ENVIROFOR REPORTER

ENERGY AND MINES NEWS
B.C. to ban mining in Flathead Valley The B.C. government has announced plans to ban all mining and oil and gas development in the Flathead Valley, located in the southeastern corner of the province. The government still plans to allow some logging in the valley, along with hunting and other recreation — but mining and petroleum is out. Read the full story as reported by the CBC News.
ENERGY AND MINES
Act or Regulation Affected	Effective Date	Amendment Information
Oil and Gas Commission Levy and Orphan Site Reclamation Fund Tax Regulation (363/98)	Feb. 1/10	see Reg 285/2009
FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT NEWS
2010 Podiums put B.C. wood in the world spotlight British Columbia wood is sharing the spotlight with the world's best athletes thanks to 23 podiums built from timber donated by communities, First Nations, and businesses from across the province. The podiums are built from one of 18 different wood types. The wood for each podium was harvested from a specific area or community, linking the individual podiums to the people and communities that provided the wood. See the full story in the Council of Forest Industries newsletter. BC’s 2010 Throne Speech - Untapping BC’s clean energy potential The 2010 Olympics and the economy were principal topics of the recent throne speech, of course, but the BC government's commitment to revamping the Province's clean energy industry also featured prominently. For highlights from the speech relevant to the clean energy sector, read the full story as summarized in the British Columbia Renewable Energy blog. Local Governments join Province to pursue wood first Mayors of the seven municipalities that have passed Wood First Resolutions in their communities signed a memorandum of understanding with the Province of B.C. The agreement recognizes the opportunity for local governments to become wood champions and support the Government of British Columbia’s Wood First Act by advocating for the adoption of Wood First resolutions by municipalities throughout B.C. Read the full news release.
FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT
Act or Regulation Affected	Effective Date	Amendment Information
Reporting Regulation (272/2009)	Feb. 4/10	see Reg 36/2010
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Vol: III – Issue: II – February 2010

ENVIROFOR NEWS: Historical Changes Tool We are pleased to report that all remaining BC Statutes now include the historical changes tool that was introduced last month. To access this new feature, click the View Historical Changes link at the top of the table of contents of any BC Act. If there have been no recent changes, click on the link to View pre-1997 changes. Work now begins to incorporate a similar table for regulations. We will keep you posted as development progresses. Budget Offers Few Surprises Highlights of the recently unveiled budget include: Details of a plan to allow families with children under 18 years old to defer property taxes until they sell their homes, a program announced earlier in the year. The return of the LiveSmartBC homeowners program, with $35 million in funding to provide grants for homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. Access by community groups to an additional $8 million in gaming grants. Overall the program will be increased to $112 million, down from $156 million. No significant changes for the planned rollout of the harmonized sales tax on July 1, except that all revenue from the tax will be earmarked specifically for health care. A new 2010 sports and art legacy fund, which will get $30 million for youth sports, coaching and athlete development and $30 million for arts and cultural events and organizations. A new northern and rural homeowners grant, worth up to $200, for homeowners outside the Lower Mainland and Victoria's Capital Regional District. Read the full story as reported by the CBC News. See the Budget Measures Implementation Act, 2010 [2010 Bill 2]. Province promises action on environmental protection, job creation and affordable housing The recent throne speech emphasized regulatory reform and modest initiatives, continuing last year's shift away from new programs and spending. The speech promised action on issues such as environmental protection, job creation and affordable housing, all through changes to existing laws or regulations. See the full story as reported by the Vancouver Sun. Tip: Log in to EnviroFor Online prior to clicking Reporter links

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