FAQ: Contaminated Sites

My property is contaminated. Do I have to clean it up?

A contaminated site could cause damage to human health, the environment, underground services and may pose a threat if it is not managed appropriately. Experienced staff at Pacific can assist you in identifying risks associated with a contaminated site and evaluate options for you to make an informed decision.

You can find additional information related to this question using the following link; or contact one of Pacific?s project managers to assist you with the task.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/remediation/fact_sheets/pdf/fs02.pdf

I am a land developer and need to understand legal requirements related to the Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation. Tell me; what are my obligations?

It is essential to understand legal requirements related to investigation and cleanup of a contaminated site prior to a property development. Project delays, higher project costs and complication in the permit process can be avoided by addressing development uncertainties at the initial project stage. For instance, if a property has a Certificate of Compliance, the certificate can be used as a defense in private cost-recovery lawsuit. The Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation are a set of rules for management of contaminated sites. There are some flexible provisions included in the rules to assist developers to avoid unnecessary remediation costs. Use the following link to learn additional details related to the question.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/remediation/fact_sheets/pdf/fs09.pdf

Do I have legal obligations to remove an abandoned underground storage tank from my property?

Underground storage tanks are an environmental concern as they are a potential source of soil and groundwater contamination. Also, they may pose an explosion and fire hazard under certain conditions. Although the Ministry of Environment does not specifically regulate residential heating oil storage tanks, all property owners in BC under provincial jurisdiction are legally responsible for complying with the provincial Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites and Hazardous Waste Regulations. Local governments may also have bylaws that include provisions for the required removal or decommissioning of abandoned or unused residential heating oil storage tanks. The BC Fire Code requires that certain abandoned Tanks be removed.

Are you planning to remove a tank from your property? Pacific Environmental Technologists are trained and experienced for storage tank removal.

What are the reporting or disclosure requirements for vendors / realtors under the Environmental Management Act and Contaminated Sites Regulation?

A concern in real estate transactions is the risk in predicting if a property might attract environmental liability. Standards, exemptions and opportunities are provided in the Contaminated Sites Regulation to limit environmental liabilities of parties involved in real estate transactions. For instance, vendors must  provide a Site Profile for properties with certain historical specific types of land use to prospective purchasers. The following link takes you to a useful document for property vendors, realtors and purchasers.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/remediation/fact_sheets/pdf/fs11.pdf

Contact one of Pacific?s project managers to assist you with your questions related to your project.