| Req ID | Category | Intent | Legal Status | Name | Subdomain(s) | Context | Conditions | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #Q001 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Baseline Data Duration and Quality | other | MOE expects an application for mine development to contain and interpret quality-assured environmental baseline data collected over an absolute minimum of 12 months (with 24 or more months preferred). | During application for mine development | high |
| #Q002 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Baseline Data Usability | other | The data must adequately characterize spatial and seasonal variability and must be suitable for use in impact prediction. | For baseline data collection | high |
| #Q003 | administrative | reporting | recommended | Professional Qualifications for Studies | other | The different components of any of the studies conducted as part of the environmental assessment process should be planned and conducted by a qualified professional in the relevant field. | When planning and conducting environmental assessment studies | high |
| #Q004 | design | operational | mandatory | Meteorological Station Standards | other | To ensure that meteorological and air quality stations collect representative data, stations and sensors must conform to standards set by both the federal and provincial governments. | When installing meteorological stations | high |
| #Q005 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Hydrometric Survey Manual Adherence | other | The proponent must use the most current version of this hydrometric manual as a reference or guideline for conducting hydrometric surveys to collect baseline data for the EA process. | When conducting hydrometric surveys for baseline data | high |
| #Q006 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Staff Gauge Periodic Surveying | other | For all hydrometric monitoring sites, it is mandatory that staff gauges are surveyed periodically and controlled for shifts in elevation against fixed reference points (or bench marks). | Applicable to all hydrometric monitoring sites | high |
| #Q007 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Reporting Hydrometric Data Confidence | other | With respect to the reporting of hydrometric data, the report must include a discussion on the precision, accuracy, completeness, and comparability of the data to inform decision makers of the confidence that they can place in the dataset. | When reporting hydrometric data | high |
| #Q008 | operational | operational | mandatory | Groundwater Protection Regulation Compliance | other | The Ground Water Protection Regulation (GWPR) under the Water Act of British Columbia must be followed during the construction, maintenance, and closure of monitoring wells and geotechnical wells (including boreholes, test wells, and test pits). | During construction, maintenance, and closure of monitoring wells | high |
| #Q009 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Spatial and Vertical Coverage of Groundwater Data | other | Proponents need to ensure that groundwater data have sufficient spatial and vertical coverage to characterize the three-dimensional groundwater flow regime at both the site and off-site in the receiving environment. | When establishing monitoring sites | high |
| #Q010 | design | operational | mandatory | Up-gradient Monitoring Wells | other | A representative number of monitoring wells must be up-gradient from the proposed mine for background control and to establish groundwater level trends before the project begins and for the duration of the project. | When establishing the monitoring well network | high |
| #Q011 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Data Storage and Security | other | Data should be stored in a database or spreadsheet. The raw data files from data loggers must be stored so that data can be recovered if corrupted in a database. | For hydrogeologic data storage | high |
| #Q012 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Detection Limit Sufficiency | aquatic life | The detection limit for each water quality parameter of interest must be less than the respective WQG, ideally by one order of magnitude. | When analyzing water quality parameters | high |
| #Q013 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Statistical Power A Priori Reporting | other | For ground and surface water quality baseline studies, proponents are responsible for reporting the a priori statistical power of their sampling plan (for two to three critical parameters) to provide reviewers of the Environmental Assessment with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the program. | When planning surface and ground water baseline studies | high |
| #Q014 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | ISO 17025 Laboratory Accreditation | other | All samples must be tested by a laboratory that is accredited to ISO 17025 standards for the relevant test methods. | When submitting water quality samples for laboratory testing | high |
| #Q015 | operational | operational | mandatory | QA/QC Program Implementation | other | Proponents must institute an appropriate QA/QC program to evaluate and ensure confidence in the data collected. | For all data collection programs | high |
| #Q016 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Field Filtering Exemption for Dissolved Metals Preservation | other | Dissolved metals samples that will be lab filtered must not be field preserved. | If samples will be filtered in the laboratory instead of the field | high |
| #Q017 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Data Map Requirement | other | Graphical and tabular displays of data are strongly encouraged to supplement text. Maps showing monitoring locations are required. | When reporting water quality monitoring results | high |
| #Q018 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Reporting Provisional Data Due to Turbidity | other | However, the report must specify that groundwater quality data are provisional due to high turbidity, and the report should contain an assessment of the expected mobility of colloid-sized particles within the groundwater system. | If reporting data from naturally turbid wells | high |
| #Q019 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sediment Sampling Sites Geo-referencing | aquatic life | All sample sites must also be geo-referenced, mapped and photographed. | During selection of sediment sampling sites | high |
| #Q020 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Fine-Grained Sediment Targeting | aquatic life | Therefore, the assessment of sediment quality must be carried out on the fine-grained sediments sampled in areas of the water body where permanent accumulation of sediment is taking place. | When sampling sediment | high |
| #Q021 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sediment Metals Digestion Method | other | The BC Strong Acid Leachable Metals (BC SALM) digestion method must be used for the analysis of all metals in sediments. | For laboratory analysis of metals in sediments | high |
| #Q022 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Avoid Sediment Disturbance Prior to Deployment | aquatic life | Do not disturb bottom sediments before deploying the sampling device. | Prior to sample collection | high |
| #Q023 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Composite Sediment Sample Composition | aquatic life | Collect each sample as a composite of sediment from several (minimum of three) submerged silt/clay locations, preferably using two (one large, one small) stainless steel utensils for organic analysis or two (one large, one small) plastic utensils for metal analysis. | When collecting composite sediment samples | high |
| #Q024 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Minimize Destructive Sampling | aquatic life | The proponent must consider how to minimize unnecessary destructive sampling of fish, amphibian, and aquatic bird species, particularly target species that may be threatened over time | When planning biological tissue monitoring | high |
