2002/03 Annual Service Plan Report Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

Year-at-a-Glance Highlights

In 2002/03, the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection produced its first Service Plan in accordance with the amended Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. The Act provides the legislative framework for a regular cycle of planning, reporting and accountability on which all ministries base their annual service plans and reports.

This annual report covers the fiscal year April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003 and reports on the ministry's 2002/03 – 2004/05 Service Plan. This gives the ministry the opportunity to analyze and evaluate how well it has succeeded in aligning its business practices, service delivery, resource capacity and performance with the following strategic cornerstones:

• implementing the government's New Era commitments;
• making the strategic shifts required to move the government toward its long-term objectives;
• achieving the goals and objectives outlined in the ministry's 2002/03 – 2004/05 Service Plan; and
• meeting performance targets.

The intent of the 2002/03 Annual Service Plan Report is to provide the public, stakeholders, legislators and other agencies with meaningful, credible information on the ministry's progress in achieving its vision and mission. It also enables the ministry to explain why certain actions were taken and what the impact of those actions has been.

Some of the ministry's significant actions and achievements over the past year are highlighted below. (See Appendix A for a glossary of terms.)

April 2002

• Conservation projects received funds totalling $5.3 million from the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund to support fish and wildlife conservation projects across British Columbia.
• Funding of $1.5 million was committed for air quality and water quality monitoring equipment to improve monitoring, reporting and enforcement capacity.
• Funding of $300,000 was announced for Bear Aware projects administered by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Northern Bear Awareness Program to reduce conflicts between humans and bears.
• Waste Management Act amendments were introduced to streamline, clarify and reduce the duplication of regulations related to mine site reclamations. The previously existing regulations added to the cost of doing business without providing environmental benefits.
• Staff participated in New Era leadership workshops in support of Public Service Renewal.
• The Deputy Minister attended the 18th meeting of the British Columbia/Washington Environmental Cooperation Council, at which environmental matters of mutual concern between the province and the state of Washington were addressed.

May 2002

• An advisory panel was appointed to carry out a review of the contaminated sites provisions in Part 4 of the Waste Management Act and the Contaminated Sites Regulation. This review was part of the government's commitment to create an efficient, effective performance-based regime that focuses public resources on sites that pose the highest risk to human health and the environment. The panel sought input from citizens and stakeholders as it developed its recommendations.
• An expert panel was appointed to make recommendations on a new management and funding model to ensure the sustainability of fish, wildlife and park recreation opportunities.
• A partnership between the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management resulted in the enactment of the Forest and Range Practices Act. The new Act supports the government's New Era commitment to deliver a results-based Forest Practices Code to accelerate the protection of wildlife habitat.
• A $100,000 grant was announced to establish a chair of conservation biology at Okanagan University College, named in honour of noted environmentalist Dr. Vernon C. "Bert" Brink, to improve scientific knowledge. The grant is an example of the government's commitment to increase research funding for colleges.
• The Georgia Basin-Puget Sound Ecosystem Indicators Report was released, the result of a partnership between this ministry and Environment Canada, Parks Canada, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Ministry of Community, Aboriginal, and Women's Services, and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management.

June 2002

• A community-based Bear Smart program was developed in partnership with the British Columbia Conservation Foundation and the Union of B.C. Municipalities to help reduce conflicts between people and bears.
• The creation of a new provincial park at Wakes Cove on Valdes Island was approved at an open cabinet meeting. The decision supports the government's New Era commitment to ensure that decisions on new parks are made in public.
• The Marmot Recovery Centre on Mount Washington was opened, fulfilling a New Era commitment in support of initiatives to protect species at risk. This was accomplished in partnership with business groups and agencies.
• The ministry partnered with the Ministry of Health Planning and the Ministry of Health Services in developing the Drinking Water Action Plan that establishes accountability for safe drinking water.

July 2002

• A new AOX Regulation was enacted to appropriately limit discharges of adsorbable halides from pulp mills.
• The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund won a North American Waterfowl Management Plan award in recognition of its long-term commitment to wetland conservation. Previous recipients include the United States Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited and the Delta Waterfowl Foundation.
• A new centralized call centre was established to improve public safety. The call centre facilitates responses to conflicts between wildlife and people and to violations of environmental legislation. Public access has been improved, enabling citizens to call with their concerns 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number of calls received from July 16, 2002, to March 31, 2003, totalled 24,121, which is twice that originally projected. All calls are categorized and tracked to provide information for future decision-making and to improve client service. The call centre is operated in partnership between the ministry and the Provincial Emergency Program, which is part of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
• The 2001/02 Annual Report was released, meeting requirements under the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act.

August 2002

• The ministry issued a Request for Information for the provision of campground and day-use park services. This resulted in the negotiation of park management agreements with private-sector operators that will improve service efficiency and recreation offerings.
• Ministry staff across the province were asked for input on a Renewal Strategy in support of the government's Public Service Renewal initiative.

