo_12 FSJ_DC_dck_05 FSJ_DC_kin_11 FSJ_DC_ois_07 FSJ_DC_umo_18 FSJ_DC_dck_07
FSJ_DC_gwi_09 FSJ_DC_kis_27 FSJ_DC_pbo_13 FSJ_DC_bea_08 FSJ_DC_gwi_11 FSJ_DC_lmo_02 FSJ_DC_ppa_15 FSJ_DC_bea_09 FSJ_DC_sep_03	FSJ_DC_red_01 FSJ_DC_dck_02 FSJ_DC_kin_07 FSJ_DC_lmo_13 FSJ_DC_red_09 FSJ_DC_dck_03 FSJ_DC_kin_10 FSJ_DC_ois_04	FSJ_DC_kis_04 FSJ_DC_ois_09 FSJ_DC_wap_06 FSJ_DC_dck_08 FSJ_DC_kis_07 FSJ_DC_ois_10 FSJ_DC_wap_12 FSJ_DC_dck_11

Wildlife Areas Classified as Enhanced Management

9-058 9-121 9-141 9-066 9-125 9-097 9-04

9-105 9-135 9-052 9-117 9-140 9-134

u-9-001_SPE-013 u-9-004_GR-009 u-9-001_SPE-002 u-7-005_E-001

u-9-001_SPE-015 u-9-002_SPC-009 u-9-002_SPC-047 u-9-002_SPC-018

Wildlife Areas Classified as Regulatory Policy

9-033 9-104 9-119 9-130 9-143 9-100 9-034 9-109 9-120 9-131 9-144 9-099 9-118

9-049 9-110 9-122 9-132 9-060 9-111 9-123 9-133 9-063 9-112 9-124 9-136 9-129

9-067 9-113 9-126 9-137 9-070 9-115 9-127 9-138 9-073 9-116 9-128 9-139 9-142

u-9-002_SPC-001 u-9-004_GR-007 u-7-006_S-008 u-7-005_E-002 u-9-004_GR-017 u-9-002_SPC-017 u-9-004_GR-024