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Vol: III  –   Issue: X  –   October 2010

ENVIROFOR NEWS:

Premier Gordon Campbell calls it quits
Premier Gordon Campbell announced his resignation Wednesday morning, saying “it’s time for a new person to lead the province.” Campbell said after significant “soul searching” and consultation with his family, he decided to resign. It was a shocking move for a premier who has weathered many storms, and won a majority in the last election. See the News Story as reported by the Province. Also see the complete Statement from Premier Campbell.

Cabinet changes announced
Just recently, Premier Gordon Campbell realigned the provincial cabinet to ensure government’s continued focus on supporting families, education and the economy. The changes included one new cabinet minister and new or changed portfolios for 16 of the current ministers. See Order in Council 652/2010 and the News Release. Also see the Master List of Acts and Minister Reponsible.

Tax relief announced for British Columbians
Effective Jan. 1, 2011, a 15 per cent reduction in personal income tax rates, for the first $72,000 of personal income for all British Columbians, was recently announced. This is the second-largest personal income tax relief measure in B.C. history, ensuring B.C. individuals pay the lowest provincial income tax in Canada, on incomes up to $130,000. See the News Release.

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ENERGY AND MINES NEWS

Rules support responsible natural gas, petroleum growth
New regulatory changes move B.C. to the forefront of the petroleum and natural gas sector in North America, supporting growth and jobs in a vibrant industry, while protecting the province’s natural beauty, announced Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Minister Bill Bennett. These changes came into effect on Oct. 4 with the formal implementation of the Oil and Gas Activities Act (OGAA) and its regulations. Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, OGAA and its regulations will modernize a regulatory framework that is almost 50 years old. The Pipeline Act, the Oil and Gas Commission Act and the regulatory provisions currently found in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Act will be repealed and will now be governed under the Oil and Gas Activities Act. See the News Release.

MABC Deeply Disappointed by Federal Decision
on the Prosperity Mine

The Mining Association of British Columbia (MABC) is very disappointed in the recent decision by the federal government to reject the Prosperity gold-copper mine located near Williams Lake, owned by Vancouver-based Taseko Mines Limited. Major mines are rare but very valuable to the economy, and Prosperity offered much in terms of job creation, royalties and tax revenues and new opportunities for First Nations and the Williams Lake region. The balance between economic, social and environmental values led the province to approve the proposal for Prosperity. See the Full Article as posted by MABC.

BC Cabinet Shuffle Creates a New Ministry of Natural Resource Operations Separate from Forests, Mines and Lands
The recent cabinet changes separated the policy and administration, research and revenue portfolio of three former ministries (responsible for forests and range; energy, mines and petroleum resources; and agriculture and lands) from their licensing, permitting and operations responsibilities. The newly created Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands, under Hon. Pat Bell, will be responsible for a broad range of public policy, tenure administration, revenue, market pricing and investment administration and land management initiatives. See the Full Article as posted by Davis LLP.

Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia comments
on the recent BC Cabinet and Ministry Shuffle

Recently, cabinet changes were announced that realigned the provincial government organizational structure, particularly in regard to natural resources management. AME BC staff have discussed the changes with several ministers and will monitor how changes affect members; here are immediate effects on key operational areas of government.

  1. All mineral exploration, mine permitting and regulation will be under the new Ministry of Natural Resource Operations, headed by Minister Steve Thomson.
  2. The Mines Inspectorate has been relocated into the new Ministry of Natural Resource Operations as well. The Chief Mines Inspector, Al Hoffman, remains the statutory authority for mining and mine review committees continue to be the vehicle for dealing with mine permitting and amendments. At this time, AME BC understands that the role and authority of the Chief Gold Commissioner will also be part of the new Ministry of Natural Resource Operations under Minister Steve Thomson.
  3. A new Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands has been established, headed by Hon. Pat Bell (formerly Minister of Forests and Lands and a former Minister of State for Mining). Hon. Randy Hawes remains Minister of State for Mining and is also part of this ministry. This new ministry is responsible for forestry, mines and lands policy (the new Ministry of Energy, headed by Hon. Bill Bennett, is similarly structured), so all legislative or policy developments will flow from this ministry. However, only the BC Geological Survey, which includes the Mineral Development Office, has been moved into this ministry from the former Ministry of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.
See the Full Article as posted by AME BC.

