Stakeholders

In British Columbia, a contaminated site is defined in the Environmental Management Act as an area of land in which the soil, underlying groundwater or sediment contains a hazardous waste or substance in an amount or concentration that exceeds provincial environmental quality standards. A site is contaminated if it is unsuitable for specific uses of land, water and sediment. These sites are often referred to as “brownfields.” Currently, there are almost 8,000 sites in the Ministry of Environment’s records. This number includes sites that are being screened and are not yet confirmed as being (or not being) contaminated; sites that are being cleaned up; sites that are awaiting final confirmation that cleanup is complete; and sites where cleanup is confirmed. Clean up of contaminated sites ensures environmental and human health protection for the Province of British Columbia.


 

Our Partners

CSAP Society works in collaboration with government, industry associations and other organizations to improve land and water quality. The following pages provide links to additional resources or information related to remediation of contaminated sites.

Ministry of Environment’s Land Remediation Section (LRS)

LRS is the lead provincial agency administering the provisions for the investigation and remediation of contaminated sites in British Columbia under the Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation.

LRS focuses on the remediation of brownfields, orphan sites and complex, high risk contaminated sites. The LRS also facilitates, often with the involvement of the CSAP Society members, the remediation of low and medium risk sites. The LRS also manages the Site Registry, provides operational and procedural contaminated sites guidance, and administers the site screening process using site profiles.

Through collaboration with communities, public organizations, other agencies and private parties, the Land Remediation Section strives to support development opportunities and to, protect human health and the environment.

Additional information and links can be found on the Contaminated Sites webpage.

Ministry of Agriculture’s Crown Land Restoration Branch (CLRB)

The Crown Land Restoration Branch (CLRB) within the Crown Land Administration Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is the lead provincial agency responsible for the management of provincial contaminated sites. The CLRB manages identified priority contaminated and brownfield sites on provincial lands, to ensure protection of human health and the environment.

The CLRB is also the lead provincial agency developing the overall Brownfields strategy for the Province.

Association of the Chemical Profession of British Columbia (ACPBC)

ACPBC was registered under the Society Act of British Columbia in 2007, and represents the Professional Chemist, PChem, in BC. Members have a minimum of a B.Sc. in Chemistry and are governed by a Code of Ethics and strict Disciplinary Procedures to ensure that their work meets the highest standards in protection of human health and the environment .

The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (APEGBC)

APEGBC regulates and governs the engineering and geoscience professions under the authority of the Engineers and Geoscientists Act by setting and maintaining high academic, experience and professional practice standards for all members. Individuals licensed by APEGBC are the only persons permitted by law to undertake, and assume responsibility for, engineering and geoscience projects in the Province of British Columbia.

British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA)

BCIA is the provincial organization authorized under the Agrologists Act, a British Columbia statute, to govern the professional conduct of its members, in support of the public interest. Persons who hold themselves out to be an agrologist must be duly registered with BCIA under the Act. BCIA represents over 900 professionals working within agrology in British Columbia.

College of Applied Biology of British Columbia (CAB)

CAB was established in 2003. It operates under a legal statute by an Act of the British Columbia government, the College of Applied Biology Act. It is the governing body for, at present, Professional Biologists and, shortly, Registered Biology Technologists and Applied Biology Technicians. The College protects the public by making sure that a member practicing applied biology in British Columbia has the necessary knowledge and skills.

Science Advisory Board for Contaminated Sites in British Columbia (SAB)

SAB has been established as a non- profit foundation under the Societies Act of British Columbia to develop independent science-based tools of benefit to professionals working in contaminated sites management in British Columbia.