| #Q001 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Qualified Professional Sign-off Statement | wastewater, other | Each qualified professional signing-off on components of the TAR or EIA is to provide a signed statement, specifying the sections they are responsible for and confirming that all of that respective information required has been provided and that it is true and complete based on their professional knowledge and judgment. | When signing-off on components of the TAR or EIA. | high |
| #Q002 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Inclusion of Signed Statements | wastewater, other | Signed statements should be included as an Appendix in the application and should contain professional association affiliation and membership number. | When submitting the application. | high |
| #Q003 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Submission of Application Form and Fees | wastewater | In addition to providing technical information to address these TOR, the proponent must submit an application form for authorization to discharge effluent under EMA and ensure application fees are included. | When applying for authorization to discharge effluent. | high |
| #Q004 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Submission of Table of Concordance Checklist | wastewater | To expedite review of EMA effluent discharge permit applications for new or significantly expanded mines, proponents must submit a completed checklist per Technical Guidance 2 - Table of Concordance as part of the application package to the EPD. | When applying for new or significantly expanded mines. | high |
| #Q005 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Baseline Information Collection Program | wastewater, aquatic life, drinking water, agricultural water | A baseline program must collect and assess sufficient physical, chemical and biological information to: describe meteorological and climatic conditions; describe geology, geochemistry and topography; characterize surface water hydrology and groundwater hydrogeology; establish a water balance for the drainage area; document surface and groundwater uses within and downstream of the project area; determine surface water, groundwater and sediment quality prior to disturbance; and describe aquatic ecosystem attributes such as fish and fish habitat, tissue residues, and periphyton and benthic invertebrate communities. | Prior to project disturbance or permit application. | high |
| #Q006 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Detailed Description of Baseline Methodologies | wastewater | The application must describe in detail: sampling methods, sample preparation and hold times, analytical methods, analytical detection limits, quality assurance/quality control procedures, data analysis methods, and any assumptions. | Within the application baseline summary. | high |
| #Q007 | reporting | operational | mandatory | Distribution of Draft Baseline-Monitoring Program | wastewater | It is essential that a draft of the mine baseline-monitoring program be distributed to the Mine Review Committee (MRC) and the Mine Development Review Committee (MDRC) early in the review process to ensure that the program will meet permitting requirements. | Early in the review process. | high |
| #Q008 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Provision of Raw Data | wastewater, other | Raw data should be included in appendices, provided on CD, DVD or USB memory stick with the application, and if applicable, uploaded for storage in the Ministry of Environment's EMS (Environmental Monitoring System) database. | When submitting the application. | high |
| #Q009 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Characterization of Metal Leaching/Acid Rock Drainage | wastewater, other | The geochemistry of all geologic materials to be disturbed or created during mining must be characterized. | For materials to be investigated for metal leaching and acid rock drainage potential. | high |
| #Q010 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Removal of High Turbidity Samples | drinking water, agricultural water, other | Samples with turbidity values greater than 200 NTU should be removed from the data set prior to analysis; | When analyzing groundwater chemistry data. | high |
| #Q011 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Fisheries Scientific Collection Permits | aquatic life | Proponents must contact regional FLNRO fisheries staff for scientific collection permits and ensure study methods are consistent with regional and provincial protocols. | When studying resident fish populations and habitat. | high |
| #Q012 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Waste Treatment and Discharge Information Requirement | wastewater | Detailed waste treatment and discharge information must be included in the application for permits under EMA. | When submitting an application for permits under EMA. | high |
| #Q013 | design | operational | recommended | Selection of Adequate Pollution Control Works | wastewater | ENV expects applicants to select works, management practices and/or systems adequate to meet or exceed the statutory requirements and industry standards for preventing or minimizing adverse impacts to the environment and human health. | When designing waste treatment and discharge systems. | high |
| #Q014 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Assessment of Residual Environmental Effects | aquatic life, drinking water, wastewater | The applicant must assess potential residual environmental effects and evaluate the risks of the mine project on human health and water users including aquatic and terrestrial resources. | During the preparation of the permit application. | high |
| #Q015 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Requirement for Monitoring and Reporting Programs | wastewater, aquatic life | Applications for EMA permits must include proposed monitoring and reporting programs which enable on- going evaluation of waste management performance, receiving environment condition, and evaluation of impact predictions made during the permit application. | When applying for EMA permits. | high |
