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Last updated on May 1, 2026

Proponents for land use projects and developments must assess the potential to impact fossil resources. The BC Fossil Management Office maintains guidelines and tools that help proponents identify potential impacts to fossils using an assessment process and that inform best practices when planning around fossil resources.

 

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Preliminary Study

Assessment of potential impact to fossils begins with a preliminary study. If this initial study indicates low or very low risk to fossil resources, a Chance Find Protocol needs to be developed in the event that fossils are uncovered during land disturbance. If the preliminary study indicates project activity is likely to encounter areas with medium and high risk to fossil resources, a Fossil Impact Assessment is required.

The Preliminary Study Report Template outlines what to include in the report.

The steps for a Preliminary Study Report are:

  1. Assess the potential risk to fossils using the risk matrices (level of disturbance and fossil resource potential) - see 'Templates' and 'Tools and Guidelines' boxes below
  2. If the risk is very low or low, indicate in your report that the project activities will have low impact on fossil resources. A Chance Find Protocol will need to be developed
  3. If the risk is medium or high, a FIA will be required in advance of the construction or development project to further assess fossil resources
  4. The Preliminary Study Report and Chance Find Protocol need to be submitted to the Fossil Management Office for review and approval

Chance Find Protocol

A Chance Find Protocol must be developed because fossil resources may be discovered during industrial activity or development. This plan must be submitted to (via e-mail) and approved by the BC Fossil Management Office. 

The plan and its procedures will be site-specific. The purpose of a Chance Find Protocol is:

  1. To make workers aware of the fossil potential and types of fossils that may be encountered during excavation and moving of earth materials
  2. Identify the steps workers and operators should take and who they should contact when a fossil is discovered

Please submit a KML file or shapefile of the project location with the document submission.

The Chance Find Protocol document must be distributed to workers and operators and posted in a site office if possible. Making the information known and accessible through an orientation is also recommended.

Examples of Chance Find Protocols:

Contact Fossil Management Office for a fossil data collection spreadsheet template in order to report fossil and fossil sites.

Fossil Impact Assessment (FIA)

The FIA determines pre- to post-development effects of project activities on fossil resources. The Fossil Impact Assessment Process Diagram for Industry illustrates the steps a proponent takes and accompanies the FIA Guidelines for Industry.

The FIA Guidelines for Paleontologists outline the details required for a Lead Paleontologist to conduct fossil assessment work.

Fossil impact assessment work begins with preparation of a field investigation plan by the Lead Paleontologist for the proponent. Requirements for the plan are described in the FIA Guidelines for Paleontologists and outlined in the FIA Plan for Field Investigation Template. The FIA Plan needs to be submitted to FMO for review and approval.

The FIA Report provides the proponent with a plan for assessing and mitigating damage to fossil resources. The FIA work includes:

  • Identifying fossil sites in the project area and the fossil resource potential 
  • Assessing the significance of fossils encountered
  • Documenting and photographing fossils encountered to minimize information lost during project activity
  • Making impact management and mitigation recommendations
  • Arranging for transportation and curation of specimens

Please note that an arrangement must be made with a qualified B.C. institution to receive fossils collected from the project area. The Royal BC Museum has a new repository agreement process.

Appendix 5 of the Land Act Permission Policy (PDF, 276KB) outlines the conditions under which a Lead Paleontologist may conduct on-site investigation for the purpose of assessing potential impacts and extent of the fossil resources as part of the fossil impact assessment process. This applies only when no site disturbance is needed, other than by hand tools, and must be in accordance with a plan submitted to (via e-mail) and approved by the BC Fossil Management Office.

Impact mitigation

Mitigation paleontology, conducted by a qualified paleontologist, may be needed to reduce adverse effects to significant fossils when this is recommended within the FIA Report. Activities may include construction monitoring during mechanical excavation of rock, intermittent inspection of rock exposures, and fossil recovery or salvage for specimens threatened by ground disturbance.