ENERGY AND MINES
Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Clean or Renewable Resource Regulation (291/2010) NEW
Oct. 5/10
see Reg 291/2010
Coal Act Oct. 4/10 by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, ss. 2 and 3 only (Reg 274/2010) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010
Consultation and Notification Regulation (279/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
see Reg 279/2010
Drilling and Production Regulation (282/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
see Reg 282/2010
Drilling and Production Regulation (362/98) REPEALED
Oct. 4/10
by Reg 282/2010
Energy Resources Regulation (277/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
see Reg 277/2010
Environmental Protection and Management Regulation (200/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
see Reg 200/2010
Exempt Projects, Programs, Contracts and Expenditures Regulation (302/2010) NEW
Oct. 19/10
see Reg 302/2010 (Note: this replaces Reg 235/2010 which was deemed invalid)
Fee, Levy and Security Regulation (278/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
see Reg 278/2010
Gas Safety Regulation (103/2004) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 290/2010
Geophysical Exploration Regulation (280/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
see Reg 280/2010
Geophysical Exploration Regulation (361/98) REPEALED
Oct. 4/10
by Reg 280/2010
Geothermal Geophysical Exploration Regulation (358/98) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Geothermal Resources Act Oct. 4/10 by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, s. 6 only (Reg 274/2010) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 and by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, ss. 131(a)-(c), and 143(b) only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Mineral Land Tax Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 147 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Mineral Tenure Act Oct. 4/10 by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, ss. 9 to 11 only (Reg 274/2010) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 
Mines Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 148 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Mining Right of Way Act Oct. 4/10 by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, ss. 12 and 13 only (Reg 274/2010) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 
Oil and Gas Activities Act Oct. 4/10 c. 36 (SBC 2008) 2008 Bill 20 in force by Reg 274/2010 as amended by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, ss. 15 to 48 only (in force by Royal Assent) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 
Oil and Gas Activities Act General Regulation (274/2010) Oct. 4/10 see Reg 274/2010
Petroleum and Natural Gas (Vancouver Island Railway Lands) Act Oct. 4/10 by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, ss. 57 and 58 only (Reg 274/2010) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 
Petroleum and Natural Gas Act Oct. 4/10 by 2010 Bill 8, c. 9, ss. 49 to 56 only (Reg 274/2010) Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources Statutes Amendment Act, 2010  and by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, ss. 152(a),(c)-(f),(j), 153, 158-162, 164-170, 172, 173, 182-184, 186-189, 192-195(a), (c), (e), (g) and 196-199 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Petroleum and Natural Gas General Regulation (357/98) Oct. 4/10 by Regs 269/2010 and 275/2010
Petroleum and Natural Gas Royalty and Freehold Production Tax Regulation (495/92) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Petroleum and Natural Gas Storage Reservoir Regulation (350/97) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Pipeline and Liquefied Natural Gas Facility Regulation (281/2010) NEW
Oct. 4/10
all in force except 7(1)(b) & (d), see Reg 281/2010
Pipeline Regulation (360/98) REPEALED
Oct. 4/10
by Reg 281/2010
Public Utility Regulation (174/2006) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Sour Pipeline Regulation (359/98) REPEALED
Oct. 4/10
by Reg 281/2010
Utilities Commission Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 203 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT NEWS

BC Cabinet Shuffle Creates a New Ministry of Natural Resource Operations Separate from Forests, Mines and Lands
The recent cabinet changes separated the policy and administration, research and revenue portfolio of three former ministries (responsible for forests and range; energy, mines and petroleum resources; and agriculture and lands) from their licensing, permitting and operations responsibilities. The newly created Ministry of Forests, Mines and Lands, under Hon. Pat Bell, will be responsible for a broad range of public policy, tenure administration, revenue, market pricing and investment administration and land management initiatives. See the Full Article as posted by Davis.