| #Q025 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Dry/Wet Weight Reporting Notation | aquatic life | All data reports must clearly indicate whether analytical results are being reported as dry weight (dwt) or wet weight (wwt). | When reporting tissue residue data | high |
| #Q026 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Equipment Cleaning for Organics and Metals | aquatic life | For metals analysis, collect samples using plastic equipment that has been washed in nitric acid. For organics analysis, collect samples with stainless steel equipment washed in acetone. | When collecting tissue samples | high |
| #Q027 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Tissue Replicate Analysis for Laboratory Precision | aquatic life | Ensure that the laboratory assesses its precision by homogenizing, splitting, and analyzing every eighth fish tissue replicate. | During laboratory analysis of fish tissue | high |
| #Q028 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Fish Tissue Database Requirement | aquatic life | Develop a fish tissue database identifying metals for each watercourse in the mine site area. | Following tissue residue analysis | high |
| #Q029 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Dispersion Modelling Requirement | other | Conduct air quality dispersion modelling (required for most EA reviews). | For most Environmental Assessment reviews | high |
| #Q030 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Hydrologic Baseline Duration | other | Conduct a baseline hydrologic study with a minimum of two years of data. | Baseline hydrologic study phase | high |
| #Q031 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Groundwater Baseline Duration | other | Conduct groundwater quantity and quality baseline studies with a minimum of one year of quarterly data. | Baseline groundwater study phase | high |
| #Q032 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Collection Permit Requirement | aquatic life | Obtain appropriate fish and wildlife collection permits. | Prior to tissue residue or fish sampling | high |
| #Q033 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Professional Assessment Seal | other | The assessment is expected to be performed to the current standard of professional practice and sealed by an appropriate qualified professional. | For surficial hydrology assessments | high |
| #Q034 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Upstream Barrier Sampling | aquatic life | Therefore, all stream reaches and tributaries upstream of barriers must be sampled to demonstrate fishbearing status. | When demonstrating fish-bearing status for migratory species | high |
| #Q035 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Pre-construction Monitoring Duration | aquatic life | At a minimum, two years of monitoring prior to construction is recommended. | For monitoring programs that continue after mine construction | high |
| #Q036 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Hydrogeologic Data Storage | other | Data should be stored in a database or spreadsheet. | For hydrogeologic data reporting | high |
| #Q037 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Stratified Lake Sampling Requirement | aquatic life | If vertical profiling reveals the presence of lake stratification with regards to temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen, water sampling at multiple lake depths must be undertaken. | When lake stratification is detected via vertical profiling | high |
| #Q038 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Mass Balance Model Justification and Data Accessibility | other | Whatever approach is adopted, the proponent needs to: - explain and justify the chosen method; - make reasonably conservative estimates of input parameters; and - make the data available for government review. | When predicting inputs to the water quality mass balance model | high |
| #Q039 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Construction Phase Turbidity and TSS Monitoring | other | Due to elevated risk of erosion and soil runoff during mine construction (and early operational phases), daily turbidity measurements with weekly TSS analysis and weekly reporting are recommended during the construction and early operational phases. | During mine construction and early operational phases | high |
| #Q040 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Non-Fish-Bearing Status Determination Period | aquatic life | Non-fish-bearing status should be established over two consecutive years. | When determining fish absence in a waterbody | high |
| #Q041 | administrative | operational | recommended | Consultation on Departures from RISC Standards | aquatic life | Any departure from these standards should be discussed prior to the initiation of field assessments with and supported by the appropriate FLNRO fisheries equivalent representative well in advance of field surveys. | When deviating from RISC standards for fish and habitat data | high |
| #Q042 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Groundwater Uncertainty Discussion and Evaluation | other | proponents should discuss uncertainties that are inherent to the characterization of the groundwater system and provide, at a minimum, a qualitative evaluation of their potential significance in the assessment of project impacts. | During reporting on hydrogeology baseline and impact prediction | high |
| #Q043 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Ground-truthing of Well Inventory Data | other | The inventory of groundwater users should include some level of ground-truthing, such as verifying with local personnel about their knowledge of the area, site visits, and inspection of recent air photos, because not all wells are registered in the provincial repository (WELLS) | When inventorying neighbouring well users and regional groundwater use | high |
| #Q044 | administrative | reporting | guidance | Agency Consultation Advice | other | Proponents are also advised to consult with the Environmental Assessment Office, the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, and other Ministries as appropriate to ensure their respective requirements are being addressed. | In advance of applying for regulatory approvals for mine development or operations | high |
| #Q045 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Annual Environmental Quality Review Reporting | other | The proponent should report all baseline data, including those collected subsequent to submission of the EA application, as part of an annual environmental quality review. | Throughout the application review period | high |
| #Q046 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Post-Event Discharge Measurement | other | New discharge measurements should be taken as soon as possible following a significant event to determine if the current rating curve is still applicable and if not, to provide the basis for development of a new curve. | Following a significant high-water event | high |
| #Q047 | operational | operational | mandatory | Monitoring Method and Safety Responsibility | other | The proponent is responsible for ensuring that the methods and techniques chosen are appropriate to the monitoring sites and that the monitoring activities carried out at these sites are in accordance with workplace safety policies. | During hydrometric monitoring | high |
| #Q048 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Sensor Calibration and Recalibration | other | Sensor calibration should be checked quarterly, and sensors should be recalibrated when sensor drift exceeds 2% of the actual value. | During use of non-vented pressure transducers and water level sensors | high |
| #Q049 | operational | operational | recommended | Sample Storage and Transport Temperature | other | Samples should be kept at a temperature ≤10 °C (but not frozen) during shipping and handling. | During shipping and handling of surface and groundwater quality samples | high |
| #Q050 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Provincial Database Data Entry | other | The proponent is responsible for ensuring that sampling sites and data are entered into the provincial database (EMS), following discussion with regional MOE representatives. | Upon collection of water quality results | high |
