Resources

Legislation

Agricultural Waste Control Regulation

Notification of Review Process - October 2009

The purpose of this document is to inform stakeholders and the public of the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation (AWCR) review process. The Ministry of Environment completed a number of amendments to the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation (AWCR) in 2004, and again in 2008 under the Environmental Management Act (EMA) and the Health Act. However, the AWCR has not been comprehensively reviewed since its enactment in 1992.

If you are interested in being consulted on the AWCR Review, please fill out this interactive form, save it in your files and send as an e-mail attachment to Margaret Crowley. (PDF/59 KB) new: october 2009

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Current Version of the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation

The regulation establishes practices for using, storing and managing agricultural waste that will result in the waste being handled in an environmentally sound manner.

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Agricultural Waste Control Regulation Amendments

The ministry amended the regulation to establish consistent rules for all boilers used in agriculture as well as emission standards for biomass (wood-fired) boilers used in agriculture. The rules apply to operations in all parts of the province that operate outside of Metro Vancouver jurisdiction.

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Registration Form and Information

Who is required to register? A person who is operating a boiler or heater for agricultural purposes (e.g., greenhouses).

If you are located in Metro Vancouver, do not register with the Ministry of Environment. Register with Metro Vancouver under their Agricultural Boilers Emission Regulation Bylaw No. 1098.

What is the registration deadline? May 1, 2009.

Is there a registration fee or annual fee? There is no registration fee and no annual fee.

How do I register?

Please refer to the Registration Guideline and Sample Form when filling out the Registration Form.

Option 1: Online Registration (preferred method)
The Ministry of Environment prefers to receive registrations electronically. Please fill out the registration form online and submit via the online submit button.

Note: this form is interactive and users with older versions of Adobe Reader may not be able to access the form or use the submit by email function. You may download a free copy of Adobe Reader here.

Option 2: Hard Copy Registration
If you are not able to complete an online registration, you may print and fill out the registration form. Submit to the Ministry of Environment by fax, mail or courier using the appropriate address below. Note: this form is supported by older versions of Adobe Reader.

Mailing Address:
Ministry of Environment
Environmental Management Branch
PO Box 9377 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria BC V8W 9M1		 Courier Address:
Ministry of Environment
Environmental Management Branch
2975 Jutland Road
Victoria BC V8T 5J9


Fax: (250) 356-0299

If you are having problems accessing the form, please contact the Environmental Protection Division by email: PermitAdministration.VictoriaEPD@gov.bc.ca to obtain a copy.

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How to Determine Boiler Output Capacity

Boiler capacity information may be found on the boiler nameplate (metal tag attached to the boiler), or it may be obtained from the boiler manufacturer. Report only the boilers which are, or will be, in operating condition and required for use during the heating season.

Capacity values need to be reported in megawatts (MW) to facilitate registration. If the capacity information which you have is not expressed in MW, you can convert the capacity to MW by inserting the capacity beside the corresponding units in the formulas below and multiplying by the indicated factor to obtain the capacity in MW.

Conversion factors and an example are as follows:

 

________GJ/hr x 0.2778 = ________MW

 

________MMBTU/hr x 0.2931 = ________MW

 

________Boiler BHP x 0.009803 = ________MW

 

Example:
The boiler plate indicates energy input of 400 BHP, therefore 400 BHP x 0.009803 = 3.9212 MW.

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Emissions Testing Methodology

In accordance with the regulation, the director has specified that all testing is to be performed as indicated in:

British Columbia Field Sampling Manual: 2003 - For Continuous Monitoring and the Collection of Air, Air Emission, Water, Wastewater, Soil, Sediment and Biological Samples. Part B Air and Air Emissions Testing.

 

To download a copy of the manual, please see: British Columbia Field Sampling Manual.

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Background Information

In November 2007, the ministry posted a Policy Intentions Paper for Consultation (PDF/44 KB) to provide information about the proposed amendments to the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation and provided an opportunity for stakeholders to comment.

The ministry contracted Envirochem Services Inc. to conduct an in depth review of emission limits for all wood fired boilers. The Envirochem Report (PDF/1.42 MB) provided guidance for establishing the emission limits that are in the Agricultural Waste Control Regulation amendments.

The ministry would like to thank all those who contributed. The information was invaluable with respect to developing the amendments to the regulation.