| #Q016 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program | wastewater, aquatic life | the proponent must develop and implement an Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program (AEMP) to determine the effects of effluent discharges, seepages, and mining related disturbances, separately and cumulatively on the receiving environment. | As part of compliance with the EMA permit. | high |
| #Q017 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Quality Assurance Protocols Detail | wastewater, aquatic life | The monitoring programs must be developed by qualified professions and describe in detail the sampling methods, sample preparation and hold times, analytical methods, quality assurance/quality control procedures, and data analysis methods. | When developing monitoring programs. | high |
| #Q018 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Standard Analytical Methods Requirement | wastewater, aquatic life | Analyses must be performed using standard analytical methods, as specified in the most recent edition of the British Columbia Environmental Laboratory Manual and supplements to the manual. | When performing sample analyses for monitoring. | high |
| #Q019 | administrative | operational | mandatory | Meeting for Water Quality Objectives Development | wastewater, aquatic life, drinking water | In instances where proponents believe that development of WQOs is technically justified, they must meet with ENV staff to discuss their appropriateness and to determine next steps. | When considering the development of site-specific Water Quality Objectives. | high |
| #Q020 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Establish Risk Likelihood and Consequence Criteria | wastewater, other | The proponent must a priori establish and describe likelihood and consequence criteria to assess risk. | When conducting a risk assessment. | high |
| #Q021 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Compliance with Baseline Monitoring Guidance | wastewater, aquatic life | It is essential that applicants also follow the Water and Air Baseline Monitoring Guidance Document for Mine Proponents and Operators. | When conducting baseline monitoring for permit applications. | high |
| #Q022 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Demonstration of Meteorological Understanding | wastewater | The proponent is expected to demonstrate an understanding of how weather and climate will affect all aspects of the project. | Within the EMA permit application. | high |
| #Q023 | operational | operational | mandatory | Geochemical Characterization Standards | wastewater, other | Characterization programs must be developed in accordance with: Policy for Metal Leaching and Acid Rock Drainage at British Columbia Mine Sites (1998); Guidelines for Metal Leaching and Acid Rock Drainage at Mine Sites in British Columbia (1998); and Prediction Manual for Drainage Chemistry from Sulphidic Geologic Materials, MEND Report 1.20.1 (December 2009). | For all geologic materials to be disturbed or created during mining. | high |
| #Q024 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Naming of Certified Laboratories (Groundwater) | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water | Applications for an EMA permit must: ... name the certified laboratories used to analyze samples; | Within the groundwater quality portion of the application. | high |
| #Q025 | design | treatment | recommended | Initial Dilution Zone Determination | wastewater, aquatic life | Describe in detail all locations of effluent and seepage discharge, and in each case, determine the appropriate initial dilution zone (IDZ) in surface waters. | When describing locations of effluent and seepage discharge in an EMA permit application. | high |
| #Q026 | design | treatment | recommended | Wastewater Treatment Plant Engineering Design | wastewater | Provide detailed engineering designs for any proposed treatment plants including electrical drawings and mechanical information, and document expected treatment effectiveness (based on pilot testing, industry examples, etc.) under variable conditions including flow, temperature, and hydraulic retention times, etc. | For any proposed wastewater treatment plants in an EMA application. | high |
| #Q027 | operational | operational | recommended | Safe Discharge Plan Proposal | wastewater, aquatic life, drinking water | Propose safe discharge plans for all discharges to surface water or groundwater. | As part of the environmental effects assessment for an EMA application. | high |
| #Q028 | monitoring | unknown | recommended | Conceptual Ecological Model Development | aquatic life, other | develop or refine conceptual ecological models or frameworks to define and illustrate all exposure pathways or mechanisms linking contaminants or conditions of potential concern to the assessment endpoints (receptors). | During environmental effects prediction for EMA applications. | high |
| #Q029 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Site Contamination Inventory | other | Provide an inventory of known or suspected site contamination and the potential for further soil or groundwater contamination on or near the site. | As part of the Site Contamination section of an EMA permit application. | high |
| #Q030 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Surface Water Quality Baseline Study Requirements | drinking water, wastewater, agricultural water, aquatic life | Applications for an EMA permit should: identify downstream water uses (e.g., aquatic life, drinking, irrigation, livestock watering, industrial, etc.) and water licenses; document and describe the rationale for baseline study design including collection methods, parameters analyzed, field instrumentation, sampling frequency and period, site locations, statistical considerations and QA/QC protocols; name the certified laboratories used to analyze samples; provide a summary table listing sample site locations, sample dates, sample size and rationale /purpose of each site; identify which data reflect un-impacted baseline versus conditions affected by former development (e.g. exploration activities, historical mining activities); provide a detailed map showing water quality sampling locations, and proposed or existing discharge locations and areas of disturbance; describe water chemistry and summarize data in tables organized by parameter, site and date. Include detection limits and any QA/QC concerns related to the data; illustrate spatial and temporal variation in key parameters among sites using graphs that show variability in data (e.g., box plots); compare existing water quality conditions to provincial water quality guidelines and/or existing water quality objectives: tabulate and flag water quality values that exceed WQGs or WQOs, clearly document the frequency and magnitude of exceedances; identify critical parameters, locations and time windows or seasonality when baseline surface water quality may exceed water quality guidelines; conduct surface water toxicity tests if required. (This may be needed if WQGs are exceeded due to historic mining or site disturbance and should be discussed with ENV staff.); and identify spatial or temporal gaps in the database. | When submitting the surface water quality baseline study in an EMA permit application | high |