| #Q051 | operational | operational | recommended | Lethal Sampling Minimization | aquatic life | All efforts should be made to minimize lethal sampling by determining all federal and provincial data requirements and using as few fish as possible to meet these requirements. | During fish tissue residue monitoring | high |
| #Q052 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Taxonomy Identification Depth | aquatic life | Taxonomy samples should be identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level in the laboratory. | During taxonomic analysis for tissue residue programs | high |
| #Q053 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Groundwater Assessment Data Collection Responsibility | other | The proponent is responsible for collecting all required data for a thorough groundwater assessment. | For mine environmental assessment | high |
| #Q054 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Early Baseline Initiation | other | Start the collection of information as early as possible in the mine development process. | Mine development process inception | high |
| #Q055 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Data Availability for Regulatory Access | other | Store data appropriately and have it available for MOE and MFLNRO staff to access on request. | Applies to all chapters 2-10 baseline data | high |
| #Q056 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Meteorology/Air Quality Methodology Consultation | other | The proponent must contact an MOE Air Quality Meteorologist prior to beginning baseline monitoring to establish an agreed-upon methodology for dispersion modelling and data collection requirements, siting, and methodology. | Prior to beginning baseline monitoring | high |
| #Q057 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Exceedance and Trend Identification in Reporting | other | The proponent must identify instances where approved provincial WQGs, WQOs, or permit limits are exceeded and whether temporal or spatial trends exist. | When reporting water quality monitoring results | high |
| #Q058 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Fish Presence Data Documentation and Entry | aquatic life | Results from presence and absence sampling should be documented using formats described in the Fish Stream Identification Guidebook (BC MOF and BC MELP, 1998) and entered into the provincial database using the Field Data Information System (FDIS). | Following presence and absence sampling | high |
| #Q059 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Periphyton Sampling Delay Post-Flood | aquatic life | periphyton sampling should not occur until at least four weeks following a flood | Following a flood event | high |
| #Q060 | operational | operational | mandatory | Mechanical Pump Requirement for High Turbidity | other | The use of a mechanical pump and not a bailer or hand pump is recommended at all times and is mandatory if field turbidity exceeds 50 NTU. | If field turbidity exceeds 50 NTU | high |
| #Q061 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Groundwater Model Sensitivity Analysis | other | The calibrated model should be used in a sensitivity study to identify key parameters influencing system behaviour and to provide an early evaluation of prediction uncertainty. | At the EA Certificate application stage for hydrogeologic modeling | high |
| #Q062 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Sediment Fraction Specification | aquatic life | Samples must be taken for the <63 µm sediment fraction and should be considered for other fractions. | During sediment baseline monitoring | high |
| #Q063 | reporting | operational | mandatory | Materials Handling Plan Submission | other | The proponent must submit a mine plan that considers all of the information collected to produce a materials handling plan for the minimal impact on the receiving environment. | During mine plan submission | high |
| #Q064 | design | operational | mandatory | Meteorological Station Installation | other | Install meteorological station(s) to collect the data listed in this chapter. | Prior to baseline monitoring phase | high |
| #Q065 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Meteorological Instrumentation Standards Consultation | other | Consult MOE staff to ensure that all instrumentation used conforms to the Ministry's standards. | When selecting meteorological instrumentation | high |
| #Q066 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Monthly Hydrometric Sampling Frequency | other | Discrete measurements of stream discharge and stage should occur at least once per month during the first year of baseline data collection, with an emphasis on timing the visits to capture the extreme high and low flows. | During the first year of baseline hydrometric data collection | high |
| #Q067 | operational | operational | mandatory | Fish Muscle Sample Skin Removal | aquatic life | Remove the skin from dorso-lateral muscle tissue samples or muscle plugs prior to analysis. | During processing of fish tissue samples | high |
| #Q068 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Independent Periphyton Sample Collection | aquatic life | Taxonomy and biomass samples should be taken independently. | During periphyton sampling for taxonomy and biomass | high |
| #Q069 | reporting | treatment | mandatory | Fish Habitat Compensation Plan Preparation | aquatic life | Prepare a fish habitat compensation plan for Fisheries and Oceans Canada to consider the authorization of a harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of fish habitat | When mine activities result in HADD of fish habitat | high |
| #Q070 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Instream Flow Study Requirement | aquatic life | If the proponent proposes to divert large quantities of water to and from streams, perform an instream flow study (IFS). | When proposing significant water diversion | high |
| #Q071 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Submission Formatting Standards | other | Proponents must also ensure that submissions address the following: Ensure that all maps, figures, graphics, and tables are: properly labelled, provided with appropriate legends and scales, and legible and of the appropriate size to display the information being illustrated. | Applicable to all technical submissions | high |
| #Q072 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Fish and Fish Habitat Cumulative Effects Analysis | aquatic life | Analyze the cumulative effects of impacts to fish and fish habitat. | During Environmental Assessment reporting | high |
| #Q073 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Hydrologic Analytical Methods Description | other | The baseline study report should include descriptions of, references to, and rationales for the selected analytical methods used to derive hydrologic estimates from the data (e.g., project hydrometric data and other hydrometric or hydrologic data). | During hydrologic baseline reporting | high |
| #Q074 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Hydrologic Statistical Estimates Reporting | other | The results of all analyses should be accompanied by statistical estimates of parameter reliability and variability, error of the estimate, and/or confidence intervals. | When reporting hydrologic analysis results | high |
| #Q075 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Hydrologic Data Visualization Requirements | other | The presentation of hydrologic information should include hydrographs of all gauged and ungauged (if synthetic records are used) watersheds, flow duration curves, and graphical and tabular representations of frequency analyses, regionalizations, and stage-discharge curves. | When presenting baseline hydrologic information | high |
| #Q076 | design | operational | mandatory | Monitoring Well Construction Standards | other | Monitoring well construction must conform to the minimum construction standards in the GWPR for permanent monitoring wells. | During monitoring well installation | high |
