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Coordinated Assessment Process

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Coordinated Assessment Process

The Fording River Extension (FRX) Project is subject to a coordinated provincial and federal assessment process under the B.C. Environmental Assessment Act and federal Impact Assessment Act. The coordinated assessment will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the potential effects of the Project, including identification of related mitigation and management measures, on environmental, economic, social, heritage and health values. There are multiple opportunities for public comment and feedback throughout the process. Learn more about:

Environmental Assessments in British Columbia

Canadian Impact Assessment Process

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The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) are working together in a coordinated manner to align key milestones and deliverables to the extent possible. Final assessment decisions are made independently by the responsible provincial and federal Ministers.


Key Assessment Milestones and Activities to date:

Provincial Initial Project Description (IPD) and Early Engagement Plan were submitted to the B.C. EAO in April 2020. A 45-day public comment period was held May 8 to June 22, 2020, and included two virtual public open houses hosted by B.C. EAO. The Summary of Engagement was issued in July 2020.


The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada designated the FRX Project into the Planning Phase of the federal assessment process on August 19, 2020. The Project is expected to be subject to a federal assessment in coordination with the provincial assessment process.



Teck submitted a federal Initial Project Description and Plain Language Summary to the IAAC in October 2020. A 20-day public comment period was held from October 12 to November 3, 2020. The Summary of Issues was issued in November 2020.



In November 2020, Teck submitted a request to put the federal process temporarily on hold to coordinate the provincial Environmental Assessment Readiness Decision and federal Notice of Determination. The federal process will restart just prior to timing for the Environmental Assessment (EA) Readiness Decision.


Teck submitted the Detailed Project Description to the B.C. EAO in late-July 2021. Acceptance of the DPD by the EAO ends the Early Engagement Phase and starts the EA Readiness Phase. The Readiness Decision determines whether the Project is ready to enter the next phase of the assessment; it is also a consensus seeking point with Participating Indigenous Nations.


B.C. EAO released a Readiness Decision report with the recommendation that the FRX Detailed Project Description be revised and resubmitted after further consultation with the Ktunaxa, and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it?. We are committed to continued engagement with communities and local Indigenous groups as we work on the revised Detailed Project Description, and throughout the coordinated assessment.



Engagement efforts to understand concerns and issues from potentially affected Indigenous Peoples, government agencies, local communities and the public began in late-2018 and will continue over the duration of the Project.


The coordinated assessment process is expected to take several years and will include multiple government designated opportunities for public participation and input. Teck welcomes direct public input in between these official periods. Click here to submit your input at any time and learn more about how to get involved.


The assessment process is expected to take several years and will include multiple government designated opportunities for public input.



Click to enlarge image


Coordinated Assessment Process

The Fording River Extension (FRX) Project is subject to a coordinated provincial and federal assessment process under the B.C. Environmental Assessment Act and federal Impact Assessment Act. The coordinated assessment will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the potential effects of the Project, including identification of related mitigation and management measures, on environmental, economic, social, heritage and health values. There are multiple opportunities for public comment and feedback throughout the process. Learn more about:

Environmental Assessments in British Columbia

Canadian Impact Assessment Process

Click to enlarge image


The B.C. Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) are working together in a coordinated manner to align key milestones and deliverables to the extent possible. Final assessment decisions are made independently by the responsible provincial and federal Ministers.


Key Assessment Milestones and Activities to date:

Provincial Initial Project Description (IPD) and Early Engagement Plan were submitted to the B.C. EAO in April 2020. A 45-day public comment period was held May 8 to June 22, 2020, and included two virtual public open houses hosted by B.C. EAO. The Summary of Engagement was issued in July 2020.


The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada designated the FRX Project into the Planning Phase of the federal assessment process on August 19, 2020. The Project is expected to be subject to a federal assessment in coordination with the provincial assessment process.



Teck submitted a federal Initial Project Description and Plain Language Summary to the IAAC in October 2020. A 20-day public comment period was held from October 12 to November 3, 2020. The Summary of Issues was issued in November 2020.



In November 2020, Teck submitted a request to put the federal process temporarily on hold to coordinate the provincial Environmental Assessment Readiness Decision and federal Notice of Determination. The federal process will restart just prior to timing for the Environmental Assessment (EA) Readiness Decision.


Teck submitted the Detailed Project Description to the B.C. EAO in late-July 2021. Acceptance of the DPD by the EAO ends the Early Engagement Phase and starts the EA Readiness Phase. The Readiness Decision determines whether the Project is ready to enter the next phase of the assessment; it is also a consensus seeking point with Participating Indigenous Nations.


B.C. EAO released a Readiness Decision report with the recommendation that the FRX Detailed Project Description be revised and resubmitted after further consultation with the Ktunaxa, and Yaq̓it ʔa·knuqⱡi’it?. We are committed to continued engagement with communities and local Indigenous groups as we work on the revised Detailed Project Description, and throughout the coordinated assessment.



Engagement efforts to understand concerns and issues from potentially affected Indigenous Peoples, government agencies, local communities and the public began in late-2018 and will continue over the duration of the Project.


The coordinated assessment process is expected to take several years and will include multiple government designated opportunities for public participation and input. Teck welcomes direct public input in between these official periods. Click here to submit your input at any time and learn more about how to get involved.


The assessment process is expected to take several years and will include multiple government designated opportunities for public input.



Click to enlarge image