Regional Operational Statements for British Columbia and Yukon

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has developed a series of 17 Operational Statements to streamline the undertaking of low risk activities. The Operational Statements outline conditions and measures for avoiding harmful alteration, disruption and destruction (HADD) of fish habitat, and applying them will ensure your project complies with subsection 35(1) of the Fisheries Act. You are NOT required to submit a proposal for review by Fisheries and Oceans Canada when you incorporate the measures and conditions outlined in an appropriate Operational Statement into your plans.

Stream Crossings by Roads:

• Clear-Span Bridges
• Temporary Ford Stream Crossing
• Ice Bridges and Snow Fills
• Bridge Maintenance
• Culvert Maintenance
• Maintenance of Riparian Vegetation in Existing Rights-of-Way

 

Crossings by Lines

• Overhead Line Construction
• Directional Drilling
• Punch and Bore Crossings
• Dry Open-cut Stream Crossings
• Underwater Cables in Freshwater Systems
• Maintenance of Riparian Vegetation in Existing Rights-of-Way

 

Shoreline Activities:

• Routine Maintenance Dredging for Navigation
• Dock and Boathouse Construction in Freshwater Systems
• Small Moorings
• Aquatic Vegetation Removal in Lakes
• Public Beach Maintenance

 

Aquaculture Activities:

• Refer to the Pacific Region Aquaculture webpage

 

Other Activities:

• Isolated Ponds

 

Notification Forms

• Operational Statement Notification Form

If your particular project is not listed here or if you are not able to follow all of the conditions and mitigation measures prescribed, the Operational Statements do not apply to your project.  For further information, please consult DFO's "What You Need to Know" webpage to guide your project in compliance with the Fisheries Act or contact DFO Regional Headquarters (toll-free at 1-866-845-6776 or by email: InquiriesPacific@dfo-mpo.gc.ca) for inquiries about use of Operational Statements. For additional information on when Operational Statements apply, see Frequently Asked Questions.

An Operational Statement only covers one specific activity out of a range of activities varying from dock construction in freshwater to routine maintenance dredging in marine waters, and so it is important to read the conditions and measures carefully to ensure whether an Operational Statement applies to your project. 

Please be aware that although the Pacific Region Operational Statements have been developed for compatibility with existing Provincial and Territorial regulatory requirements, they do not constitute an approval under any municipal, provincial, territorial and/or federal legislation. Hence, you are responsible for complying with all applicable statutes separately.

For more general guidance on activities near water, see Guidelines and Planning Tools.

Return to Project Review Process, Step 1 Project Planning.