Canadian and US citizens in the Georgia Basin / Puget Sound have expressed concern about transboundary air quality impacts, particularly on the environment and human health, from proposed projects. When such projects are reviewed by different government agencies, these individual agencies typically use their own review procedures (usually based on laws). These differences can complicate how issues are addressed and what information is available to stakeholders and the public in a transboundary context. By more effectively sharing information and (where appropriate) adopting best practices when assessing new sources of significant air emissions, air quality management in this transboundary airshed can be made more systematic.

For new projects that may affect transboundary air quality, the following objectives have been identified:

• Develop similar and coordinated approaches among agencies conducting review and notification.
• Improve inter-agency understanding about notification and assessment procedures.
• Develop common principles for decision-making by agencies.
• Improve public perception of the decision-making process.

A 2003 review found that there were no significant problems in the ways agencies shared information or coordinated reviews; current notification processes appear to be working well. However, there is opportunity to make review processes more parallel and transparent. The first short term action involves reviewing internet links to determine what sites are currently operational and to install links to sites which can provide information on project reviews. All participants with internet sites will submit their URL to the working group.

Another short term task is to identify the energy project review agencies in the various jurisdictions. Environment Canada, BC Ministry of Environment, and Washington State Department of Ecology will identify the energy review agencies and contacts that could be involved in these reviews.

• Georgia Basin-Puget Sound Industrial and Energy Sector Air Emissions Outlook (pdf)