| #Q077 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Manual Water Level Verification | other | Manual readings should be taken at every site visit and compared to data logger readings on-site to ensure equipment is functioning correctly. | During hydrometric site visits | high |
| #Q078 | design | operational | recommended | Barometric Pressure Compensation | other | If non-vented pressure transducers are used, then a separate logger for barometric pressure should be deployed. | When using non-vented transducers for groundwater level recording | high |
| #Q079 | operational | operational | recommended | Metal Sample Nitric Acid Preservation | other | All samples for total metals and all field-filtered dissolved metals samples should be preserved with nitric acid in the field. | During groundwater quality sample collection | high |
| #Q080 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | High Turbidity QP Assessment | other | If field turbidity exceeds the target (50 NTU), then a Qualified Professional (e.g., P.Eng. or P.Geo. with expertise in hydrogeology) must assess the reasons for high turbidity. | When field turbidity in a monitoring well exceeds 50 NTU | high |
| #Q081 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Fish Metric Documentation | aquatic life | Measure and record species, size, weight, age, and sex (when distinguishable) and submit these data along with other monitoring data. | During collection of captured fish for baseline studies | high |
| #Q082 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Fish Barrier Integration Methodology | aquatic life | The assessment of fish barriers should integrate methodologies and data requirements described in Parker (2000). | When determining fish distribution status at barriers | high |
| Req ID | Category | Intent | Legal Status | Name | Subdomain(s) | Limit Type | Limit Value | Context | Conditions | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #P001 | operational | operational | recommended | Field Turbidity - Low Flow Trigger | other | requirement | > 50 NTU | Low-flow sampling techniques should be employed if field turbidity exceeds this value. | During groundwater quality sample collection from monitoring wells. | high |
| #P002 | physical | operational | guidance | Field Turbidity - Faulty Well Indicator | other | requirement | > 200 NTU | Taken to indicate faulty monitoring well design or construction. | During groundwater sample collection. | high |
| #P003 | physical | operational | recommended | pH Stabilization Limit | other | OG | <= 0.1 units | Parameter must stabilize within this variance for three successive readings during purging. | Well purging prior to groundwater sampling. | high |
| #P004 | physical | operational | recommended | Electrical Conductivity Stabilization Limit | other | OG | <= 3 % | Parameter must stabilize within this variance for three successive readings during purging. | Well purging prior to groundwater sampling. | high |
| #P005 | chemical | operational | recommended | Dissolved Oxygen Stabilization Limit | other | OG | <= 10 % | Parameter must stabilize within this variance for three successive readings during purging. | Well purging prior to groundwater sampling. | high |
| #P006 | physical | operational | recommended | Turbidity Stabilization Limit | other | OG | <= 10 % | Parameter must stabilize within this variance for three successive readings during purging. | Well purging prior to groundwater sampling. | high |
| #P007 | chemical | operational | recommended | Redox Stabilization Limit | other | OG | <= 10 mV | Parameter must stabilize within this variance for three successive readings during purging. | Well purging prior to groundwater sampling. | high |
| #P008 | physical | operational | recommended | Temperature Stabilization Limit | other | OG | <= 0.2 °C | Parameter must stabilize within this variance for three successive readings during purging. | Well purging prior to groundwater sampling. | high |
| #P009 | operational | reporting | guidance | Sediment Sample Mass - Metals, TOC, Sulphur | other | requirement | >= 10 g | Minimum sediment volume necessary to conduct planned chemical tests. | Sediment sampling for metals, TOC, and sulphur. | high |
| #P010 | operational | reporting | guidance | Sediment Sample Mass - PAH | other | requirement | 5-10 g | Typical sediment volume necessary to conduct PAH analysis. | Sediment sampling for PAH. | high |
| #P011 | operational | operational | recommended | Sediment Sampling Depth | other | requirement | 2-3 cm | Collect samples from a specific vertical depth into the substrate. | At least in lotic environments. | high |
| #P012 | physical | reporting | mandatory | Water Quality Sample Storage Temperature | other | requirement | <= 6 °C | Storage temperature requirement for various physical and chemical water quality samples. | Sample preservation and handling. | high |
| #P013 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Reviewable Project Trigger - New Metal Mines | other | requirement | >= 75,000 tonnes per year | Production capacity threshold for new metal mines to be reviewable under the EAA. | New metal mines in British Columbia. | high |
| #P014 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Reviewable Project Trigger - New Coal Mines | other | requirement | >= 250,000 tonnes per year | Production capacity threshold for new coal mines to be reviewable under the EAA. | New coal mines in British Columbia. | high |
| #P015 | physical | reporting | guideline | Dissolved Oxygen Precision Objective | aquatic life | OG | +/- 1 mg/L | Smallest increment that must be measured and reported for general water quality field measurements. | Field measurements of surface or groundwater. | high |
| #P016 | physical | reporting | guideline | pH Precision Objective | aquatic life | OG | +/- 0.01 pH units | Smallest increment that must be measured and reported for general water quality field measurements. | Field measurements of surface or groundwater. | high |
| #P017 | operational | reporting | recommended | Electrofishing - Conductivity Condition | aquatic life | requirement | > 10 uS/cm | Stream segments must be sampled using electrofishing if these conductivity conditions can be met. | Fish inventory sampling in streams. | high |
| #P018 | operational | reporting | recommended | Electrofishing - Temperature Condition | aquatic life | requirement | > 7 °C | Stream segments must be sampled using electrofishing if these temperature conditions can be met. | Fish inventory sampling in streams. | high |
| #P019 | operational | reporting | recommended | Electrofishing - Visibility Condition | aquatic life | requirement | > 25 cm | Stream segments must be sampled using electrofishing if these visibility conditions can be met. | Fish inventory sampling in streams. | high |
| #P020 | design | operational | guidance | Initial Dilution Zone Extent | wastewater | requirement | <= 100 m | Normal maximum distance from the point of effluent discharge for the initial dilution zone. | Effluent mixing zone definition. | high |
| #P021 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Reviewable Project Trigger - Sand and Gravel Pits | other | requirement | >= 500,000 tonnes per year | Production capacity threshold for new sand and gravel pits to be reviewable under the EAA. | New sand and gravel pits in British Columbia. | high |
| #P022 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Reviewable Project Trigger - Placer Mines | other | requirement | >= 500,000 tonnes per year | Production capacity threshold for new placer mines to be reviewable under the EAA. | New placer mines in British Columbia. | high |
| #P023 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Environmental Baseline Minimum Duration | other | requirement | >= 12 months | Absolute minimum period for baseline data collection prior to application. | All new mine development applications. | high |
| #P024 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Surficial Hydrology Baseline Duration | other | requirement | >= 2 years | Minimum data collection period to evaluate the accuracy of rating curves and address gaps. | Baseline hydrology studies for surface water flow. | high |
