The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office wants feedback from the public on a newly-proposed expedited process that would cut approval times down by between 15 per cent and two-thirds of the normal time.
The goal, according to the provincial government’s news release, is to review the projects more quickly while still upholding obligations for consulting with First Nations.
The process, which has not yet been adopted, would apply to proposals that are designated under the Infrastructure Projects Act.
“Other proposed major projects designated as provincially significant may also qualify,” the release stated. “The government’s aim in designating projects is to support faster delivery of those projects that bring substantial economic, social or environmental benefits for people in B.C.”
At the moment, the process exists as a discussion paper that will be circulated to First Nations, industry, project proponents, environmental assessment practitioners, local governments and environmental groups for feedback.
The discussion paper and details about how to provide submissions are available at www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/natural-resource-stewardship/environmental-assessments/environmental-assessment-process/act-review.
The public is also invited to provide input on public engagement and other aspects of the proposed expedited process.
Members of the public can fill out a survey until it closes on Monday, April 13, on the EAO’s public engagement website at engage.eao.gov.bc.ca/xEA.
While the accelerated process would speed up projects that require environmental assessments, not every project would require such an assessment. The EAO didn’t require a full assessment of the New Ingerbelle Pit expansion project at the Copper Mountain Mine in 2023, for example.
READ MORE: No need for full environmental review of Copper Mt. Mine expansion: EAO
The proposed process would introduce fixed-phase timelines, shortening the time for a decision to 20 months, from the current standard of three to five years.
In addition to having the designation under the Infrastructure Projects Act, the proposal must have enough studies and engagement already completed to support the shortened review.