Elk Valley Area Based Management Plan Amendment #2

The Ministry of Environment and Parks is undertaking amendments to the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (EVWQP) in accordance with Ministerial Order M232-2024 issued in July 2024. The Ministerial Order required that the EVWQP be amended in two phases.

On July 30, 2025, the B.C. government completed Amendment #1 to update the plan originally prepared by industry in 2014.

Phase 2 of the EVWQP amendments (Amendment #2) will review the selenium water quality target for the Canadian portion of Koocanusa Reservoir – based on new science and information that has become available since 2014.

View the Terms of Reference for Amendment #2 here: Terms of Reference for Phase 2 of the Plan Amendments

Project summary

Amendment #2 will review the selenium water quality target for the Canadian portion of Koocanusa Reservoir.

An ABMP water quality target is a measurable and achievable level for a water quality parameter. ABMP targets are not legally enforceable but may inform legal discharge limits set out in Environmental Management Act waste discharge permits.

Koocanusa Reservoir is the downstream extent of the Elk Valley ABMP’s Designated Area, which ends at the U.S. border. The current target for selenium in Koocanusa Reservoir is 2 µg/L. It was set in 2013 based on B.C.’s approved water guideline for the protection of aquatic life, and was expected to fully protect all uses and values in the reservoir. Since then, new information and selenium science has been collected and developed. Amendment #2 allows this new information and improved understanding to be integrated into the ABMP to ensure the target remains relevant and effective towards achieving the Plan’s goals.

To support the Amendment #2 process, in 2026 the Ministry of Environment and Parks prepared two reports: “Selenium Conditions in the Canadian Portion of Koocanusa Reservoir 2015-2025” and “2026 Selenium Bioaccumulation Modelling Review for Koocanusa Reservoir”.

Project timeline

The recommended Terms of Reference for Phase 2 of the Plan Amendments was submitted to the Minister of Environment and Parks by June 30, 2026, in accordance with Ministerial Order No. M3-2026. The Minister issued the approved Terms of Reference on July 31, 2026.

The Amendment #2 process is scheduled to commence in September 2026 and must be submitted for Ministerial approval by December 6, 2027, consistent with the 15-month timeline established under Order M232-2024.

What work is planned?

Amendment #2 will follow five stages: initiation, development of target options, risk and achievability evaluation, draft recommendation and final recommendation.

The process establishes an Advisory Committee to provide input to the ministry. The Advisory Committee includes representatives from the Province of B.C., ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation, ʔaq̓am, yaqan nuʔkiy, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation, Government of Canada, EVR Operations Ltd, U.S. Federal Government, Montana State Government, Idaho State Government, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.

A Strategic Advisory Committee chaired by the Order Manager will provide strategic advice and guidance on the development of recommendations. The Strategic Advisory Committee includes the Province of B.C., ʔAkisq̓nuk First Nation, ʔaq̓am, yaqan nuʔkiy, Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it First Nation, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and EVR Operations Ltd.

An independent technical expert on selenium toxicology will review and provide input on methods, criteria and recommendations. Additional experts for other topics may be used if needed.

The Amendment #2 process includes a public comment period, anticipated in September 2027.