| #P025 | operational | reporting | recommended | Hydrometric Recording Interval | other | requirement | 15 minutes | Frequency for recording continuous water level (stage) data. | Automated hydrometric monitoring sites. | high |
| #P026 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Stage-Discharge Relationship - Minimum Data Points | other | requirement | >= 10 data points | Minimum number of measurements well distributed over the full range of flows. | Development of a site-specific stage-discharge relationship (rating curve). | high |
| #P027 | operational | reporting | guidance | Fish Tissue Sample Weight | aquatic life | requirement | >= 8 g wet weight | General minimum sample weight requirement for chemical analysis of fish tissues. | Baseline tissue collection for fish. | high |
| #P028 | operational | reporting | guidance | Bull Trout Baseline Length | aquatic life | requirement | < 10 cm | Size restriction for bull trout collection to account for mobility and protected status. | Baseline fish tissue collection of bull trout. | high |
| #P029 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Surface Water Quality Frequency - Peak Fluctuation | aquatic life | requirement | 5 samples in 30 days | Weekly sampling frequency during periods of maximum hydrograph fluctuation (e.g., freshet). | Core baseline surface water sampling locations. | high |
| #P030 | physical | reporting | guideline | Temperature Field Measurement Precision | aquatic life | OG | +/- 0.1 °C | Smallest increment for water temperature that must be measured and reported. | Field measurements of surface or groundwater. | high |
| #P031 | physical | reporting | guideline | Specific Conductance Precision Objective | other | OG | +/- 2 uS/cm | Core list of general water quality field measurements. | Field measurements of surface or groundwater. | high |
| #P032 | physical | reporting | guideline | Turbidity Precision Objective | other | OG | +/- 0.1 NTU | Core list of general water quality field measurements. | Field measurements of surface or groundwater. | high |
| #P033 | physical | reporting | guidance | Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 2 mg/L | Detection limit for each water quality parameter must be less than the respective WQG, ideally by one order of magnitude. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P034 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Arsenic (As) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 0.2 ug/L | Detection limit objective for water quality analytes. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P035 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Selenium (Se) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 0.3 ug/L | Detection limit objective for water quality analytes. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P036 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 0.05 % | Parameters for laboratory analyses of sediments. | Laboratory analysis of sediment samples. | high |
| #P037 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Selenium (Se) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 0.1 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of sediments. | Laboratory analysis of sediment samples. | high |
| #P038 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Selenium (Se) Tissue Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.02 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of tissue residue in aquatic biota. | Laboratory analysis of tissue samples. | high |
| #P039 | operational | operational | recommended | Standard Wind Measurement Height | other | requirement | 10 m | Winds are typically measured at this height above ground, though measurements at higher elevations may be required depending on emission source. | Air quality monitoring and dispersion modelling. | high |
| #P040 | operational | operational | guidance | Low Flow Design Recurrence Interval (7Q10) | aquatic life | requirement | 10 years | The lowest annual and lowest summer stream flow for 7 consecutive days that would be expected to occur once in this interval. | Protection of aquatic ecosystems flow situations. | high |
| #P041 | operational | reporting | guidance | Water Quality Mass Balance Confidence Bound | other | requirement | 90 % | A 'reasonably conservative' statistical interpretation for predicting inputs to the water quality mass balance model. | Predicting inputs to the water quality mass balance model. | high |
| #P042 | operational | reporting | recommended | Hydrogeology Baseline Frequency | other | requirement | >= 1 year of quarterly data | Minimum period required to assess seasonal variations during the initial project evaluation phase. | Groundwater quality baseline studies. | high |
| #P043 | operational | reporting | recommended | Groundwater Sampling Interval | other | requirement | 60-120 days | Sampling should be evenly spaced throughout the year. | Quarterly groundwater sampling for baseline studies. | high |
| #P044 | operational | operational | recommended | Sensor Drift Recalibration Threshold | other | requirement | > 2 % | Sensors should be recalibrated when sensor drift exceeds this value of the actual value. | Continuous water level recording and sensor maintenance. | high |
| #P045 | operational | reporting | recommended | Mine Construction Turbidity Monitoring | other | requirement | daily measurements | Due to elevated risk of erosion and soil runoff during mine construction. | Construction and early operational phases of a mine. | high |
| #P046 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Sediment Sample Preparation Drying Temperature | other | requirement | <= 60 °C | Sediments collected for metals analysis should be lab dried to a constant weight at this temperature. | Sample handling for sediment metals analysis (BC SALM method). | high |
| #P047 | operational | reporting | recommended | Fish Tissue Replicate Minimum | aquatic life | requirement | 8 replicates per site | Number of replicates to describe statistically both within-site and between-site variability. | Spatial Variance Program for fish tissue assessment. | high |
| #P048 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Benthic Macroinvertebrate Replicate Minimum | aquatic life | requirement | >= 5 replicates per site | Required during the initial year of sampling if pilot data is not available. | Baseline biological sampling for benthic macroinvertebrates. | high |
| #P049 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Remote Sample Delivery Time Limit | other | requirement | <= 48 hours | Samples received from remote locations after this period must not be tested. | Transport of microbiological samples to the laboratory. | high |
| #P050 | operational | reporting | mandatory | pH Sample Holding Time | other | requirement | 15 minutes | Maximum duration between sampling and analysis for pH. | Water quality sampling. | high |
| #P051 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Aquatic Sediments Sampling Frequency | aquatic life | requirement | >= 1 sample per year | Sampling should be conducted through the baseline and operational phases during late summer low flow periods. | Aquatic sediments baseline study. | high |
| #P052 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Aquatic Life Baseline Duration | aquatic life | requirement | >= 1 complete survey | Minimum requirement for the baseline study, though two or more consecutive years are preferred. | Benthic macroinvertebrates and periphyton baseline monitoring. | high |
