Annual fee for a permit

3   (1) Subject to section 5, a permit holder must pay annually a fee for each permit held by the permittee.

(2) Subject to subsection (5), the fee for each permit under subsection (1) is calculated by adding the base fee for the permit type, as specified in Column 2 of Schedule A opposite the permit type in Column 1, to the sum of the fees for each contaminant authorized under the permit.

(3) The fee for each contaminant under subsection (2) is calculated by multiplying the quantity of the contaminant authorized by permit for the 12 months prior to the anniversary date of the permit by the unit fee for that contaminant, as specified in Schedule B, C or D for the applicable payment date as set out in Column 2 opposite the contaminant in Column 1.

(4) The quantity of each contaminant discharged that is used to calculate the annual fee is determined from

(a) the maximum authorized discharge rate and concentration specified in the permit or by regulation, and

(b) the discharge factors as determined in accordance with procedures approved by the director if the permit does not specify the concentration of the contaminants contained in the discharges.

(5) The fee for each permit under subsection (1) is the base fee for the permit type, as specified in Column 2 of Schedule A opposite the permit type in Column 1, if the permit

(a) authorizes a discharge under one of the following regulations:

(i) the Antisapstain Chemical Waste Control Regulation;

(ii) the Placer Mining Waste Control Regulation, or

(b) is required under section 3.1 (1) of the Organic Matter Recycling Regulation.

(6) If a permit is amended after its anniversary date and, as a result, the amount of the annual fee changes, the change to the annual fee takes effect on the next anniversary date.

[am. B.C. Regs. 149/2004, s. 2; 321/2004, s. 32 (c); 60/2012, s. (b); 132/2016, Sch. s. 2.]

Effluent adjustments

7   (1) The annual fee for a permit or approval held by a municipality or a person other than a municipality for a sewage effluent discharge from a septic tank, sewage treatment plant or other treatment facility is based only on the concentration of BOD and total suspended solids contained in the effluent.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), the annual fee for a permit or approval that authorizes the discharge of suspended solids to an exfiltration, settling or tailings pond, land irrigation system or other ground disposal system, shall have the portion of the fee based on the quantity of suspended solids reduced to 10% of the fee otherwise payable.

(3) If a person has posted a reclamation security under the Mines Act, the portion of the fee based on the quantity of suspended solids discharged shall be reduced to zero.

Payment of the annual fee

8   The annual fee for a permit or approval to discharge is payable on the anniversary date of the permit, or 30 days after the date on an invoice issued for the amount owing, whichever is later.

Expiry of permit

9   If a permit expires before its next anniversary date, the fee must be prorated.

Cancellation of permit

10   If a permit holder requests the cancellation of a permit on the grounds that waste is no longer being discharged, the permittee is entitled to a prorated refund of the most recent annual fee paid provided the permittee does not, within 6 months after the request for cancellation, apply for a similar permit in respect of the same works for which the cancelled permit was issued.