The Site Registry was launched through BC OnLine on November 3, 1997. It allows you to view information about sites in which the province has an environmental interest.
What is the Site Registry?
The Site Registry documents milestones in the site cleanup process, and provides public access to this information. It is not strictly a registry of contaminated sites. While some sites on the registry are contaminated, most sites listed have simply been investigated and require little, if any cleanup, or have already been cleaned up to government standards. The Site Registry contains both electronic and paper records. The electronic Site Registry summarizes the investigation and cleanup history for sites in BC.
Why Access the Registry?
Most access the Site Registry as part of "due diligence" work. The registry is searched to determine if a site is, or was contaminated. Since site cleanups can be expensive, it is very important to have this information before a property is purchased or developed. Otherwise, contamination may be discovered later in the process, at considerable expense to the land owner.
Who Uses the Site Registry?
Since it was launched, the Site Registry has been used by a variety of interests. These include legal firms (28%), banks (12%), environmental consultants (19%), and businesses such as developers (14%).
How Much is the Site Registry Used?
Use of the Site Registry is steadily increasing. Today, there are about 200 transactions per week.
What Information is Contained in the Site Registry?
The electronic Site Registry currently contains information on 4000 sites generally grouped under five categories:
- General -- information concerning a site's location, cleanup status and site profile.
- Notations -- information concerning legal and administrative events under the Act.
- Participants -- information about people and organizations involved with a site.
- Documents -- information regarding the existence of reports concerning a site.
- Land Use -- information concerning land use related to a site.
Accessing the Site Registry
Contact the BC OnLine Help Desk to set up an account. If you do not have an account, contact a BC Environment office or Government Agent for advice on having a search of the electronic Site Registry carried out.
