Guidance Documents Related to the Environmental Assessment Office

The following documents are provided to help proponents through the environmental assessment process, or those wishing to explore EAO policies and regulations in greater detail.

Guidance Documents by Subject

General:

• Environmental Assessment Office User Guide (PDF) (January 2018) 

Pre-Application:

• Guidelines for Preparing Project Descriptions (PDF) (2016) 
  This document provides guidelines for proponents preparing a Project Description for projects that are or will likely be reviewable under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act
• Guidance on Requesting a Certificate Exemption (PDF, 1.MB) (2016) 
  This document describes (1) the process for proponent to request an exemption from certificate requirements under s. 10(1)(b) of the Environmental Assessment Act, and (2) EAO's review and decision making process in considering the request.
• Exemption Order Template (PDF) (2017) 
• Valued Components Guidelines 
• Application Information Requirements Template (DOC) (August 2015) 
  The Application Information Requirements describes the information that must be provided by a proponent in an application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate. The document is also used to determine whether an application contains all the necessary information and therefore may proceed to the review stage of the environmental assessment.

Companion Documents:

• ​What's Changed 2015 (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) 
• Tailings Management Requirements for Mining Projects (PDF) 
• Historic Places in British Columbia: Guidelines for Natural Resource Project Proponents (PDF) 
• Meeting Statutory Requirements under CEAA 2012 Paragraph 5(1)(c) (PDF) (November 2015) 
• Assessment of Effects to Section 5(1)(c) (PDF) (August 2015) 
• Meeting Statutory Requirement under CEAA Paragraphs 5(1)(a), 5(1)(b), 5(2)(a), and 5(2)(b) (PDF) (November 2015) 
• Fossil Impact Assessment process, guidelines and chance-find protocols 
• Howe Sound Cumulative Effects Project Reports
• Thompson-Okanagan Cumulative Effects Project Reports

 

• Guide to Withdrawal and Termination for Proponents (PDF) (2017)
  This document describes how a proponent can withdraw from the environmental assessment process, and how the EAO may terminate an environmental assessment in progress.

Application Review:

• Environmental Assessment Certificate Policy (PDF, 1.4MB) (2017) 
  The Environmental Assessment Certificate Policy (EAC Policy), explains EAO's approach to drafting conditions in environmental assessment certificates, amended certificates, and in orders issued under s. 10(1)(b) of the Environmental Assessment Act (i.e. exemption orders).

Companion Documents:

• Environmental Assessment Certificate Policy – What's New (PDF)
• Abridged Environmental Assessment Certificate Policy (PDF) 
• Template Environmental Assessment Certificate (PDF)

 

• Guidelines for EA Applications and Electronic Files (PDF) (2015) 
• Guide to Suspensions and Extensions of Time Limits (PDF) (2017) 
  This document describes the appropriate use of tools available under the Environmental Assessment Act to suspend or extend prescribed time limits during environmental assessments.
• Guide to Withdrawal and Termination for Proponents (PDF) (2017)
  This document describes how a proponent can withdraw from the environmental assessment process, and how the EAO may terminate an environmental assessment in progress.

Post Certificate:

• Guidance on Seeking an Amendment to an Environmental Assessment Certificate (PDF) (2017) 
  This document provides guidance for certificate holders who wish to amend their environmental assessment certificate.
• Amended Certificate Template (PDF) (2017)
• Guidance on Requesting a Certificate Extension (PDF) (2016) 
  This document provides guidance for certificate holders who wish to apply for a one-time extension of their environmental assessment certificate.
• Guidance on Substantially Started Determinations (PDF) (2019) 
  This document explains how EAO makes substantially started determinations under s.18 of the Environmental Assessment Act and describes a certificate holder's roles and responsibilities in the process.

Public Participation:

• Policy on Public Comments (PDF) (2018) 

Consultation:

• Engaging First Nations 

Compliance and Enforcement:

• EAO Compliance & Enforcement Policy and Procedures (PDF) (2015)

Federal Guidance:

• CEAA Guidance Materials Web Site 

Other Resource Documents:

• Cumulative effects framework and environmental assessment (PDF) (2017) 
• Cumulative effects in EAO-led environmental assessments (PDF) (2017) 
• Policy Bulletin for Groundwater Users (PDF) (2019) 
• Development of Major Projects Within the Natural Resource Sector: An Overview of BC's Regulatory Processes (PDF) (2015) 
• Common Issues and Commitments Report for Secure Landfills (PDF) (2009) 
• Cumulative Effects Framework 
• Environmental Mitigation Policy and Procedures

Fees:

• EAO Fees Overview 

Valued Components Guideline

The EAO's new policy document, Guideline for the Selection of Valued Components and Assessment of Potential Effects (PDF), presents best practices for the selection of valued components and the assessment of potential effects. It has been prepared to inform the understanding and application of appropriate, standardized methods for conducting environmental assessments to meet the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. It builds upon existing practices to improve the clarity, consistency, and overall quality of Applications for an Environmental Assessment Certificate prepared by proponents, as well as assessments prepared by EAO staff.

• Fact Sheet (PDF) (2013) 
• Valued Components Guideline (PDF) (2013)