Presentation Abstract
In 2012, the Province of British Columbia called for world-class land-based spill preparedness and response. As part of this work it set out to meet with industry, First Nations, local governments, and other interested stakeholders in order to define what constitutes world class. As 2013 drew to a close the Province began to narrow in on what it believes would constitutes a world class regime for British Columbia. The focus of its presentation will be to discuss the history of B.C’s Environmental Emergency Program, outline the leading options for how land-based spill preparedness and response in British Columbia may change in the future – what are the elements of a new regime; who would be involved in its delivery; and, how world leading spill management is an important part of protecting the Salish Sea. The presentation will also explore the navigation of policy development given the current context of high public interest. There are numerous major project proposals in B.C. driving the need for change, a number of regulators operating in the same space, and a large number of stakeholders expressing divergent opinions about the regime. This presentation will also touch on spill management in neighbouring jurisdictions, and their efforts to effectively incorporate industry funding into government program budgets and spill response funds; have emergency response staff and robust prevention, preparedness and response work, and to have coordinated geographic response plans. Given BC’s strong partnership with Pacific Coast States, and the focus of the conference on marine issues, this presentation will also include discussion on: • Steps BC is taking to ensure world class spill response in the marine environment; and, • Trans-boundary Projects and partnerships (Trans-boundary spill study, joint exercises, other projects and benefits of the BC / Pacific States Oil Spill Task Force)
Session Title
Session S-10C: Spill Prevention, Preparedness, and Response Issues in the Salish Sea and Pacific Northwest
Conference Track
Emerging Contaminants and Emergencies
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2-5-2014 1:30 PM
End Date
2-5-2014 3:00 PM
Location
Room 606
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Oil spills--British Columbia--Prevention; Oil spills--Cleanup--British Columbia; Oil spills--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Environmental policy--British Columbia
Subjects – Names (LCNAF)
British Columbia
Geographic Coverage
British Columbia; Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Included in
Moving to world class land-based spill preparedness and response in British Columbia
Room 606
In 2012, the Province of British Columbia called for world-class land-based spill preparedness and response. As part of this work it set out to meet with industry, First Nations, local governments, and other interested stakeholders in order to define what constitutes world class. As 2013 drew to a close the Province began to narrow in on what it believes would constitutes a world class regime for British Columbia. The focus of its presentation will be to discuss the history of B.C’s Environmental Emergency Program, outline the leading options for how land-based spill preparedness and response in British Columbia may change in the future – what are the elements of a new regime; who would be involved in its delivery; and, how world leading spill management is an important part of protecting the Salish Sea. The presentation will also explore the navigation of policy development given the current context of high public interest. There are numerous major project proposals in B.C. driving the need for change, a number of regulators operating in the same space, and a large number of stakeholders expressing divergent opinions about the regime. This presentation will also touch on spill management in neighbouring jurisdictions, and their efforts to effectively incorporate industry funding into government program budgets and spill response funds; have emergency response staff and robust prevention, preparedness and response work, and to have coordinated geographic response plans. Given BC’s strong partnership with Pacific Coast States, and the focus of the conference on marine issues, this presentation will also include discussion on: • Steps BC is taking to ensure world class spill response in the marine environment; and, • Trans-boundary Projects and partnerships (Trans-boundary spill study, joint exercises, other projects and benefits of the BC / Pacific States Oil Spill Task Force)
