The British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act came into force in June 1995. The Act establishes the provincial environmental assessment process for large-scale projects that are classed as "reviewable". Development cannot proceed on reviewable projects until the project assessment is complete, a project approval certificate is issued, and all necessary permits and licenses are obtained.

The legislated environmental assessment process provides for a strategic-level evaluation of projects within the scope of a sustainable economy and environment. The environmental assessment process results in a decision by two Ministers or Cabinet on whether or not a project approval certificate should be issued.

The goal of the Act is to establish a thorough, timely and integrated process for assessing environmental, economic, social, cultural, heritage, and health effects of major development proposals in British Columbia. The Act also establishes the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) which is responsible for administering the environmental assessment process.

The intent of the environmental assessment process is to identify any foreseeable adverse impacts through the project's life-cycle including construction, start up, operation and shut-down, and to determine ways to eliminate, minimize, mitigate or compensate impacts. The process identifies the potential effects of the project on community values and provides information on the nature of public support for a project.