The Environmental Management Act requires that a Site Disclosure Statement (SDS) be completed and submitted for all applications for zoning amendments, and applications for development permits and building permits for an activity that will likely disturb soil on the land.

Within 15 days of receiving a SDS as part of a complete application package, the Regional District will determine whether the SDS is required under the Act and if it needs to be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Parks.

An SDS must be submitted to the Province where the completed SDS indicates that the subject property has been used for an industrial or commercial use identified in Schedule 2 of the Contaminated Sites Regulation and no exemption applies.

What if the property has never been used for a Schedule 2 use has occurred or if the property has been used for a Schedule 2 use and an exemption applies?

If the property has never been used for a Schedule 2 use or it is determined that an exemption applies in a case where the property has been used for a Schedule 2 use, the Regional District would retain your submitted SDS for recordkeeping purposes, and the application process would continue.

What if the property has been used for a Schedule 2 use and there are no applicable exemptions?

If a Schedule 2 use has taken place on the property and it is determined that no exemptions apply, the Regional District would forward the SDS to the Ministry of Environment and Parks and the applicant (NOTE: it is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Ministry to discuss requirements to proceed).

In this case, the Regional District would not be able to approve the application until the Ministry removes the restrictions on approval.

For more information, please contact the Planning Services Division at planning@rdos.bc.ca or 250-490-4108.

For any questions pertaining to the requirements of the Environmental Management Act or Contaminated Sites Regulation, please contact the Ministry of Environment and Parks.