Mitigation measures begin with the paleontologist submitting a Fossil Impact Mitigation Plan for field activities, such as surveys and monitoring, to FMO for review.

Upon completion of the monitoring and mitigation work, the Lead Paleontologist submits a Fossil Impact Mitigation Final Report, fossil data collection spreadsheet, and updates about curation of collected specimens.

Adopted use of the Fossil Chance Find Protocol to report discoveries should continue for the lifetime of the project.

Qualified Lead Paleontologists List for FIAs

Lead Paleontologist

The BC Fossil Management Office has compiled a list of paleontologists who hold the necessary qualifications to serve as Lead Paleontologist for the FIA process.

Access the list here: 

This list is intended as a convenience for proponents who require the services of a Lead Paleontologist and is not a prerequisite to work as a Lead Paleontologist in B.C. Unlisted paleontologists may also be qualified, and if so, may conduct FIAs.

FIAs must be conducted by or under the supervision of a qualified Lead Paleontologist, based on the qualifications listed in FIA Guidelines for Paleontologists

Become a Lead Paleontologist

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How to apply

Download Application Form(Fillable PDF 202 KB) 

Complete and submit application to Fossil.Management@gov.bc.ca.

Your personal information is being collected by Heritage Branch, Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport according to section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of creating a list of Qualified Lead Paleontologists able to conduct fossil impact assessments.

The submission of your application indicates your consent for your business contact information and additional information (experience and expertise information as indicated in your application) to be posted online. This information may be accessed from outside of Canada. Your consent is applicable from the date of your submission.

 

Qualifications

Education:

  • A Ph. D. from an accredited university in a paleontological discipline is preferred. The Ph.D. paleontologist should have written a thesis in which there has been field research and laboratory components or have subsequent field and/or laboratory experience. 
  • OR a M.Sc. degree from an accredited university with a thesis in a paleontological discipline and a minimum of 3 years post-M.Sc. experience as a paleontologist could also serve as the project leader. The M.Sc. paleontologist should have a written thesis in which there has been field research and laboratory components, or subsequent supervised field and/or laboratory experience demonstrating the capacity to act as the project leader for an equivalent project size.
  • OR a combination of education and experience that offers a similar skillset to those outlined above.

Experience:

  • Fieldwork under supervision (24 weeks)
  • Laboratory and/or curation training under supervision (24 weeks)
  • Project leadership and/or supervision
  • Demonstrated ability to design and conduct paleontological research
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate through written work
  • A record of peer-reviewed reports and/or other publications

Other:

  • Professional affiliations
 

Use of applicant’s information

The information provided will be reviewed to determine if the applicant possesses the qualifications necessary for a Lead Paleontologist. If so, the applicant’s contact information will be placed on the List of British Columbia Fossil Resource Consultants, which will be posted on the Fossil Management website. Education and experience information may be posted as well.

Questions about the collection or use of your information may be sent to the Heritage Branch at Heritage@gov.bc.ca

 

Other FIA roles

The FIA Guidelines identify the qualifications required to perform other roles in the undertaking of FIAs. The BC Fossil Management Office expects that the Lead Paleontologist will ensure that other staff possess the necessary qualifications.

Fossil Collection Event Dataset

The Fossil Collection Event Dataset, maintained by the BC Fossil Management Office, is a spatial view that provides information about where fossils occur throughout British Columbia.

It is a point feature dataset that includes details about location, samples collected, and related publications. This information is provided to allow industry, professional paleontologists and geologists, First Nations, and government users to make informed decisions regarding land use planning and protection of fossil resources (see fossil protection).

Users may obtain access to the Fossil Occurrence Database by submitting a completed Fossil Information Sharing Agreement form:

Authorized users can access the fossil collection events and fossil sites information through the BC Data Catalogue - Province of British Columbia.

Contact information

BC Fossil Management Office:

250-356-1432
Fossil.Management@gov.bc.ca

Media Contacts:

Jill Nessel
250 880-3455
Jill.Nessel@gov.bc.ca