WHEREAS an oil spill can harm wildlife and have a significant impact on the health and economy of our communities and the natural environment; AND WHEREAS existing legislative and administrative frameworks do not provide for wildlife response preparedness or remediation, nor require professional wildlife response in the event of oil spills on land or in the marine environment; AND WHEREAS there are no designated oiled wildlife response services or facilities in BC; AND WHEREAS UBCM has already put forth resolutions on the need for improved spill response systems, including related to wildlife rescue, and funding mechanisms, but requested action has not been taken: Therefore be it resolved that the Province of BC urge the federal government to establish adequate oiled wildlife response capacity and capability for marine spills; And be it further resolved that the federal government and the Province of BC, in consultation with local governments, enact a mandated and coordinated regime that requires that wildlife response be included in oil spill response preparedness, that wildlife response and recovery, and remediation be part of standard response activities for marine and land-based oil spills and that funds to undertake these activities be collected from industry in accordance with the polluter pay principle.
Ministry of Environment On June 15, 2015 the Ministry announced plans to implement a world-leading land-based spill regime by spring 2017. The Ministry undertook detailed planning and design work on the proposed regime, legislation, regulations, funding model and Preparedness and Response Organization. This included engagement with First Nations, industry, local governments and other stakeholders through fall and winter of 2015. On February 29, 2016, government introduced Bill 21 amending Environmental Management Act to implement the statutory framework for the provinces world-leading land-based spill regime. Bill 21 sets out a new spill preparedness, response and recovery regime, and - if passed - will repeal sections 79 and 80 of the EMA, which set out the current spill prevention and response regime. Related to the introduction of Bill 21, government recently invited British Columbians British Columbians to review and comment on a new intentions paper around spill preparedness and response in B.C. Until June 30, 2016, citizens, stakeholders and First Nations can share their thoughts on the newly proposed legislated requirements for spill planning and preparedness through this website: http:engage.gov.bc.caspillresponse. This public engagement period builds on previous stakeholder, industry, First Nations and public consultation on two other spill intentions papers, released in 2012 and 2014. The requirements for the world leading spill response regime are informed by research commissioned by the province from Nuka Research which assessed the current marine spill preparedness and response capabilities for B.C.s coastline. Further, the province has sought another report that will identify specific world leading practices. New requirements created in the world leading spill response regime will address oiled wildlife. As part of the design phase of the project, engagement with federal agencies and local governments will inform requirements relating to wildlife response and recovery.
Minister of Natural Resources Regarding pipeline safety, new measures to improve energy safety and security will be put into place with the Pipeline Safety Act, which comes into force on June 19, 2016. The new legislation is built around the pillars of prevention, preparedness and response, and liability and compensation. In addition, the NEB is leading an update of damage prevention regulations under the NEB Act. These regulations will clarify the safety zone around pipelines and outline limitations for activities in these zones for companies, landowners and the public. We are also following with interest the development of the BC land-based spill regime, and have committed to taking part in engagement activities for this initiative.