The Ministry of Environment and Parks is updating the Area Based Management Plan (ABMP) for the Elk Valley, titled the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (EVWQP), and is inviting public input on the draft amended plan.

Input can be submitted by email to elkvalleywaterquality@gov.bc.ca until May 30, 2025.

View the draft 2025 Elk Valley Water Quality Plan

Project summary

The Ministry of Environment and Parks is developing amendments to the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (EVWQP) in accordance with a Ministerial Order issued in July 2024.

The EVWQP is a plan to improve water quality in the Elk Valley of southeastern British Columbia. It sets goals for the watershed, including water quality targets to protect and improve water quality from the impacts of mining. The EVWQP provides guidance to inform decisions to help reach these goals. This is the first time the EVWQP is being amended since it was developed in 2014.

The current amendment process has been underway since July 2024. The B.C. government is preparing an amendment that will replace the plan prepared by industry in 2014.

The amendment will:

Reaffirm and clarify the plan’s goals, including outcomes, objectives and water quality targets
Clarify how the plan is being implemented using Environmental Management Act waste discharge permits
Describe how new information may update the ABMP in the future
Describe how the EVWQP and its targets apply to all dischargers in the Elk Valley

The draft 2025 EVWQP considers input from provincial, federal and Ktunaxa First Nation governments. Input from industry was also considered. The Ministry of Environment and Parks is now sharing the work that has been done and is seeking comments from the public and interested parties.

Project timeline

2013

Ministerial Order requires Teck Coal Ltd. to prepare an ABMP to stabilize and improve water quality

2014

The 2014 Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (2014 EVWQP) is approved as the ABMP for the Elk Valley, and implementation begins

2014 to present

Implementation includes ongoing environmental monitoring and research, newly developed source control and treatment technologies, and proposals for new and expanded mining

2023 to July 2024

ABMP amendment process commences with project planning and engagement with Ktunaxa First Nations

July 9, 2024

Ministerial Order issued for B.C. to amend the ABMP by July 2025

August 2024

Engagement and early input from Ktunaxa First Nations and stakeholders

September 2024 to April 2025

Development of draft 2025 EVWQP, including early engagement with Ktunaxa First Nations, and including three rounds of review and input from an Advisory Committee (Ktunaxa First Nations, governments and industry)

May 2025

Public comment period

July 9, 2025

Timeline to submit recommendations for amendment to the Minister of Environment and Parks

What is the ABMP?

Area Based Management Plans (ABMPs) in B.C. are developed under the Environmental Management Act. An ABMP is a policy framework that identifies environmental management goals and strategies to help manage waste discharges in a designated area.

The Elk Valley is unique because it is the only area in B.C. with an ABMP. The Elk Valley ABMP is called the Elk Valley Water Quality Plan (EVWQP). The EVWQP is focused on water quality and is used to manage historic and current waste generated by multiple mines in the Elk River watershed. It outlines a strategy to improve water quality while mining activities are ongoing.

The ABMP identifies long term goals and water quality targets throughout the watershed and gives guidance on how to achieve its goals and targets. ABMPs themselves are not legally enforceable. However, they can inform issuance or amendments to permits which contain enforceable requirements.

Why amend the ABMP?

The ABMP is intended to adapt over time. The draft 2025 EVWQP provides a renewed framework to support a more adaptive approach to plan implementation. With an updated framework, B.C. is better positioned to make future amendments to keep the plan relevant as circumstances change or new information arises.

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What work has been done?

The Minister signed Ministerial Order M232-2024 in July 2024. This Order defines the scope of work to be completed and the process for consultation and engagement to seek input on the draft 2025 EVWQP amendment.

The amendment process has included four stages: early input, then development of three drafts of the amendment. The Province engaged with Ktunaxa First Nations first in each stage of development. This was followed by engagement with a broader Advisory Committee including governments and industry in addition to Ktunaxa First Nations.

B.C. considered all input received in developing the draft 2025 EVWQP amendment.

What is changing?

The draft 2025 EVWQP provides clarity and increases transparency by showing how the ABMP fits into B.C.’s regulatory framework.

Key changes in the draft amendment include:

Structuring the EVWQP as a government-led framework to replace the plan prepared by industry
Creating a new vision statement for water quality in the Elk Valley
Clarifying the EVWQP goals
Updating the calcite target to reflect new science
Providing an implementation strategy to make progress towards the goals and vision
Clarifying how the EVWQP applies to all dischargers in the Elk Valley
Describing the broader regulatory framework for water quality decision-making in the Elk Valley, including how the ABMP works Alongside permits
Providing transparency into how the goals of the EVWQP guide statutory decision making by the ministry to improve water quality
Describing a process to update the EVWQP to stay relevant as mining continues in the Elk Valley