BC Environmental LegislationThe BC Ministry of Environment has posted a Fact Sheet on Increased Flood Risk Environmental Protection Measures for Periods of Flood Risk May Occur in B.C. The ministry's Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response web site states that "unless appropriate steps are taken to protect ourselves and the environment, flooding can cause many serious problems including property damage, loss of land due to erosion, serious health hazards and in extreme cases even death. Flood water can also be heavily contaminated with sewage and other pollutants such as pesticides, oil or chemical waste." This web site also contains information on topics such as personal flood preparedness, prevention and recovery; floodwater hazards; sandbag dike construction, as well as the Flood Planning and Response Guide for British Columbia. Special Procedures for Contaminated Sites: Contaminated sites and associated remediation works located in floodplains are subject to an increased risk during periods of flooding. Please ensure that appropriate measures are taken at these sites to protect human health and safety and prevent spills and pollution in the event of a flood. Such measures may include, but are not limited to: 1) Reducing or eliminating inventories of materials such as dangerous goods, hazardous wastes, fuels, products, liquids, and materials that may be dissolved or leached by water that may spill or cause pollution in the event of a flood. Inventory levels should be reduced to the minimum necessary to maintain operations during the increased flood risk period, and materials should only be delivered by suppliers on an as-needed basis. Wherever possible, materials should be temporarily moved to other sites located in areas not subject to flooding until the flood risk has subsided. 2) Ensuring that an Emergency Response Plan is in place, up-to-date and ready to be implemented on short notice. This includes having a call-out procedure and a contact list
with appropriate personnel who are available on a 24-hour/7-day per week basis ready to take immediate response measures in the event of a flood emergency. The B.C. Guidelines for Industry Emergency Response Plans may be accessed at More information on this subject is available at:  |