Value assessments and protocols
Publication date: December 28, 2017The Cumulative Effects Framework (CEF) assesses values that are important to the people of British Columbia and are subject to cumulative effects. CEF values are approved at the provincial or regional level and are periodically assessed and reported.
CEF values and value selection
The Cumulative Effects Framework (CEF) assesses values that are important to the people of British Columbia and are subject to cumulative effects. CEF values are approved at the provincial or regional level and are periodically assessed and reported.
Values are selected using a consistent set of criteria. A value must:
- Have legal or policy objectives in existing legislation, land use plans, case law or other forms of management direction or
- Be identified through strategic engagement and other agreements with First Nations, or otherwise support identified Aboriginal or treaty rights and
- Be able to be mapped using publicly available information
Six environmental values have been prioritized for assessment where they occur in British Columbia: aquatic ecosystems, forest biodiversity, grizzly bear, old growth forest, moose, and marine ecosystems.
The CEF is currently focused on assessing these six values. As the CEF continues to be implemented, additional environmental, social, cultural, or economic values may be added for assessment.
Value protocols, assessment and reporting
Standard assessment protocols have been developed for each value. These protocols, and accompanying documents, describe the assessment methodology, and any assessment assumptions and limitations. They will continue to be improved and updated over time using the best available information.
Cumulative effects assessments use existing data to evaluate the condition of a value within a defined geographic area.
Assessment results are made available through online web maps and the publishing of data to the BC Data catalogue. In some cases, Current Condition Reports may be available which summarize the assessment results.
Access CEF value protocols and reports
Learn more about the CEF value protocols and reports completed to date for the following values:
Values are things that the people and government of British Columbia care about and see as important for assuring the integrity and well-being of the province’s people and communities, economies and ecological systems. Values are defined in policy, legislation or agreements with First Nations.
Objectives are the desired condition of values. They can be obtained from existing legislation, policy, land use plans and other agreements. They may be described in a qualitative manner using narrative descriptions for the desired condition, or in a quantitative manner using measurable indicators.