DATE ISSUED: June 26, 2019

EFFECTIVE DATE: Immediately

The BC Energy Regulator (Regulator) is making permitting changes as a result of an interim moratorium on new resource development in the vicinity of Mackenzie, Tumbler Ridge and Chetwynd. The two year interim moratorium recently announced by the provincial government became effective June 20, 2019 for areas considered critical to southern mountain caribou recovery.

A map of the interim moratorium areas and shapefiles are available on the provincial government website.

The section of the Order pertaining to oil and gas permitting is:

Oil and gas permits:

5 (1) The Regulator must not, during the deferral period, issue a permit under section 25 of the Oil and Gas Activities Act with an operating area that is entirely or partially within the deferral area.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a permit that relates to any of the following projects:

(a) the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project, as described in and certified by Environmental Assessment Certificate #E14-06 as amended from time to time under the Environmental Assessment Act;

(b) the Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project, as described in and certified by Environmental Assessment Certificate #E14-05 as amended from time to time under the Environmental Assessment Act.

Please note the deferral period also extends to the Regulator’s delegated authority under the Mines Act to issue or amend permits for aggregates.

Also note, routing for the Coastal GasLink pipeline project does not intersect the moratorium areas.

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

Dean Zimmer
Executive Director, Permit Adjudication
BC Energy Regulator

Dean.Zimmer@bcogc.ca
250-794 5278

Scott Wagner
Manager, Aquatic and Terrestrial Habitat
BC Energy Regulator

Scott.Wagner@bcogc.ca
250-419-4348