President’s Message
It’s hard to believe that we are already in the last half of January! While it is a little late, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and that your 2026 is off to a great start!
As mentioned previously, CSAP has seen a noticeable decline in the number of submissions this fiscal year compared to previous years. While this trend is concerning, it appears to be consistent with broader economic conditions. To support our financial sustainability, and as noted in the memo circulated on January 5, 2026, CSAP will implement a 5% increase to submission fees for Certificate of Compliance and Approvals in Principle certification documents effective April 1, 2026. This modest increase is the first adjustment to submission fees since 2007 and is intended to help ensure that the Society can continue to deliver high-quality and timely services.
I’m excited to begin a new series in my President’s Message: “Meet the Board.” Our Board of Directors plays an important role in guiding the Society’s direction, ensuring strong governance, and supporting the work of our members. Over the coming months, I’ll be highlighting each Board member so you can learn more about the people who are helping shape CSAP’s path forward. I would like to start with one of the newer members of our Board, Erin Robson, who was elected as a director-at-large in June 2025. Here is a brief bio for Erin:
Erin has been a CSAP member since 2019 and has been part of the BC environmental consulting community for over 25 years. She graduated from Bio-Resource Engineering at UBC in 1998 and pursued her Masters in Hydrogeology (also at UBC) shortly thereafter. She has been employed at SLR Consulting (formerly Seacor) since September 2000. Outside of work, Erin enjoys gardening and running, and recently completed her first marathon in 2025. Erin and her husband Lance have two kids who are now 13 and 14 years old, and as of this year she is officially the shortest member of her household. Erin is our PD Committee chair and has been enjoying working alongside CSAP and the PD committee planning and hosting PD events. She is looking forward to setting up this year’s event calendar with interesting and engaging content.
Please join me in welcoming Erin! She brings valuable experience and positive energy to the Board. I look forward to introducing more of our directors to you in future updates.
Ministry Updates
Site Remediation Services (SRS) Web App Offline
In September, the Site Remediation Program launched the SRS Web App to streamline the site remediation application process. We recognize that the rollout caused confusion and frustration for many CSAP members. The feedback you’ve provided has helped to identify several core functions of the app that are not operating consistently.
Due to these ongoing issues, we are moving the SRS Web App offline for updating effective January 22, 2025. We ask that you now submit all applications by email. All forms are back on the website for your use, and the process for submissions is as it was prior to the launch of the SRS.
We recognize that this represents an abrupt change in process. We appreciate your patience and efforts in adopting the web app over the past 4 months. Our development team is addressing all identified issues, and we will share more information when it becomes available in the months ahead.
Applications
Following a lengthy job action in the fall—lasting eight weeks for half of our program staff and over three weeks for the remainder—all staff returned to work in early November. Since then, applications have been processed systematically.
The Site Remediation Program is now nearly caught up from the temporary slowdown, and we are pleased to report that the job action has not resulted in any lasting impacts to the application backlog. Incoming applications have been gradually increasing as we approach fiscal year-end.
Standards Project
Phase 1 of the sediment standards project was completed successfully, serving both as a pilot study and an important opportunity to renew the partnership between ENV and SABCS. Key achievements include:
- White Paper v3 is now in its final review stage and is expected to be published on the SABCS website by February 2026.
- Strong survey engagement, with approximately 70 participants providing detailed and thoughtful feedback that directly informed our session at the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW) in October 2025.
- Well‑received CEW session, featuring active participation in interactive components: up to 63 participants engaged in live session polls, with an additional 9 participants completing polls through the project’s Dashboard website.
- A robust Technical Working Group, now comprising more than 40 professionals representing provincial and federal government agencies, environmental consulting firms, academia, Indigenous communities, and non‑profit organizations.
Phase 2 of the project (2026) has been approved by SABCS, and work is now underway on a detailed scoping plan. Proposed activities for 2026 include:
- Establishing three focused Technical Working Groups to support core project areas:
- refinement of approaches for developing matrix sediment standards.
- Exploring the potential for an annual fall workshop dedicated to project updates, technical discussions, and stakeholder engagement.
Stay Connected
Site Remediation updates and announcements will be made through the Site Remediation News email subscription service.
Performance Assessment Committee Updates
Questions & Answers
There were three Q&A questions received within the last quarter. The question responses are summarized as follows:
- “A site is located adjacent to a saline lake in BC, what aquatic standards apply?” Aquatic life standards would apply to a saline lake and TG15 specifies in situations where the water is considered transitional between freshwater and marine/estuarine water, the more stringent of freshwater or marine/estuarine standards or guidelines should be applied.
- “In the instance of a commercial building, it is a multi unit primarily occupied by commercial units with a daycare in one unit, and previously the daycare unit had a commercial operation. What is the land use at the site?” The applicable soil standards are based upon the land use on the ground floor, and while the primary purpose is commercial, the applicable soil standards would be residential. It is our understanding that BC ENV considers the most conservative land use over the primary use. Alternately one could establish multiple land uses in accordance with P18.