| #Q031 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Sediment Quality Baseline Study Requirements | aquatic life, other | Applications for an EMA permit should: document and describe the rationale for baseline study design including parameters analyzed, field instrumentation, sampling frequency and period, site locations, statistical considerations, collection methods and QA/QC protocols; name the certified laboratories used to analyze samples; provide a summary table listing sample site locations, sample dates, sample size and rationale/purpose of each site; identify, which data reflect un-impacted baseline versus conditions affected by former development (e.g. exploration activities, historical mining activities); provide a detailed map of sampling locations, and proposed or existing discharge locations and areas of disturbance; illustrate spatial and temporal variance in key parameters among sites using graphs; compare, tabulate and map existing sediment quality conditions relative to provincial sediment quality guidelines, or Canadian Council of Environment Ministers interim sediment quality guidelines (threshold or probable effect levels); and identify spatial or temporal gaps in the database. | When submitting the sediment quality baseline study in an EMA permit application | high |
| #Q032 | design | operational | mandatory | Specific Information Requirements for Storage and Effluent Discharges | wastewater, aquatic life | Provide detailed designs of effective stormwater-drainage collection, conveyance and storage systems that can handle peak climatic and hydrologic events (supported by site hydrology and geotechnical information). Describe the location, quantity and quality (chemistry and toxicity) of contaminated waters and seepages. Describe the methods used to determine the quality and quantity of contaminated waters or seepage (i.e., baseline data including metal leaching and acid rock drainage potential, bench scale tests, pilot plant results, manufacturer's design specifications and performance guarantees, etc.). Describe the timing (i.e., seasonal, continuous, intermittent) of discharges to the environment. Discuss options for contaminant source control, containment or mitigation methods and describe how best management practices and best achievable technology have been applied. Include detailed designs of all proposed discharge works (e.g., outfalls, spillways, channels). Compare proposed discharge quality to known discharge criteria, guidelines or industry practices. This should include an evaluation of end of pipe water quality based effluent limits based on meeting water quality guidelines in the receiving environment during the most sensitive times of the year. | Required components for storage and effluent discharge applications | high |
| #Q033 | operational | operational | mandatory | Wastewater Treatment Plant Operational and Safety Details | wastewater | Describe and illustrate schematically the tracking of all inputs at each stage in the process through to output. Identify volumes and characteristics of by-product waste produced at each stage of the process (chemicals and reagents used; contaminants liberated or created, etc.). Describe long-term disposal plans for secondary waste/spent substrate that addresses long-term geochemical and physical stability and an assessment of whether the material is deemed hazardous waste, as well as reclamation and closure issues. Assess performance risks for collection and treatment of wastewater (i.e., extreme weather [icing, snow loading, flows, etc.], power outages, wearing of parts, scaling, reagent supply interruption, plugging, by-passing/short circuiting, etc.). Provide time schedule for construction and commissioning, capital and anticipated operating and maintenance costs. Describe operating requirements such as power, pumping, number of people to operate, volumes of materials and reagents, etc. Assess potential public health and safety risks and management plans. Describe maintenance and replacement plans for collection and treatment systems. | Required for wastewater treatment plant permit applications | high |
| #Q034 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | Emergency Procedures and Contingency Planning | wastewater, aquatic life | Describe emergency procedures for pollution control system malfunctions/upsets, and contingency plans (for example, contingency storage for water requiring treatment). Contingency plans for chemical and fuel storage areas should also be included. | As part of the safe discharge plans within an EMA application | high |
| #Q035 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Groundwater Quality Baseline Information Requirements | wastewater, drinking water | Applications for an EMA permit must: identify groundwater use downstream of the mine site; document and describe the rationale for baseline study design including parameters analyzed, collection methods, field instrumentation, sampling frequency and period, site locations, statistical considerations and QA/QC protocols; name the certified laboratories used to analyze samples; provide a summary table listing sample site locations, sample dates, sample size and rationale/purpose of each site; identify which data reflect un-impacted baseline versus conditions affected by former development (e.g. exploration activities, historical mining activities); provide a detailed map of groundwater quality sampling locations and proposed or existing discharge points, areas with seepage potential and areas of disturbance; describe groundwater chemistry and summarize data in tables organized by parameter, site and date. Include detection limits and any QA/QC concerns related to the data. Tabulate chemical data and flag values greater than provincial water quality guidelines (WQGs). Samples with turbidity values greater than 200 NTU should be removed from the data set prior to analysis; illustrate spatial and temporal variation in key parameters and among sites using graphs that illustrate data variability; identify critical parameters, locations and time windows or seasonality when baseline groundwater quality may exceed water quality guidelines; and identify spatial or temporal gaps in the database. | During application for an EMA permit for groundwater baseline characterization | high |
