The new environmental assessment act : a new way of doing business

Bill 38 - the new Environmental Assessment Act - has received Royal Assent, and is expected to come into effect in late 2002, once the associated regulations and operating procedures are finalized. The current Act sets out a single obligatory review procedure for major projects. The primary purpose of Bill 38 is to provide much greater flexibility to customize review procedures on a project-by-project basis. The increased flexibility is intended to contribute to the government's strategic priorities for an improved investment climate while preserving high environmental standards. Other objectives of legislative reform include clearer process management accountabilities, increased procedural choice, more certainty and credibility for proponents, reduced agency workloads and government program delivery costs, and improved federal/provincial review harmonization. Most reviews will follow a basic two-stage approach: pre-application stage - focussed on initial consultations to scope the issues and set terms of reference for the EA application; and application review stage - review of the proponent's EA application (the assessment findings), leading to a Ministerial decision on EA certification.Non UBCUnreviewedOthe