- “A former operation had a fuel line that extended across multiple property lines and contamination was identified at several areas along the fuel line. The current owner is not the responsible party. Would this be considered area wide contamination?” On the ENV webpage it identifies that a component of area wide contamination is that it has no known historical source and no identifiable responsible person. In this instance as the historical source and responsible person are known, then it would not meet the definition of area wide contamination.
Lessons Learned
- When presenting a site as a flow through site, please include details within both the Summary of Site Condition and submission reports that clearly state that it is a flow through site with rationale.
- It is understood that investigation locations may need to be field fit due to obstructions or infrastructure on site. In these instances where these adjustments have been made, indicate this information in the SoSC as reviewers may not be aware of the obstructions present.
- Natural organics such as biogenic toluene may be considered to be background related, and a similar methodology as defined within P4 and P9 should be followed to demonstrate a local background concentration.
- When hazardous waste concentrations are identified, an investigation following TG1 should be completed to delineate the extent of contamination prior to off-site disposal as this will confirm that contaminated and hazardous soil are directed to the appropriate facilities.
- For future use scenarios, rationale needs to be provided to understand the selection of vapour attenuation factors evaluated.
- For the P13 SLRA questionnaire, confirm that the correct exposure pathway standards are applied. These are specified within the footnotes.
- When listing CoC schedule B conditions, only list risk controls that are necessary to meet risk-based standards. For example, do not list a surface barrier to be present if it is not required.
Reminder: Once a submission is received by CSAP Society, no changes can be made to the technical submission documents, and it cannot be withdrawn.
Detailed Screening Sub-Committee Updates
For the most part, Detailed Screenings conducted since our last Members’ Update have identified a limited number of issues, with no identifiable common issues. We are in our 11th year of conducting Detailed Screenings, and it would seem that most of us are aware of the information that is required in the supporting documentation that is reviewed during a Detailed Screening.
Of note, we understand that a new version of the Summary of Site Condition will be available once the SRS web app is up and running. A preliminary review of the new version suggests that the issues that have plagued us over the years (e.g., referencing Protocol 4 for groundwater, not having enough room to enter the full name of a PCOC/COC) have been resolved! Further, ENV have indicated that it is their goal to include sufficient information on the details required in the form so that an “Annotated SoSC” is no longer required. I’m sure we all look forward to that!
Preliminary Screening
- When issuing cheques for submission fees to CSAP, please include some identifying information so the cheque can be matched to the relevant submission. Site ID’s or Civic Addresses are ideal.
- The applicant for a submission is the person named on the Certification Document Cover Letter and should be consistent across all submission documents, including the Transmittal Letter.
- Please ensure Legal Plans are submitted with the submission documents. The plan should match up with the Legal Description of the site.
- Please make sure Lat/Long coordinates are consistent across submission documents, especially between the Certification Document and SOSC.
- A Communication Record must be submitted as an accompanying document whenever a Notification of Offsite Migration is submitted.
Review Services Sub-committee Updates
As of January 26, 2026, we have received and logged 68 Review Services submissions for the year. Of these, 60 have been reviewed and sent to the Ministry for final review, and 47 of those have had Acknowledgment Letters released.
| Total Submissions |
Sent to ENV |
Review in Progress |
Acknowledgment Letters Received |
| 68 |
60 |
8 |
47 |
Technical Review Committee Updates
The TRC most recently met on November 20, 2025, with additional meetings held with subgroups of the TRC January 2026 to continue work on the Special Projects we have proceeding this year. Additional details on the projects are included below.
- Emerging Contaminants Special Project – The final report for this project, published by Active Earth, is now available on the CSAP website. The purpose of this project was to evaluate emerging contaminants (ECs) with a focus on Schedule 2 uses, and to provide guidance and information to ENV to be used in future amendments to the Contaminated Sites Regulation. A presentation of the project findings will be given at the Spring 2026 CSAP PD workshop.
- Lower Mainland Soil Arsenic Background Concentrations Project – The project builds on the Background Soil Concentrations work completed last year. Its objective is to better characterize arsenic concentrations in the Lower Mainland and assess whether background levels exceed those in ENV Protocol 4 (Table 1) within specific sub-regions. The project was awarded to Core 6 Environmental. Progress was delayed due to ENV job action in the fall and data access challenges. Work is now moving forward. The literature review is complete. Data review is substantially complete. An update meeting was held with the TRC subgroup in January. The final report is expected in March, with results to be presented at the Spring 2026 CSAP PD workshop.
- Road Salt Impacted Soil Management Review – A request for proposal for this work will be issued on February 2, 2026. The purpose of the project is to inform the contaminated sites community in British Columbia on the issues and possible remedies for the management of road salt contaminated soil during development projects and provide practical management options to the BC Ministry of Environment and Parks for future regulatory consideration.
Use of Research & Technical Studies Materials – A reminder that the reports and guidance documents provided on the Research & Technical Studies page are intended solely as guidance resources. They are not Ministry‑endorsed and do not replace regulatory requirements. Members must continue to rely on their professional judgement when using these materials and ensure all decisions and submissions comply with applicable legislation and policy.
Tetraethyl Lead Survey – We have received the results of the TEL survey and are reviewing the results. Many thanks to all the members that took the time to respond. The results will be published in March.
