Ministry Divisions

The Environmental Protection Division works to prevent pollution, and promote and restore environmental quality.

The division delivers programs and services through three branches:

• Environmental Quality Branch – develops legislation and policies to protect air quality and to address municipal liquid and solid waste. The branch leads the development and management of industry product stewardship programs; sets standards for, and does monitoring and reporting for, ambient air and water (surface and ground water) quality; and is a co-leader within the B.C. government in developing and implementing measures to address global climate change.
• Environmental Management Branch – responsible for a wide array of environmental management regulatory programs, including: hazardous and industrial waste management; waste and environmental database management; environmental emergency response and spill reporting; integrated pest management initiatives; and land remediation (contaminated site) management and certification.
  • Environmental Emergency Management Program – leads the Province's ongoing commitment to prevent, prepare for, mitigate and respond to spills that effect the environment.
• Regional Operations Branch – includes nine regional offices whose staff are on the front line in delivering the Environmental Protection Division's programs and policies, supported by the other two branches. Regional Operations ensures safe discharges to water, land and air through authorizations and under voluntary arrangements with others.

The Environmental Stewardship Division has a mission to maintain and restore the natural diversity of provincial ecosystems and fish and wildlife species and their habitat; and to provide park, fish and wildlife recreation services and opportunities to British Columbians and visitors.

The division delivers programs and services through four branches:

• Parks and Protected Areas Program (BC Parks) – sets provincial direction, priorities and policies for the province's protected areas system. The branch develops legislation, regulations and protected area management plans, leads conservation programs within all protected areas, and manages the delivery of recreational services and opportunities within protected lands.
• Ecosystems Branch – responsible for biodiversity science, standards and policy for the Ministry, and is responsible for the preparation of a biodiversity strategy for British Columbia.
• Fish and Wildlife Branch – establishes legislation, policies and procedures for managing fishing and hunting activities, and for the allocation of fish and wildlife resources for recreational and commercial use. The branch manages the provincial fish culture and stocking programs to support recreational fishing and endangered species recovery.
• Regional Operations Branch – includes nine regional offices. Regional staff are responsible for the on-the-ground delivery of the division's programs across the province, supported by Victoria headquarters.

The Compliance Division provides ministry-wide leadership and services in support of compliance management.

It does this work through two branches:

• Conservation Officer Service – the enforcement program of the Ministry of Environment. It is also the lead program for managing and responding to wildlife/human conflicts where there is a risk to public safety.
  • Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) – (Conservation Officer Service 24-hour Hotline) - toll free tip-line and web-based service that allows the public to report known or suspected violations of fisheries, wildlife, or environmental protection laws.
• Compliance Policy and Planning Branch – provides ministry-wide leadership and service in support of a strategic approach to compliance management.

The Water Stewardship Division manages provincial water resources through activities such as: administering water rights and legislation; developing legislation and non-regulatory tools, and participating in sustainable water resource planning and management; carrying out public safety functions to minimize risk from floods, droughts and dam failures; and developing and delivering science and information critical to understanding and making informed decisions about B.C.'s water resources.

The division consists of four branches:

• Innovation and Planning Team – develops plans, policies, legislation and partnerships to foster water stewardship in B.C.
• Science and Information Branch – provides information, research and knowledge about B.C.'s water resources.
• Management and Standards Branch – administers statutory responsibilities for water rights and public safety.
• Regional Operations Branch – delivers Water Stewardship Division program activities and services to clients throughout the province.

The Oceans and Marine Fisheries Division is responsible for the overall leadership of provincial government strategies and initiatives related to ocean resources and marine fisheries, as well as seafood industry development.

The Strategic Policy Division provides corporate leadership, coordination, analysis and inter-agency communications services to the Ministry of Environment.

The Corporate Services Division is responsible for the provision of financial, infrastructure, human resource and information management services to the Ministry of Environment.

The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) operates independently and coordinates the assessment of proposed major projects in British Columbia, as required under the Environmental Assessment Act.

The EAO works with First Nations, government agencies and the public to ensure major projects are developed in a sustainable manner. The assessment process examines major projects for potentially adverse environmental, economic, social, health and heritage effects that may occur during the lifecycle of these projects.