| #Q036 | monitoring | operational | mandatory | Biological Monitoring Tool Identification | aquatic life | Appropriate biological monitoring tools must be identified, and sufficient data must be collected and presented to demonstrate that the program will be able to detect a predetermined change considered to be biologically significant. | When developing aquatic life baseline studies | high |
| #Q037 | corrective_action | operational | mandatory | Site Decommissioning and Remedial Planning | other | Propose site decommissioning or planned site remedial activities including information required for the completion of a site profile as described in the Contaminated Sites Regulation. | Within the site contamination section of an EMA application | high |
| #Q038 | reporting | reporting | recommended | Cumulative Effects Consideration | other | The environmental effects assessment should also consider cumulative effects within the watershed. | During environmental effects prediction for EMA application | high |
| #Q039 | monitoring | operational | recommended | Continuous Hydrometric Data Collection | wastewater, aquatic life | establish continuous hydrometric data collection for drainages potentially affected by effluent discharge, water diversions, or seepages from waste rock and/or tailings facilities; | During baseline information collection for drainages potentially affected by the project. | high |
| #Q040 | design | operational | recommended | Conceptual Hydrogeologic Model Development | drinking water, wastewater | develop a conceptual hydrogeologic model (considering seasonal variation) of the mine area with groundwater elevations, flow direction and rate estimates, recharge/discharge boundaries, groundwater divides and impermeable boundaries, and interaction with surface waters; | During the groundwater study of the mine property for the Technical Assessment Report. | high |
| #Q041 | operational | health | mandatory | Groundwater Use Protection | drinking water, wastewater | For groundwater, ensure groundwater use downstream is not compromised and no chronic toxicity occurs in surface waters as surface water recharge occurs. | As a component of the safe discharge plan for discharges to groundwater. | high |
| #Q042 | reporting | reporting | mandatory | Statistical Power Reporting | aquatic life | Proponents are responsible for reporting the a priori statistical power of their sampling plan to provide reviewers with an understanding of the program's strengths and weaknesses; | When summarizing periphyton and benthic invertebrate community data in the Technical Assessment Report. | high |
| #Q043 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Groundwater Baseline Sampling Frequency | drinking water, wastewater | For groundwater, a minimum of four quarterly samples over one year is recommended before permit application. | Before permit application for groundwater characterization. | high |
| #Q044 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Surface Water Baseline Sampling Frequency | drinking water, wastewater, aquatic life, agricultural water | For surface water a minimum of monthly sampling for a period of one year is necessary, and more is preferred to assess trends and seasonal variation. | Baseline study characterization before project development. | high |
| #Q045 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Guideline Attainment Sampling Protocol | drinking water, wastewater, aquatic life, agricultural water | To determine water quality guideline or objective attainment, 5 samples in 30 days during critical flows (high and/or low) or biologically relevant periods, are necessary. | When determining water quality guideline or objective attainment. | high |
| #Q046 | monitoring | reporting | mandatory | Multi-year Data for WQO/SBEB Preparation | drinking water, wastewater, aquatic life, agricultural water | To assess interannual variation, or to prepare water quality objectives (WQOs) or science-based environmental benchmarks (SBEBs) 16 , multiple years of water quality data is required. | When preparing site-specific objectives or benchmarks. | high |
| #Q047 | monitoring | reporting | recommended | Sediment Sampling Frequency | aquatic life | Sediment sampling should occur at a minimum of once per year during summer low flow periods. | During baseline information collection. | high |
| #Q048 | administrative | reporting | mandatory | Water Quality Objective Application Priority | drinking water, wastewater, aquatic life, agricultural water | Where water quality objectives exist for a watershed, they are to be used in the place of water quality guidelines in an effects assessment. | When water quality objectives exist for a watershed. | high |
| #Q049 | prohibition | treatment | recommended | SBEB Pollution Restriction | drinking water, wastewater, aquatic life, agricultural water | Establishment of a SBEB should not result in a situation that causes pollution or increases pollution (if it is an already degraded site). | When establishing science-based environmental benchmarks. | high |
| #Q050 | prohibition | operational | recommended | SBEB Protocol 11 Constraint | drinking water, wastewater, aquatic life, agricultural water | Furthermore, a SBEB should not be considered if a threshold value is equivalent to or in excess of the levels set in Protocol 11 for Contaminated Sites which defines a high risk contaminated site 46 ; | When considering science-based environmental benchmarks. | high |