May 7, 2024

New tool empowers citizens during environmental assessments

Source Name: BC Gov News
Source URL: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024ENV0021-000653

Environmental assessment. (British Columbia/Flickr)

B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has introduced EPIC.engage, a new tool aimed at enhancing public participation in environmental assessments for major projects across the province. This platform utilizes maps, diagrams, and simplified technical information to aid public understanding and feedback provision during assessment periods. Minister George Heyman emphasized the importance of public engagement in transparency and decision-making processes, stating that EPIC.engage facilitates meaningful input that might otherwise be overlooked.

Feedback is anonymous yet authenticated to prevent misuse, with features allowing for post-submission amendments and community interaction. Minister Josie Osborne highlighted the platform’s role in early issue identification and resolution. EPIC.engage, developed in collaboration with Telus and the Ministry of Citizen’s Services, prioritizes accessibility and scalability, leveraging open-source code. Minister George Chow emphasized the government’s commitment to innovation and cross-ministerial collaboration. The platform’s launch follows refinements based on public and staff input.