Contaminated Sites A Local Governments Role

Contaminated sites exist in every community in British Columbia. The role various levels of government play in the identification, remediation, and prevention of contaminated sites is complicated but important. The legal regime is intended to ensure that appropriate site investigation and any necessary remediation occur before a contaminated site is redeveloped. The regime is also intended to protect human health and the environment and prevent the creation of new contaminated sites. However, redevelopment of a contaminated site in one community may result in contaminated soil being relocated to another community creating a new contaminated site or making redevelopment of another site unlikely. This paper explores the current regime, proposed changes to the regime and a local government’s role and powers in this area.

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