Environmental Assessment Office Overview
Purpose of the EAO
The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) was created in 1995 to coordinate the assessment of proposed major projects in British Columbia
as required under the Environmental Assessment Act. This role was preserved for the EAO when government proclaimed the new British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act (BCEAA) in December 2002.
The BCEAA establishes the framework for a comprehensive, predictable, open, accountable, integrated, timely and neutrally
administered environmental assessment process for a wide variety of major development proposals in British Columbia. The process
is intended to support provincial goals for sustainability by ensuring that approved projects can be constructed in a manner
that minimizes adverse effects, to the extent possible, while contributing economic and social benefits over the long term.
The environmental assessment process examines major development proposals for potentially adverse environmental, economic,
social, health and heritage effects that may occur during the life cycle of these proposed projects, including construction,
operation and decommissioning. The process includes:
- opportunities for First Nations, local government and government agencies and all interested parties to provide input and
identify issues;
- consultations with First Nations to address, and where appropriate accommodate, potential effects on established and asserted
aboriginal rights and title;
- technical studies of environmental, social, economic, heritage and/or health effects to identify potentially adverse effects
of a proposed project;
- strategies to prevent, or reduce, adverse effects through mitigation or project redesign; and
- development of a comprehensive environmental assessment report summarizing input and findings that may include recommendations
on whether to issue an environmental assessment certificate for a project.
Project certification, determined by ministers at the conclusion of an environmental assessment, represents government's approval
in principle and allows a proponent to seek any other statutory authorizations necessary to proceed with the development of
a project.
Issues or concerns identified by provincial, federal and local governments, First Nations and the public may trigger modifications
or changes to a project as it moves through the environmental assessment process. Proponents also have specific accountabilities
in the review process to provide information on their projects and work to reduce the level of project impact.
Projects in the following sectors that meet or exceed the size thresholds established in the Reviewable Projects Regulation
(B.C. Reg 370/2002) are automatically subject to the Act: industrial, mining, energy, water management (dams, dykes, and reservoirs),
waste disposal, food processing, transportation and tourism (destination resorts).
Project proponents may also apply to have their project reviewed under the Act, and the Minister has the discretion to require
the assessment of other projects where there is a compelling public interest to do so.
Major projects subject to the BCEAA may also be reviewable under the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. To minimize duplication and overlap, Canada and British Columbia agreed in the Canada/British Columbia Agreement on Environmental
Assessment Cooperation (2004) to coordinate information requirements, use provincial time limits and issue a joint assessment
report wherever possible, while retaining their respective decision-making powers.
During an assessment, the EAO obtains valuable advice from other provincial ministries, such as the Ministry of Environment,
Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources, Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, and
the Ministry of Community Services on technical and policy considerations within their respective mandates.
Vision, Mission and Values
Vision
Environmentally and socially responsible development that contributes to a strong and vibrant economy in British Columbia.
Mission
The EAO delivers a timely and integrated process for assessing the environmental, social, heritage, economic and health effects,
and potential impacts to First Nations' claims to aboriginal rights and title, of major projects in British Columbia, reports
the findings of environmental assessment reviews to government and may make recommendations regarding project certification.
Values
The EAO respects First Nations interests and cultural values and seeks to engage First Nations in a meaningful way in the
environmental assessment process. The process is intended to be balanced, open and inclusive, providing opportunities for
meaningful participation by all stakeholders.
The EAO relies on science and results-based standards wherever possible, encourages innovation and creativity, and values:
- Cooperation and teamwork.
- Respect for the opinions of others.
- Honesty and integrity.
- Service excellence.
- A healthy workplace.
- Accountability to the people of British Columbia.