Division resources

Ministry of Environment

Proposed Changes to the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation

Please Note: The consultation period has closed and the summary has been posted on the Policy Intentions Papers page.

Find the summary here: Summary of Public Consultation on Second Intentions Paper.

The Ministry of Environment intends to review and revise the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation (OBSCR) under the Environmental Management Act (EMA). The review process supports the ministries’ commitment to continuous improvement and to regularly review regulations in order to revise provisions as appropriate.

The Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation governs burning of vegetative material associated with a range of activities, including land clearing and forestry-related resource management. It sets out the conditions under which the open burning of vegetative debris can be authorized. This regulation has not been substantively revised since the regulation was enacted in 1993.

A revised regulation will support the ministries’ primary objective of reducing or minimizing impacts to human health, as well as related objectives such as enabling and encouraging compliance, minimizing undue costs, and promoting equity and consistency.

The content of the proposed regulatory changes is outlined in the policy intentions paper below and an update of May 2011 to the IP.

THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS NOW PASSED.

Following careful review of all comments, suggestions and submissions received through the consultation process, government staff will complete legal drafting of the amendment for legislative review and implementation. A summary of public comment has been prepared and is posted on this web page. Comments received after the submission deadline date will still be reviewed by the ministry but may not be included in consultation summary reporting.

Comments received and the identity of those providing comments will be treated with confidentiality by ministry staff and contractors.  However, please note that comments you provide and information that identifies you as the source of those comments may be publicly available if a request is made under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

For more information on the consultation process and the development of policy intentions papers, see Consultation Process for Policy Intentions Papers (link http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/codes/consultation.htm) and Codes of Practice & Regulatory Reviews (link http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/epd/codes/index.htm).

Further information about the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation can be accessed by clicking on the address below, or from the Ministry of Environment home page, by following the Environmental Protection Division and "Air" links (see http://www.bcairquality.ca/topics/burning-outdoors.html).

Additional Information

The Ministry of Environment has previously consulted on the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation beginning in the summer of 2008 and continuing to present day.  The previous intentions paper and the summary of comments can be viewed below.  

A preliminary overview of the smoke sensitivity zones for the province is available for illustrative purposes only.  The Primary Smoke Sensitivity Zones were defined based on a population density of at least 200 people/square kilometre as defined by the current census data, and include a 10 km buffer around those defined areas.  Secondary Smoke Sensitivity Zones could be further defined through the optional smoke management planning process.


Page updated September 2011