Updates to the Environmental Protection and Management Guideline (EPMG) are being made which support the transition from Area-Based Analysis (ABA) and the implementation of Treaty 8 Planning and Mitigation Measures.
DATE ISSUED: July 2, 2024
EFFECTIVE DATE: Aug. 1, 2024
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is introducing updates to the Environmental Protection and Management Guideline (EPMG). These updates support the transition from Area-Based Analysis (ABA) and the implementation of Treaty 8 Planning and Mitigation Measures.
Environmental Protection and Management Guideline (EPMG) Updates:
The EPMG guides industry through the requirements and processes associated with the Environmental Protection and Management Regulation (EPMR).
- General Updates: These include regulatory changes, reference to new guidance documents, links to current spatial data, revised definitions and current hyperlinks.
- Mitigation Plan Guidance: The changes to mitigation plan guidance include clarification of QPs (Qualified Professionals), content and format requirements.
- Mitigation plans will now require a concise standard table of site-specific commitments.
- Mitigation Plans are now required for all activity in Wildlife Habitat Areas, Ungulate Winter Range, Fisheries Sensitive Watersheds, Old Growth Management Areas and other sensitive areas.
- Planning and Operational Measures (POMs):
- New Planning and Operational Measures for Wetlands, Invasive Species and Soil.
- Updated Riparian POMs.
- New provisions for Fish Habitat Assessments, references to the Joint Professional Practice Guidelines for Sediment and Erosion Control and Invasive Plant Compliance Reports.
- ABA Retirement and Transition:
- The BCER will be retiring Area-based Analysis (ABA) on Aug. 1, 2024 and removing references to ABA in the EPMG
- For additional information, please see Technical Update 2024-04
The Stewardship tab in the Application Management System (AMS) will be updated to reflect EPMG updates and ABA retirement; for additional information please see Technical Update 2024-08.
A presentation to provide training and further information on these updates can be found here: Environmental Management | BC Energy Regulator (BCER) (bc-er.ca)
If you have any questions regarding this Technical Update, please contact:
Nicole Curnow
Director, Environmental Stewardship
BC Energy Regulator
250-661-4820
Katelyn White
Biologist
BC Energy Regulator
250-419-4496