ENV Protocol Engagement – In December and January, CSAP engaged with ENV to review and comment on draft amendments to Protocol 1, Protocol 12, and Protocol 22. ENV will consider comments from TRC and PAC members when finalizing these protocol amendments.
Scholarships – CSAP provides three scholarships per year, totaling $17,000, to applicants enrolled in a science or engineering graduate program with a focus on contaminated sites. CSAP is now accepting applications for the 2026 scholarships, with the deadline being March 31, 2026.
If you have any suggestions for a topic that you would like the TRC to tackle, please send your ideas to [email protected].
Membership Committee Updates
The Membership Committee would like to thank members for logging their Continued Professional Development (CPD) hours for 2025. The Committee is currently working on reviewing membership renewals.
New Members
The Membership Committee is pleased to welcome the newest Approved Professionals to the Society:
- Norlito Cezar (Numerical Standards Approved Professional)
- Gwenn Farrell (Numerical Standards Approved Professional)
- Joline Widmeyer (Risk-based Standards Approved Professional)
- Stephanie Ko (Risk-based Standards Approved Professional)
Request for Examination Development Volunteers
The Membership Committee invites interested APs to put their names forward to volunteer for the examination process.
Request for Exam Developers
The exam development panel will be selected based on relevant experience, a range of locations, and company affiliations.
Exam developer time commitment is as follows:
- Attend a two-hour webinar on April 8 (10 AM to 12 pm). [2 billable hours]
- Write and peer review two exam questions by April 24, write 3 exam questions by June 3. This is a firm deadline; no extensions will be provided. [10 billable hours]
- Attend a 2.5-hour writing workshop on May 5 (Regulatory AM), or May 6. (Risk AM and Numerical PM). [2.5 billable hours]
- Attend a 1.5-day exam development workshop on September 15 & 16 (Regulatory), 17 & 18 (Risk) or 21 & 22 (Numerical). [12 billable hours]
Request for Experience Reviewers
The experience reviewers will review new candidates’ work experience and provide a recommendation. We encourage past and present exam developers to be experience reviewers as well.
Experience reviewer time commitment is as follows:
- Reviewers are paired to review each candidate’s experience presentation. [maximum 4 billable hours per review]
- Reviewers may request additional information from candidates as needed and should conduct interviews if concerns remain and the submitted documents are insufficient to resolve the application. [billable hours will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis]
- Reviewers must provide the results of the experience review within the specified timeline.
The deadline to volunteer for these positions is March 6, 2026.
Please indicate which category of experience reviewer (Numerical, Risk) or exam developer (Regulatory, Numerical, Risk) you are interested in by emailing [email protected].
Note: Availability on the meeting dates noted above is required, and volunteers are restricted to the specified billable hours.
Professional Development Committee Updates
Fall PD Workshop
Thank you to those who attended our Fall PD Workshop on November 12, 2025. We had an amazing turn out with 143 attendees, including 80 CSAP Members/Associate Members and 17 representatives from ENV. A huge thank you to all of the fantastic speakers who made this a very educational and engaging session. Presentations from the event can be found on our Workshops page with the ENV presentations available via the Members Portal.
Lunch and Learn Series
We are hard at work scheduling the line up for the 2026 lunch and learn series. A tentative schedule is posted below, with topics and speakers to be announced soon. If you have a suggestion for a topic or presenter for an upcoming session, please feel free to reach out to CSAP ([email protected]).
Proposed 2026 Lunch and Learn schedule:
Watch for emails with the Zoom links to these sessions. For the most up-to-date details on all Lunch and Learn sessions, bookmark the webpage.
AGM & Spring PD Workshop
Mark your calendar for the AGM and Spring Workshop on June 3, 2026. We will be at the Vancouver Convention Centre – East Building for this event. More details coming soon.
Submission Statistics Update (as of January 19, 2026)
What’s New At CSAP
Fee Increase Reminder
Effective April 1, 2026, CSAP will implement a 5% increase to submission fees for Certificate of Compliance (CoC) and Approval in Principle (AiP) certification documents. All other submission fees will remain unchanged.
This is the first fee increase for these certification documents since 2007. The Board approved this targeted, modest adjustment following a review of CSAP’s budget and submission forecasts. We are anticipating fewer submissions in the upcoming years due to economic conditions, alongside rising costs to deliver core services such as performance assessments, detailed screenings, and administration. Applying a small increase to the two most resource intensive certification document types help support CSAP’s financial sustainability while minimizing impacts on other fee categories.
Please note that the discounted rate for submissions with more than five certification documents will continue to apply.
An updated submission fee schedule will be posted on the CSAP website and circulated to members in advance of the effective date.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact the Patricia Fu at [email protected].
Thank you for your understanding and continued support.
In The News
Professional Development Opportunities
Please note, these are virtual unless otherwise noted.
- RemTech – October 14-16, 2026 (Banff)
Other Scholarship Opportunities
The Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia (ACPBC) are awarding two $1,000 scholarships to support students in their major studies in chemistry. Applications will be accepted until end of day March 6, 2026. The scholarships are listed below, and more information can be found on ACPBC’s scholarship website.