September 2002

• A comprehensive review of the Waste Management Act was launched to support the government's New Era commitment to adopt a science-based, principled approach to environmental management.
• An expert advisory board was appointed to meet the government's New Era commitment to ensure clean, safe drinking water. The board is providing technical advice on groundwater regulations and standards developed as part of the government's Drinking Water Action Plan.
• A $2-million Living Rivers trust fund was announced as an important first step in fulfilling the government's New Era commitment to develop a Living Rivers Strategy to protect and improve waterways. The fund will provide a secure base of funding for rivers-related projects in the long term.
• The Advisory Panel on Contaminated Sites delivered its interim report to the Minister.
• The implementation of a strong, scientific, waste management regulation resulted in the lifting of the aquaculture moratorium. This allowed the creation of new jobs in coastal communities.
• The annual Environmental Award Recipients were named by the Minister. Eight individuals, organizations and businesses were recognized for their contribution to the protection and stewardship of the environment.
• The ministry participated in the annual convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, at which local governments met with the Minister and ministry staff to discuss a wide range of issues.

October 2002

• Public Conservation Assistance Fund grants were awarded to 28 habitat-related projects in the Thompson, Kootenay and Cariboo regions to enhance local biodiversity and encourage community-based stewardship.
• Amendments to the Drinking Water Protection Act were passed to strengthen accountability for the management and delivery of drinking water.
• In support of the government's New Era commitment to oppose the Sumas II energy project and protect the sensitive Fraser Valley airshed, the government filed an appeal with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to rescind the permit that allows the project to proceed.
• The ministry piloted and delivered one-day training courses for ministry staff on integrating risk more systematically into operational and policy decision-making. This resulted in the delivery of five one-day sessions in various locations across the province.

November 2002

• The Recreation Stewardship Panel delivered its final report, recommending a new model for recreational services in the provincial park system. The new model will protect and expand the province's outdoor opportunities while maintaining conservation values.
• A draft of the Coal Bed Methane Code of Practice was developed to encourage the sustainable development of this natural resource.
• A partnership agreement was signed between the ministry's Conservation Officer Service and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and the Esketemc First Nation for a Community Constable Program in the Alkali Lake area. The program will facilitate the provision of fish and wildlife regulation enforcement.
• Toward a Wildlife-Human Conflict Prevention Strategy: A Working Paper was developed and formed the basis for consultations with key communities and stakeholders. The paper sought input for the development of a strategy focused on effectively managing wildlife-human contact in communities and regions. Such a strategy would include a role for the provincial government, while providing opportunities for local governments, First Nations, non-governmental organizations and private individuals to prevent wildlife-human conflicts in their own communities.

December 2002

• The Motor Vehicle Emission Reduction Regulation was repealed. This action was part of a larger effort to eliminate regulatory duplication by harmonizing vehicle and diesel regulations with regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act that meet U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards.
• The Environmental Trends in British Columbia 2002 report was released, providing the public with credible information on key environmental issues and trends.

January 2003

• The first phase of the new recreation stewardship funding model was implemented, resulting in all revenue collected from park, fish and wildlife fees being dedicated to the delivery of services for hunting, fishing and camping.
• Through the efforts of government and industry, the oil product stewardship program was expanded to recycle oil filters and empty oil containers. The program is part of the government's New Era commitment to protect the province's land and water resources.
• The French Creek Watershed Study was released showing the consequences of land-use decisions and promoting the ability of residents to shape the future of the watershed. The study and Web site were produced through a partnership between the ministry and the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, with input from the Regional District of Nanaimo and community members.
• New guidelines were introduced for coal-fired power boiler emissions, setting target limits that are comparable to neighbouring jurisdictions, such as Alberta and Washington state, and which are consistent with the province's energy policy announced in November 2002. The regulations will continue to protect the environment while providing greater certainty to parties interested in using coal-fired power.

February 2003

• The ministry completed consultations with First Nations, key stakeholders and communities throughout British Columbia on a Wildlife-Human Conflict Prevention Strategy. Consultations on the strategy began in November 2002.
• The ministry partnered with the Provincial Emergency Program (PEP) to provide impact assessment analysis during flood incidents. (PEP administers the British Columbia Flood Plan.)
• The Advisory Panel on Contaminated Sites, which reviewed contaminated sites legislation and made recommendations for regulatory change, delivered its final report. This report will be used to develop a new policy framework for the regulation of contaminated sites in British Columbia and will inform subsequent changes to legislation.
• The ministry celebrated the inauguration of the Discover Camping online campground reservation service (operated by the ministry). The service was the result of a partnership with Tourism BC and Parks Canada and is an example of the government's commitment to provide Web-based access to services.
• The 2003/04 – 2005/06 Service Plan was released, summarizing the ministry's current business and priorities as part of the 2003/04 budget documents.

March 2003

• An independent panel of grizzly bear experts confirmed that the ministry's management of grizzly bears is effective and that sound population estimates are being used.
• A new funding and management approach for fish hatchery operations was developed in preparation for the establishment of the Freshwater Fisheries Society of B.C.