In British Columbia, LNG facilities and natural gas pipelines are required to undergo an Environmental Assessment, which is administered by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (BCEAO) and governed by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act.

FortisBC received its Environmental Assessment Certificate in August 2016.

Woodfibre LNG received its Environmental Assessment Certificate in October 2015.

Both projects have a unique set of conditions attached to their Environmental Assessment Certificate. Conditions include items such as:

• Developing, monitoring and reporting on plans that cover construction, environmental management, fish and fish habitat, vegetation, and transportation and traffic.
• Managing and monitoring air and water quality, and wildlife;
• Managing and monitoring effects of the project ton community services and infrastructure.

The BC EAO is responsible for compliance and enforcement of these conditions through inspections and enforcement orders. The BCEO’s EPIC website includes documents for the WLNG Project and EGP Project, including certificate conditions, inspection reports, warning letters and decisions.

Questions or concerns from the public about the BCEAO can be directed to: [email protected] or 1-250-387-0131.

Oil and natural gas activities in British Columbia are also regulated by the BC Energy Regulator (BCER). Permits for natural gas pipelines (including related compressor stations or meter stations) and LNG facilities are required before construction can start on a major project. Approvals are issued under the Oil and Gas Activities Act, and contain conditions and requirements that the proponent must meet in order to be in compliance with the permit.

The BCER’s website includes documents for the WLNG Project and EGP Project, including project permits and conditions.

This includes conditions that specify how proponents manage water use, tree clearing, watercourse crossings and in-stream works, invasive plants, archaeology, soil erosion, and fish and animal habitat.

Questions or concerns from the public about the BCER can be directed to: [email protected] or 1-250-794-5200.

LNG transportation over Canadian waters is regulated by the federal government via Transport Canada. In June 2017, the Canada Energy Regulator (formerly the National Energy Board) issued a 40-year export license to allow LNG exports to international markets.

While WLNG and FortisBC are required to engage, and sometimes consult, with the District of Squamish on various management plans and technical reports required by both the BCEAO and BCER, the District does not have approval authority. District staff from Major Projects – Industrial liaise with these regulators to ensure that community needs and concerns are identified and, if the District is aware of a potential compliance or enforcement issue, these regulators are notified.

The District’s regulatory role is to issue permits for activities within its municipal boundaries in accordance with the District’s powers and responsibilities defined by the Community Charter and the Local Government Act (LGA) and in accordance with the District’s policies and bylaws. This includes permits for temporary land use, buildings, noise exemption, soils, and tree management.

Important Links/Community Resources:

• Environmental Assessment Office - Project Info - Woodfibre LNG 
• Environmental Assessment Office - Project Info - FortisBC/Eagle Mountain 
• Woodfibre LNG
• FortisBC - Eagle Mountain Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project 
• Squamish Nation  
• District of Squamish Bylaw Department