What projects are reviewed?
Publication date: December 11, 2023Large projects such as mines, pipelines, resorts and infrastructure projects that exceed certain thresholds have to go through an environmental assessment.
Environmental assessments are a comprehensive and rigorous process for reviewing major projects that could have significant negative and complex impacts. The assessment helps decision-makers decide if a project should be approved to proceed.
Environmental assessments are one part of a larger system of oversight by different provincial and federal agencies that regulate resource development activities throughout B.C.
When a company or government agency proposes a major project, it will fall into one of two categories used by the Environmental Assessment Office: reviewable or non-reviewable. Reviewable projects require an environmental assessment certificate. Whether a project is reviewable depends on the size of the operation and its potential impacts on the environment, people and communities.
Reviewable projects
The Reviewable Projects Regulation sets the criteria and thresholds for a project to be considered a reviewable project. If a proposed project exceeds specific thresholds set in regulation, an environmental assessment is automatically required. The criteria and thresholds are designed to capture major projects that have a higher potential for significant negative impacts.
Non-reviewable projects
Non-reviewable projects do not meet the thresholds outlined in the regulation and do not require an environmental assessment. However, they still require permits and other authorizations to be approved by other regulatory agencies in order to proceed.
Applying to designate a project as reviewable
If an organization, First Nation or member of the public believes a non-reviewable project may have significant negative impacts, they can apply to have the Environmental Assessment Office review whether it should require an environmental assessment anyway.
As part of its review, the Environmental Assessment Office will get information and input from the person or organization requesting the review, the company or agency proposing the project, First Nations that may be impacted, local governments, and stakeholders.
After the review is complete, the Environmental Assessment Office will report on its findings and make a recommendation to the decision-maker whether or not an environmental assessment should be required for the project.
If the decision-maker determines that the project does not need an environmental assessment, the project can proceed to getting permits and other necessary approvals. If the project is deemed reviewable, the project must undergo an environmental assessment.
More information: Designation Application Requirements (PDF, 362 kb)
Project notification
If a project comes close to the threshold for an environmental assessment to be required, the company or agency proposing it must notify the Environmental Assessment Office. The EAO will then review whether or not the project should require an environmental assessment. For more information on project notifications, please visit the project notification page.