The Amendments to the Remediation Regulation come into effect January 1, 2019.
The Government of Alberta has amended the Remediation Regulation (previously titled the Remediation Certificate Regulation), which outlines the process and guidelines for the issuance of a remediation certificate. This regulation is created under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
The existing Remediation Certificate Regulation, which remains in effect until January 1, 2019, can be viewed here and the amended regulation can be viewed here.
Several highlights of the amendments include:
- The regulation creates a new voluntary site-based remediation certificate.
- The existing area-based remediation certificate is re-named the “limited remediation certificate”.
- The regulation provides additional detail on reporting requirements and the duty to take remedial measures for substance releases, including:
- The requirement to submit a remedial action plan if a site has not been remediated within two years.
- Adding reference to the Risk Management Plan Guide, Exposure Control Guide, and Environmental Site Assessment Standard (in addition to Tier 1 and Tier 2 Soil and Groundwater Guidelines) which currently exist in the regulation.
- A new tool for project closure called a Tier 2 compliance letter, which is for sites where no remediation is required to meet Alberta Tier 2 Soil and Groundwater Guidelines.
- Additional information is provided about how risk management may be used to meet remedial objectives.
The regulation comes into effect January 1, 2019 to give the Government of Alberta time to develop a Remedial Action Plan Guide, update the remediation certificate application forms and guides, and ensure that business processes are in place to support implementation. The Government of Alberta will continue to accept area-based remediation certificate applications under the existing regulation. Applications submitted before January 1, 2019 will not automatically transition to the new system and they will be processed under the current Remediation Certificate Regulations. Additional information guides and training sessions are expected through the summer and into the fall.
For enquiries, please contact:
Matt Dow
Policy Analyst
matt@RMAlberta.com
Tasha Blumenthal
Director of External Relations & Advocacy
tasha@RMAlberta.com