The Environmental Assessment Office plays an important role in British Columbia by delivering a thorough, timely and integrated environmental assessment review process that promotes the provincial goal of sustainability by protecting the environment and fostering a sound economy.

Recent reforms to the environmental assessment process to streamline and customize review procedures are beginning to demonstrate increased business and industry confidence. More proponents are entering the process voluntarily and new provincial timelines are providing process certainty. Changes to the process are intended to contribute to the government's strategic priorities for an improved investment climate while preserving high environmental standards.

I am pleased to present the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office's Annual Report for the period April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004. The purpose of this report is to facilitate the public's understanding of the core business of the Environmental Assessment Office, the resources it employs and its progress towards achieving performance targets outlined in the Environmental Assessment Office's Service Plan 2003/04 to 2005/06.

I look forward to the future as the Environmental Assessment Office monitors the implementation of the Environmental Assessment Act and we continue to improve the way that environmental assessment is done in this province.

Honourable George Abbott
Minister of Sustainable Resource Management
and Minister Responsible for the Environmental Assessment Office