June 17th, 2025

In May, the Province announced recent updates made to the Provincial Site Remediation News webpage.

First phase of modernization project for Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) sediment standards launches 

A partnership undertaken with the Ministry of Environment & Parks and the Science Advisory Board for Contaminated Sites (SABCS) has launched the first phase of a multi‑year effort to modernize Contaminated Sites Regulation (CSR) sediment standards. The initiative will develop a transparent, risk‑based scientific framework that incorporates bioavailability, contaminant mixtures, and cumulative‑effects endpoints to ensure holistic protection of aquatic ecosystems. 

Practitioners are invited to complete an online survey running June 1-July 31, 2025 and apply to support the project as a volunteer on the Technical Working Group. Preliminary findings will be presented in October at the Canadian Ecotoxicity Workshop (CEW) 2025, followed by a white paper in December 2025. Email info@sabcs.ca to learn more about the Sediment Standards Project and apply to support the initiative as a volunteer.  

Restructured web content to provide clarity on investigating a site 

Continuing with our efforts to redesign web content so property owners and qualified professionals can find the information they are looking for, the ministry has released new webpages describing how to investigate a site and apply standards. You’ll find that some webpages were removed or relocated as part of the redesign. Any information or guidance that is important was kept, although it may be presented in a new way. 

See the following webpages: 

• Investigate a site - updated 
• Standards for contaminated sites - updated 
• Selecting numerical standards - replaces "Types of standards" webpage 
• Background concentrations - combined relevant information from 3 different pages 
• Contamination migration - updated to include communication expectations 
• Contaminated sites guidance and resources - technical and administrative guidance documents and webinars can be found here  

Please update your bookmarks, as needed. 

If you have questions or comments about these updates, please contact SRPolicy@gov.bc.ca. 

March 25th, 2025

On March 13th, the Province announced recent updates made to the Provincial Site Remediation News webpage.  

Introducing the Site Remediation Services (SRS) Web App  

The Ministry of Environment and Parks is working on a new digital system that will make the site identification and remediation processes for contaminated sites in British Columbia more streamlined and efficient. Site Remediation Services Web application (SRS Web App) will make submitting forms such as site disclosure statements and applying for contaminated site services easy.  

Below is a list of anticipated benefits of the new system:  

• Processing site disclosure statements will be seamless, with everything contained in the system 
• Forwarding forms to the ministry will be quick and easy with faster ministry response times
• System functionality will allow direct communication between the ministry and applicants
• Contaminated Sites Service applications will be processed within the system with real-time status updates 

The project team is working to launch the SRS Web App in June.  
Additional information can be found in the video release.  

Restructured web content to provide clarity on a remediating a site 

The previous webpages about remediating a site were unclear and contained duplicate information. This made it hard for qualified professionals to find guidance to complete their work. The pages were redesigned with content that’s specific to both property owners and qualified professionals, and that clearly describes the process for remediating a site and applying for certification. Some webpages were removed or relocated as part of the redesign. Any information or guidance that is important was kept, although it may be presented in a new way. 

The following webpages were revised: 

• Remediate a contaminated site
• Performance verification plans
• Apply for a Certification (formerly Certifications)
• Preapprovals
• Guidance for risk assessment 

The updated Preapprovals webpage gives examples of when it may not be technically feasible or safe to investigate or remediate a site. 

Two new webpages were also released: 

Considering climate change in remediation 

This page provides high level guidance to qualified professionals who are thinking about the potential effects of climate change on remediation. Links to other available training and guidance are given if you wish to learn more about this topic. 

Information for First Nations Governments 

This page provides information, tools and training for First Nations Governments wishing to understand more about contaminated sites in their territories. 

If you have questions or comments about these updates, please contact SRPolicy@gov.bc.ca.