Good news for projects and communities.
Protocol 19 For Contaminated Sites was recently updated to address challenges experienced with soil relocation under the previous version. This update followed outreach from the Province of BC to Indigenous communities, industry and professionals. This collaborative approach has provided a protocol that; improves reliance on Qualified Professionals (QPs), reduces the likelihood of contamination due to soil relocation, clarifies the sampling design and procurement, with the intention of reducing the amount of soil automatically diverted to landfills. These changes may be welcome news to soil movers throughout the Province as the administrative and cost burdens are relieved somewhat.
Why we need it.
The purpose of Protocol 19 is to protect receiving sites from contamination due to soil relocation. It specifies methods for characterizing and analyzing soil quality prior to relocation to limit contamination risk from imported soils. The protocol applies to non-waste soil from sites with a current or historical Schedule 2 Use (specified industrial and commercial land uses).
“non-waste soil” means soil with substance concentrations less than CSR soil and vapour standards applicable at a receiving site.
So this means… we know the site has a history (Schedule 2 Use) that may have affected the soil quality, lets find out if it has had a negative effect before we transport potentially contaminated soil to another location. Makes sense.
What it means.
This update to the Protocol came into effect August 12, 2024 and has brought changes that are likely to help project managers and owners with some soil relocation hurdles. The increased reliance on Qualified Professionals and clarity with respect to sampling programs will likely improve project forecasting and budget management. Decreasing the volume of land-filled soil for projects will improve cost performance and provide additional reuse options for excess soils preserving this resource. Time will tell how these updates affect project on the ground. This Protocol like other legislative tools has a live nature to it and it will evolve with time. Currently, we understand that the intention of the Ministry is to include requirements for investigation and remediation of soil, groundwater, soil vapour, sediment and subsequent reporting under Protocol 19 in the future. The willingness of the Province to work with stakeholders to improve this tool means these future updates can bring similar benefits to stakeholders, communities and environmental outcomes.
Qualified Professional
Increased reliance on a QPs is beneficial for project performance and effectiveness. Sage’s QPs can help you to characterizes potentially impacted soils and navigate the process or soil relocation or disposal. Contact us to discuss your project.
Resources
Soil Relocation Information System Map and Dashboard – Shows higher volume source and receiving sites in the Province as well as a data visualizer dashboard. https://soil-relocation-information-system-governmentofbc.hub.arcgis.com/
Soil Relocation Notification service – get an email when new relocation sites are registered in areas of your interest. https://submit.digital.gov.bc.ca/app/form/submit?f=75a33b78-f20a-4d05-8eb6-96986604760b