Funds help develop new guide for contaminated sites

Victoria, BC – BC’s provincial government is providing $100,000 to the Science Advisory Board for Contaminated Sites in British Columbia (SABCS) to complete two scientific projects to be used in developing regulatory guidance.

The work of the SABCS, an independent scientific advisory body, is very important for the application of current and innovative scientific methodology to the management of contaminated sites, said Barry Penner, the province’s environment minister, in making the announcement. This contribution will help the advisory board continue its work.

The funds will help complete work to update the scientific risk-based methods used to develop standards for contaminants present in soil at contaminated sites throughout the province. The standards are used in the assessment and remediation of sites under the contaminated sites regulation.

The funding is also intended to help in the development of a concise, practical and science-based methodology for detailed ecological risk assessment. The new methodology will enhance the practice of risk assessment and risk management within the province.

This funding will allow the SABCS to develop key scientific tools for use by site developers and environmental experts, said Dr Paul West, the board chair.