Reaction to BC Cabinet Shuffle
After almost 100 years, the B.C. Forest Service has reached a parting of the ways. Key operations, including approval of cutting permits, compliance, investment, and wildfire management are being separated from the policy-making side and dispersed to a new ministry of natural resource operations. Other ministries with responsibility for provincial lands, resources and the environment are being subjected to top-to-bottom reorganization as well. Mines, long yoked with energy, has been dispersed in two directions, the policy side paired with what’s left of forestry, while operations went to the ministry of natural resource operations (MNRO) as well. The environment ministry “has been reduced in size and function,” as the government itself put it this week. Policy remains in house. The rest is MNRO-bound. See the News Story as posted by the Vancouver Sun.

United States requests consultations with Canada
under Softwood Lumber Agreement

United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk announced recently that the United States has requested consultations with Canada under the 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement (SLA) regarding the apparent unfair under-pricing of timber harvested from public lands in the Interior region of British Columbia. Requesting consultations under the SLA initiates the dispute settlement process and provides an opportunity for the United States and Canada to exchange views and attempt to resolve their differences. If the matter is not resolved during consultations, either the United States or Canada may request arbitration. See the Press Release.

Some deals stink: Land transactions involving
environmental contamination
Re: Environmental Management Act

Lawyers like chasing down “environmental angles” on their files just about as much as they like chasing down tax angles. Whether it’s a corporate or commercial transaction, or dealing directly with real property, clients need both legal and technical guidance on lurking environmental issues. Here is an example of a situation encountered every day by commercial solicitors: the purchase and sale of land. If there is one thing unwitting purchasers of contaminated land have in common, it is that each wishes they would have simply found out the site was contaminated so that the contamination could have been considered along with all other important factors in the deal. Some insight into this area of law can help to avoid certain pitfalls. See the Full Article as posted by Harper Grey's Environmental Practice Group.

FORESTRY AND ENVIRONMENT
Act or Regulation Affected Effective Date Amendment Information
Closed Areas Regulation (76/84) Oct. 15/10 by Reg 301/2010
Contaminated Sites Regulation (375/96) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 286/2010
Environmental Management Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, ss. 119 to 122 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Forest Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 125 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Oct. 21/10 by 2010 Bill 7, c. 11, s. 2 only (Reg 310/2010) Forests and Range Statutes Amendment Act, 2010
Forest and Range Practices Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, ss. 126 to 128 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Forest Planning and Practices Regulation (14/2004) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Hunting Regulation (190/84) Oct. 15/10 by Reg 301/2010
Innovative Forestry Practices Regulation (197/97) Oct. 21/10 by Reg 310/2010
In-SHUCK-ch Designated Area No. 2 (239/2009) REPEALED
Oct. 8/10
by Reg 298/2010
In-SHUCK-ch Designated Area No. 3 (298/2010) NEW
Oct. 8/10
see Reg 298/2010
Land Surveyors Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 144 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Limited Entry Hunting Regulation (134/93) Oct. 15/10 by Reg 301/2010
Motor Vehicle Prohibition Regulation (196/99) Oct. 15/10 by Reg 301/2010
Muskwa-Kechika Management Area Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 149 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Muskwa-Kechika Management Plan Regulation (53/2002) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Oil and Gas Waste Regulation (254/2005) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Park Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 151 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Pipeline Regulation (360/98) REPEALED
Oct. 4/10
by Reg 281/2010
Protected Areas of British Columbia Act Oct. 8/10 by 2010 Bill 15, c. 13, s. 4 only (Reg 293/2010) Protected Areas of British Columbia Amendment Act, 2010
Sea to Sky Phase 1 Designated Area Regulation  (297/2007) REPEALED
Oct. 31/10
by Reg 297/2007
Sea to Sky Phase 2 Designated Area Regulation (101/2008)
REPEALED
Oct. 31/10
by Reg 101/2008
Sour Pipeline Regulation (359/98) REPEALED
Oct. 4/10
by Reg 281/2010
Water Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 204 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Water Regulation (204/88) Oct. 4/10 by Reg 269/2010
Wildfire Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 205 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
Wildlife Act Oct. 4/10 by 2008 Bill 20, c. 36, s. 206 only (Reg 274/2010Oil and Gas Activities Act
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