In (BC), the Riparian Areas Regulation was amended on 1 November 2019 and became the RIPARIAN AREAS Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR). The RAPR is a directive for local governments to PROTECTION REGULATION support the protection of riparian areas during residential, commercial, and industrial development ASSESSMENTS & REPORTING by ensuring that a Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) conducts a science-based IN BRITISH COLUMBIA assessment of proposed activities. Unless otherwise exempt under the regulations, a RAPR assessment and associated report is required for development requiring a local government permit.

Are You Affected? One of the key changes to the RAPR was the requirement for all QEPs If your development activities (e.g., residential, commercial, performing assessments under or industrial) are near a stream, wetland, or waterbody and the regulation to take a require a local government permit in any of the following regional mandatory QEP training districts, you are likely affected and require a RAPR assessment and course, currently only associated reporting. offered through • Capital • Columbia Shuswap Regional Vancouver Island • Comox Valley Regional District District University. • Fraser Valley Regional District • Cowichan Valley Regional District • Metro Vancouver Regional District, • qathet Regional District other than within the boundaries of • Regional District of the City of Vancouver • Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen • Regional District of Central Okanagan • Strathcona Regional District • Regional District of North Okanagan • Squamish-Lillooet Regional District • Thompson-Nicola Regional District • Sunshine Coast Regional District

Additionally, RAPR assessments and associated reporting is required for the trust area, which includes all the land, except land situated within a reserve as defined in theIndian Act, on all the islands situated in the , Howe Sound and Haro Strait (and as further described in the RAPR). If you are unsure, meet with Integrated Sustainability for a free consultation.

How Could this Affect You?

Local governments must cooperate with the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development; and therefore, development permits will not be issued to developers without prior review and acceptance of the RAPR report, by the Minister, where required. Any contravention or failure to engage an appropriately educated, registered, and trained QEP may result in financial penalties, schedule delays, or require restoration of impacted lands.

FINANCIAL SCHEDULE REQUIRED PENALTIES DELAYS RESTORATION Riparian Areas Protection Regulation Process Integrated Sustainability will help you interpret and understand the implications of the 2019 Riparian Areas Protection Regulation revisions and can support you throughout the entire assessment, reporting, and review process. A free project review meeting is a cost-effective first step to determining whether your project requires a RAPR assessment and next steps. This meeting would include a discussion of proposed project activities, location, and timing of construction activities.

Other Services & Next Steps Integrated Sustainability can support compliance under the Riparian Areas Protection Act and determine whether a RAPR assessment and associated reporting is required for your project. We can assist in managing these, sometimes challenging to understand and new requirements in a timely and cost-effective manner. Integrated Sustainability can also support with preparing additional associated documentation and reporting, to maintain compliance with other provincial (e.g. Water Sustainability Act) and federal (e.g. Fisheries Act) legislation, which may include: • Summarizing project activities • Completing a fish habitat assessment • Completing a hydrology assessment and bathymetric survey • Completing a baseline environmental assessment • Developing mitigation strategies • Preparation and submission of regulatory applications • Responding to supplemental information requests from regulators

Schedule & Cost A project review meeting can be scheduled at no cost and will confirm whether a RAPR assessment and associated reporting is required. Costs to complete a RAPR assessment and associated reporting are project dependent and a cost estimate can be provided within as little as 1 week from the date of the project review meeting. The cost and schedule of the assessment may vary, depending on project activities and site-specific conditions.

Questions? CONTACT US

Robert Best, M.Sc., P.Biol., R.P.Bio. Tanya Cairns, M.Sc., B.Comm. Senior Aquatic Biologist & Director, Science & Consulting Services Manager, Water Resources 403.617.5743 403.618.9314 [email protected] [email protected] www.IntegratedSustainability.ca www.IntegratedSustainability.ca