MABC Supports Federal Commitment to Streamline Review Process for Mining Projects
The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) commends the federal government for the commitment shown in today’s budget to modernize the review process for resource projects based on the principle of “one project, one review”. The MABC is also pleased to see the commitments to invest in aboriginal training and education, and changes to the immigration rules, both of which will support the industry’s growing labour needs. With new and expanding mining projects proposed across BC, it is timely for the federal government to propose to modernize the review process for major economic projects. The goal of establishing clear timelines and reducing duplication and regulatory burden can be expected to improve Canada’s competitiveness in the resource sector, help create jobs and ensure the environment is protected. Read the MABC news release.

New Rules Proposed for U.S. Power Plants
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed on Tuesday a rule to cut carbon dioxide emissions from power plants. The EPA Proposal will effectively require any new coal-fired plants to incorporate carbon capture and storage (“CCS”) equipment. The proposal does not affect currently operating plants, or plants that already have permits and begin construction within 12 months. View the full article by Michael Styczen, P.Eng with Davis LLP.

Natural Resource Compliance Act Now in Force
The new Natural Resource Compliance Act, c. 21 [SBC 2011] came into force by B.C. Regulation 38/2012 on March 8^th. Originally introduced in October of 2011, this new law intends to make it easier for compliance and enforcement officers to hold offenders accountable for violating natural resource legislation.

Confused About Resource Road Policy Direction?
Given discussions and developments around drafting a new Natural Resource Road Act (NRRA) and with WorkSafeBC’s Resource Road Compliance initiative underway (and proceeding along Phase 2), a lot of us are wondering what direction resource roads are headed, especially with respect to safety management policies. It’s fair to say there are a lot of unanswered questions, since many of the key decisions have not yet been made. But there are a few things happening that can shed some light on developments, and possibly the direction moving forward. These are some of the items discussed in a recent notice published by the BC Forest Safety Council. Click here to view the article in Rumblings.

Park Legislation Change Raises Concerns About Use
A section tucked away in an omnibus bill introduced in the legislature this session is raising fears that the government wants to reduce public consultation and competition on park uses. The proposed legislation "eliminates the requirements for advertising an intention to issue a park-use permit or resource-use permit and obtaining the approval of a committee before issuing the permit," say explanatory notes on the bill. Permits are required when private operators organize activities, from guided hikes to research, in parks. Read more.

Changes to Federal Fish Habitat Legislation
Critics Accuse Government of Gutting Fish Protection
The Harper government is planning to gut federal laws intended to protect fish habitat, making it easier for projects like Enbridge Inc.'s Northern Gateway pipeline to clear federal hurdles, according to a retired fisheries biologist who obtained the information from a government source. Proposed new wording would prohibit activity that would cause an "adverse effect" on "fish of economic, cultural or ecological value", whereas the current law bans activity that results in the "harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat", according to the information leaked to Otto Langer. Read more.

Liberals 'Sneaky' with Grab-Bag Legislation
The BC Liberals recently introduced Bill 25, an omnibus bill to change 10 BC laws from aboriginal relations, crop insurance, local government, to the Parks Act. In recent years, the Liberals have used the cover of grab-bag miscellaneous bills to pass controversial changes to the Elections Act, the Police Complaint Commissioner Act and other laws. Environment Minister Terry Lake takes issue with comments about the Parks Act amendments being "sneaky." Read more.

Minister Costing Logging Jobs, Critics Say
BC Forests Minister Steve Thomson has overruled recommendations from his own advisory board on log exports dozens of times in the past three months, electing to send millions of dollars worth of raw logs to Asia rather than local mills. The minister’s decisions effectively put logging profits ahead of jobs in BC mills, says a forestry executive whose bid for coastal logs was approved by the minister’s Timber Export Advisory Committee but quashed by the minister. Read more.