| #P053 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Copper (Cu) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational water, other | requirement | 0.2 ug/L | Core list of general water quality analytes and associated detection limit objectives. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P054 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Cadmium (Cd) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational water, other | requirement | 0.01 ug/L | Core list of general water quality analytes and associated detection limit objectives. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P055 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Mercury (Hg) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational water, other | requirement | 0.01 ug/L | Core list of general water quality analytes and associated detection limit objectives. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P056 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Lead (Pb) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational water, other | requirement | 0.1 ug/L | Core list of general water quality analytes and associated detection limit objectives. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P057 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Zinc (Zn) Water Quality Detection Limit Objective | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life, recreational water, other | requirement | 1 ug/L | Core list of general water quality analytes and associated detection limit objectives. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P058 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Copper (Cu) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.5 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of sediments (reported as dry weight). | Laboratory analysis of sediment samples. | high |
| #P059 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Mercury (Hg) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.05 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of sediments (reported as dry weight). | Laboratory analysis of sediment samples. | high |
| #P060 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Lead (Pb) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.1 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of sediments (reported as dry weight). | Laboratory analysis of sediment samples. | high |
| #P061 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Copper (Cu) Tissue Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.01 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of tissue residue in aquatic biota. | Laboratory analysis of tissue samples. | high |
| #P062 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Mercury (Hg) Tissue Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.002 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of tissue residue in aquatic biota. | Laboratory analysis of tissue samples. | high |
| #P063 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Lead (Pb) Tissue Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.004 ug/g | Parameters for laboratory analyses of tissue residue in aquatic biota. | Laboratory analysis of tissue samples. | high |
| #P064 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Acidity Sample Holding Time | other | requirement | 14 days | Maximum storage duration before analysis in laboratory. | Water samples stored at <=6°C. | high |
| #P065 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Alkalinity Sample Holding Time | other | requirement | 14 days | Maximum storage duration before analysis in laboratory. | Water samples stored at <=6°C. | high |
| #P066 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Holding Time | other | requirement | 7 days | Maximum storage duration before analysis in laboratory. | Water samples stored at <=6°C. | high |
| #P067 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Total Metals Water Sample Holding Time | other | requirement | 180 days | Maximum storage duration before analysis in laboratory. | Water samples preserved with HNO3. | high |
| #P068 | design | operational | guidance | Continuous Water Level Recorder Resolution | other | requirement | < 5 mm | Recommended resolution for continuous water level recording instruments to accomplish monitoring tasks. | Groundwater quantity baseline monitoring. | high |
| #P069 | physical | reporting | guideline | Redox Potential Precision Objective | aquatic life | OG | +/- 1 mV | Smallest increment that must be measured and reported for general water quality field measurements. | Field measurements of surface or groundwater. | high |
| #P070 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Total Hardness Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 1 mg/L | Analytical detection limit objective for water quality assessment. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P071 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Detection Limit Objective | other | requirement | 10 mg/L | Analytical detection limit objective for water quality assessment. | Laboratory analysis of water samples. | high |
| #P072 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Arsenic (As) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.2 ug/g | Detection limit objective for sediment analysis (dry weight). | Laboratory analysis of aquatic sediment samples. | high |
| #P073 | chemical | reporting | guidance | Cadmium (Cd) Sediment Detection Limit Objective | aquatic life | requirement | 0.05 ug/g | Detection limit objective for sediment analysis (dry weight). | Laboratory analysis of aquatic sediment samples. | high |
| #P074 | operational | operational | recommended | Periphyton Replicate Minimum | aquatic life | requirement | 10 replicates | Recommended default number of replicates to characterize periphyton community variability if a pilot assessment is not possible. | Periphyton monitoring in rivers and streams. | high |
| #P075 | physical | operational | recommended | Periphyton Replicate Velocity Variation | aquatic life | OG | < +/- 25 % | Variation limit for near-bottom velocity within a replicate group to reduce variability and improve data interpretation. | Selection of periphyton sampling points. | high |
| #P076 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) Sample Holding Time | other | requirement | 3 days | Maximum duration between sampling and analysis in the laboratory. | Water samples stored at <=6°C. | high |
| #P077 | operational | reporting | mandatory | Cyanide (SAD, WAD) Sample Holding Time | other | requirement | 14 days | Maximum duration between sampling and analysis in the laboratory. | Water samples stored in the dark at <=6°C with NaOH preservation. | high |
| Req ID | Category | Name | Context | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #D001 | baseline studies | information on relevant, pre-existing environmental conditions (i.e., before development) at the site of, or in the area surrounding, a proposed project, to determine actual project effects through comparisons with natural and existing conditions. | high | |
| #D002 | quality assurance | A system of activities whose purpose is to provide the producer or user of a product or service the assurance that it meets defined standards of quality with a stated level of confidence. It consists of two separate but related activities, quality control and quality assessment. | high | |
| #D003 | Baseline air quality | the pre-construction ambient air quality resulting from both anthropogenic and natural emissions. | high | |
| #D004 | Periphyton | a broad assemblage of organisms composed of attached algae, fungi, and bacteria, their secretions, associated detritus, and various species of microinvertebrates that occur on the sediment surface, sometimes referred to as 'biofilm'. | high | |
| #D005 | Macrophytes | aquatic plants that are often rooted or with roots and that have distinct component structures large enough to be visible to the naked eye. | high | |
| #D006 | cumulative effects | The effect on the environment which results from effects of a project when combined with those of other past, existing, and imminent projects and activities. These may occur over a certain period of time and distance. | high | |
| #D007 | HADD | any change in fish habitat that reduces its capacity to support one or more life processes of fish. | medium | |
| #D008 | Ambient | With respect to water quality, refers to a condition of site/watershed/waterbody that is not necessarily associated with episodic perturbations or disturbance caused by a given activity. This term is often used to describe the 'background' condition with respect to water quality, sediment, and biological characteristics. With respect to air quality, refers to the condition of the surrounding air. | high | |
