Creating a World Leading Spill Response Regime for BC Chris - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Creating a World Leading Spill Response Regime for BC

B.C. Ministry of Environment

Chris Hamilton October 27, 2015 First Nations & Oil Pipeline Development Summit

Outline of Presentation

• Why a new spill response regime?
• What problems are we fixing?
• Who is included
• Design principles
• Next steps

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Why a new spill response regime?

• Forecasted growth of BC economy will see

increased development and transportation of natural resources across all sectors.

• Increased public, local government and First

Nation interest in environmental emergencies and in how both government and industry respond.

• In June 2015, Minister of Environment Polak

announced her intention to create a “world class” spill response regime.

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What problem do we want to fix?

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• Many “risk bringers” have well-organized, regulated

and proven preparedness and response programs.

• Preparedness and response capacity and standards

vary across industries, sectors and areas of the Province.

• Limited current direction on recovery and ecosystem

restoration requirements

• There is an increased demand from communities and

First Nations to be involved in training, education and participation in spill response

What problem do we want to fix? con’t

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• Funding for training, education

and First Nation and community participation in all aspects of spill response and planning.

• We need better

communication, information and collaboration.

• There is limited public trust for

the role of both industry and government to address spills.

What sectors are included?

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• Mines
• Petroleum
• Transportation
• Marine shipping
• Orphaned spills
• Others

Design Principles

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Discussions to date have indicated broad support for a new spill regime with these design principles:

• Polluter pays
• Risk based requirements
• Avoid unnecessary duplication
• Fair and transparent
• Opportunities for Communities and First

Nations in preparedness, response & recovery

• Strong government oversight
• Continuous improvement

Next Steps

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• Staff are currently developing a series of policy
• ptions and questions in preparation for broad

consultation with First Nations, industry and communities to start in January 2016.

• This work will inform a new “options” paper which

will set out specific policy choices and scenarios.

• We are also currently considering broad enabling

legislation for Spring 2016.

• We are preparing a specific proposal for a

comprehensive First Nation engagement program.

Thank you for your time

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