| #D009 | Anisotropy | The property of being directionally dependent. | high | |
| #D010 | Application | An application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate and a permit to construct/operate or carry on the activity that is filed by the proponent. | high | |
| #D011 | Benthic macroinvertebrates | The bottom-dwelling animals (without backbones) that are retained in mesh sized 200-500 micrometers or are visible by the unaided eye. | high | |
| #D012 | Biological assessment/bioassessment | An evaluation of the biological condition of a site or waterbody using surveys of the structure and function of a community of resident biota. | high | |
| #D013 | Biota | The total fauna and flora of a region; the populations of living organisms in general. | high | |
| #D014 | Community structure | Taxonomic and quantitative attributes of a community, including species richness and relative abundance both structurally and functionally. | high | |
| #D015 | Designated water use | A water use that is protected at a specified location and is for one of the following uses: drinking water, public water supply, and food processing; aquatic life and wildlife; agriculture (e.g., livestock watering and/or irrigation); recreation and aesthetics; and industrial water supply. | high | |
| #D016 | Discharge | The total amount of solid, liquid, or gaseous waste introduced into the environment from mining-related activities, including effluent and reclaimed water. | high | |
| #D017 | Ecosystem | Any complex of living organisms interacting with nonliving chemical and physical components that together form and function as a natural environmental unit. | high | |
| #D018 | Groundwater | Subsurface water at or below a water table in fully saturated geological materials and formations. | high | |
| #D019 | Initial dilution zone | The three-dimensional zone around the point of discharge where mixing of the effluent and the receiving water occurs. | high | |
| #D020 | Isotropy | Exhibiting properties with the same values in all directions or uniformity in all directions. | high | |
| #D021 | Lentic systems | Standing freshwater habitats, environments, or ecosystems. They have no current, are non-moving, may be landlocked, are layered regions, and have greater biodiversity. Lakes and ponds are examples of lentic environments. | high | |
| #D022 | Lotic systems | Running freshwater habitats, environments, or ecosystems. They have current, are moving, change in elevation, have constant water supply, can freeze, have no layered regions, and are well oxygenated. Rivers and streams are examples of lotic environments. | high | |
| #D023 | Mitigation | Measures implemented to control, reduce, or eliminate a potential adverse impact of a project, including restorative measures. | high | |
| #D024 | Non-point source | A combination of a variety of pollution sources that are diffused and difficult or too small to measure on an individual basis. Agriculture and forestry are examples of non-point sources of pollution. From an air quality perspective, emissions from cars, fireplaces, and lawnmowers are combined into the category of non-point sources. | high | |
| #D025 | Point source | A single, stationary source of pollution that can be well defined. A pipe discharging effluent and a smokestack are examples of point sources. It is easy to measure and define the source of pollutants from a point source. It is also easy to regulate a point source using an effluent/emission permit process. | high | |
| #D026 | Specific storage | The amount of water that a portion of an aquifer releases from storage (per unit mass or volume of aquifer or per unit change in hydraulic head) while remaining fully saturated. | high | |
| #D027 | Water quality guideline | A maximum and/or minimum value for a physical, chemical, or biological characteristic of water, biota, or sediment that must not be exceeded. Water quality guidelines are developed in order to prevent specified detrimental effects from occurring to a water use, including aquatic life, under specified environmental conditions. The guidelines are applicable province-wide. The term 'water quality guideline' is equivalent to 'water quality criterion,' which the Province used in the past. | high | |
| #D028 | Water quality objective | A guideline value adapted or adopted to protect the most sensitive designated water use at a specified location with an adequate degree of safety, taking local circumstances into account. In a given waterbody, each objective may be based on the protection of a different water use, depending on the water uses that are most sensitive to the characteristics of concern in that waterbody. | high | |
| #D029 | sensitive airshed | 1. An area of degraded air quality, where ambient levels are approaching or exceeding established air quality criteria adopted by the province. This may include provincial and national objectives and standards. 2. An area where the level of impact posed to the environment, human health, or quality of life (e.g., visibility impairment, plume blight, economic development, and odour) from air pollutants requires a more stringent regulatory approach than would normally be applied. | high | |
| #D030 | continuum model | a model that looks at flow, chemical transport from a 'macroscopic' scale. It does not look at flow or transport in individual pores but treats the porous medium as a bulk entity. | high | |
| #D031 | discrete fracture model | can incorporate characteristics of specific types of porosity (such as discrete fractures or faults) of the porous medium in modelling flow and transport, but usually requires these types of porosity to be well characterized. | high | |
| #D032 | Macrohabitats | lengths of stream with similar channel characteristics, referred to as 'reaches' in RISC (2001a), in the Fish-Stream Identification Guidebook (BC MOF and BC MELP, 1998), and Johnston and Slaney (1996). | high | |
| #D033 | Mesohabitats | smaller habitat units defined by hydraulic characteristics. They typically include riffles, pools, glides, etc., as defined in Johnston and Slaney (1996), which also outlines standard methods for habitat surveys at this scale. | high | |
| #D034 | Microhabitats | habitat conditions at a specific vertical position on a cross-section. Variables measured quantitatively typically include depth, velocity, substrate, and cover. | high | |
| #D035 | harmful alteration | an indefinite reduction in capacity while maintaining some of the habitat | high | |
| #D036 | disruption | a short term reduction in capacity | high | |
| #D037 | destruction | permanent loss of capacity | high | |
| #D038 | Biological monitoring/biomonitoring | A method of inferring the condition of a site by examining the organisms (e.g., algae, fish, benthic macroinvertebrates) that live there. | high | |
| #D039 | Environmental Assessment | The process that provides a mechanism for reviewing major projects to assess their potential impacts. Addresses a broad range of environmental, economic, social, health, and heritage issues through a single, integrated process. | high | |
| #D040 | Environmental Assessment Office | The provincial body that manages the assessment of proposed major projects in British Columbia as required by the Environmental Assessment Act and regulations. | high | |
| #D041 | Environmental Assessment Certificate | If issued at the conclusion of an environmental assessment, allows a proponent to seek any other statutory authorizations needed to proceed with the project. | high | |
| #D042 | Fish Habitat | Spawning grounds and nursery, rearing, food supply, and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry out their life processes. | high | |
| #D043 | Fish Habitat Compensation | The replacement of natural habitat or increase in the productivity of existing habitat where mitigation techniques and other measures are not adequate to maintain habitats for Canada's fisheries resources. | high | |
| #D044 | PM10 or PM2.5 | Particulate matter. PM10 refers to particles in the air with aerodynamic diameters smaller than 10 micrometers, and PM2.5 are particles with an aerodynamic diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometers. | high | |
| #D045 | Permit | An authorization for introduction of waste into the environment subject to requirements for the protection of the environment that the issuer considers advisable. | high | |
| #D046 | Proponent | Any person or organization proposing to undertake a reviewable project in British Columbia, including the government of Canada, the government of British Columbia, a First Nation, a company, a municipality, a regional district, another province, or another jurisdiction. | high | |
| #D047 | Risk assessment | An estimate of the probability that environmental or health problems will result from a particular activity. | high | |
| #D048 | Science-based environment benchmark | a quantifiable receiving environment parameter or attribute protective of freshwater aquatic life that is developed by a qualified professional through a rigorous scientific process with the intent to inform management decisions and guide mitigative actions for a regulated mining activity at a specific location. | high | |
| #D049 | Specific yield | The volume of water released by drainage (per unit area) from an aquifer as a result of a unit decline in groundwater level. For non-cohesive sediments or bedrock, the specific yield can be approximated as the effective porosity. | high | |
| #D050 | ABA | acid base accounting | high | |
| #D051 | AIR | Application Information Requirements | high | |
| #D052 | ARD | acid rock drainage | high | |
| #D053 | BACI | before-after-control-impact | high | |
| #D054 | EEM | environmental effects monitoring | high | |
| #D055 | ML | metal leaching | high | |
| #D056 | PAG | potentially acid generating | high | |
| #D057 | WQO | water quality objective | high | |
| #D058 | AP | acid potential | high | |
| #D059 | ARD/ML | acid rock drainage and metal leaching | high | |
| #D060 | ARIS | Assessment Report Indexing System | high | |
| #D061 | BCELTAC | BC Environmental Laboratories Technical Advisory Committee | high | |
| #D062 | BCGS | BC Geological Survey | high | |
| #D063 | CABIN | Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network | high | |
| #D064 | CALA | Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation | high | |
| #D065 | CaNP | carbonate neutralization potential | high | |
| #D066 | CCME | Canadian Council for Ministers of the Environment | high | |
| #D067 | CES | cumulative effects assessment | high | |
| #D068 | CEAA | Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency | high | |
| #D069 | CEAA | Canadian Environmental Assessment Act | high | |
| #D070 | CLIR | Cross-Linked Information Resources | high | |
| #D071 | DFO | Department of Fisheries and Oceans (now Fisheries and Oceans Canada) | high | |
| #D072 | DL | detection limit (of a laboratory analysis) | high | |
| #D073 | EAO | Environmental Assessment Office | high | |
| #D074 | EIRS | Environmental Information Resources System | high | |
| #D075 | EMS | Environmental Monitoring System | high | |
| #D076 | EPD | Environmental Protection Division, Ministry of Environment | high | |
| #D077 | FDIS | Field Data Information System | high | |
| #D078 | FISS | Fisheries Information Summary System | high | |
| #D079 | FPCBC | Forest Practices Code of BC | high | |
| #D080 | GSC | Geological Survey of Canada | high | |
| #D081 | HSI | Habitat Suitability Index | high | |
| #D082 | IDF | intensity-duration-frequency | high | |
| #D083 | IFS | Instream Flow Study | high | |
| #D084 | ISO | International Standards Organization | high | |
| #D085 | MDRC | Mine Development Review Committee | high | |
| #D086 | MEM | Ministry of Energy and Mines | high | |
| #D087 | MFLNRO | Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations | high | |
| #D088 | NFCP | Nechako Fisheries Conservation Program | high | |
| #D089 | NNP | net neutralization potential | high | |
| #D090 | NP | neutralization potential | high | |
| #D091 | NPR | neutralization potential ratio | high | |
| #D092 | NRCan | Natural Resources Canada | high | |
| #D093 | PAH | polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons | high | |
| #D094 | PEL | probably effect level | high | |
| #D095 | PeWQO | preliminary water quality objectives | high | |
| #D096 | QA | quality assurance | high | |
| #D097 | QA/QC | quality assurance/quality control | high | |
| #D098 | QP | qualified professional | high | |
| #D099 | RCA | reference condition approach | high | |
| #D100 | RISC | Resource Information Standards Committee | high | |
| #D101 | RMDRC | Regional Mine Development Review Committee | high | |
| #D102 | SALM | strong acid leachable metals | high | |
| #D103 | SCC | Standards Council of Canada | high | |
| #D104 | SHIM | Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping | high | |
| #D105 | SQG | sediment quality guideline | high | |
| #D106 | SWE | snow-water equivalent | high | |
| #D107 | TAR | Technical Assessment Report | high | |
| #D108 | TEL | threshold effect level | high | |
| #D109 | TOC | total organic carbon | high | |
| #D110 | TRG | tissue residue guideline | high | |
| #D111 | TSS | total suspended solids | high | |
| #D112 | VEC | valuable ecosystem components | high | |
| #D113 | WIDM | Water Information Data Management database | high | |
| #D114 | WQG | water quality guideline | high | |
| #D115 | WSC | Water Survey of Canada | high | |
| #D116 | BC Water Quality Guidelines | safe levels of substances for the protection of a given water use, including drinking water, aquatic life, wildlife, recreation, irrigation, and agriculture. | high | |
| #D117 | Site-specific Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) | numerical concentrations or narrative statements that establish the conditions necessary to support and protect the most sensitive designated use of water at a specified location. | high | |
| #D118 | EA | environmental assessment | high | |
| #D119 | EAA | Environmental Assessment Act | high | |
| #D120 | EMA | Environmental Management Act | high | |
| #D121 | MOE | Ministry of Environment | high | |
| #D122 | SBEB | science-based environmental benchmark | high | |
| #D123 | HADD | harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat (as per Fisheries Act Canada) | high | |
| #D124 | Baseline study | Information about relevant, pre-existing environmental, economic, social, heritage, and/or health conditions at the site of, or in the area surrounding, a proposed project to enable a determination of actual project effects through comparisons before and after development. | high | |
| #D125 | PeWQOs | preliminary water quality objectives ... established ... for each priority contaminant based on the lowest WQG levels to protect the most sensitive water uses at the site. | high | |
| #D126 | initial dilution zone | the initial portion of the larger effluent mixing zone. The extent of an initial dilution zone is defined on a site-specific basis and considers water uses, aquatic life including migratory fish, and other waste discharges. Initial dilution zones are normally relatively small (e.g., up to 100 m from the point of effluent discharge, but not exceeding 25-50% of the width of the water body) and are essential to allow for the initial mixing between effluents and the receiving water. | high | |
| #D127 | Quantity | includes both water levels and groundwater flow. | high | |
| #D128 | MPA | Mine Permit Application | high | |
| #D129 | CEAA follow-up program | typically involves environmental effects monitoring, but it could also include an assessment of the accuracy of the assessment and the effectiveness of the mitigation. | high | |
| #D130 | monitoring well | analogous to a piezometer. | high | |
| #D131 | observation well | analogous to a piezometer. | high | |
| #D132 | No Net Loss | productive fish habitat is preserved under this principle; however, unavoidable habitat losses are balanced with compensatory habitat replacement or offsets on a project-by-project basis to prevent a net habitat loss. | high |