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Part of Environmental approvals and assessment

Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act approvals

According to the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA), you must obtain approval for activities that impact land, water and air.

Important notices

Overview

The Alberta government reviews the potential environmental impacts of proposed projects.

The Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) supports a streamlined "single window" approach to approvals. One director in each administrative region of Environment and Protected Areas oversees the coordination and review of the potential impacts of proposed projects on the environment (air, land and water).

Approvals and registrations are issued under the EPEA. Registrations are subject to the conditions and rules of their related Code of Practice, while approvals are issued with specific terms and conditions that the approval holder is required to follow.

Regulations

The following regulations explain the review process in detail:

Applications and submissions

Effective February 9, 2026, all applications and submissions for EPEA registrations or changes to registrations are submitted to us using DRAS.

Applications and submissions for EPEA approvals and registrations for pits on private lands, and solar and wind renewable energy operations (REO) will continue to be emailed to [email protected], with the application form and supporting documents attached in PDF format.

For information about submission requirements:

Approvals and registrations

An EPEA approval may be required prior to beginning an activity that impacts or may impact the environment, such as:

  • conservation
  • miscellaneous (pesticides, designated materials)
  • potable (drinking) water
  • substance release
  • waste management

EPEA Codes of Practice and regulations identify the regulatory requirements for activities that require a registration. Applications for registrations are done using electronic forms using DRAS.

If your project involves more than one of the listed environmental activities above, a single approval may be issued. Follow the instructions on how to apply for an EPEA approval, below.

Approval application process

Step 1. Complete and submit an application

The following information is required in your application:

  • location, capacity and size of the activity
  • details about the nature of the activity, including reports and technical information
  • information regarding any public consultation you have done or plan to do about the activity

For information on the requirements for an EPEA approval application, refer to the guide to content for industrial applications.

Fees

The fee structure is based on:

  • the type of application – new approval, renewal or amendment
  • the complexity of the proposed activity
  • the level of service needed to process the application

Information on the fees is in the Application Fees Order.

Fees are payable to the Government of Alberta. Once the technical review of your application has begun, fees are non-refundable.

Step 2. Notice requirements

As per the EPEA, the public must be notified of all approval applications. Anyone affected by an application may explain their concerns to the director in writing. The public may also appeal approval decisions.

Waiving notice

The director may waive notice:

  • in an emergency
  • when the activity is routine (with minimal or no adverse effect on the environment)
  • if adequate notice has already been given

Step 3. Review

The review determines the proposed project’s overall environmental impact. It addresses:

  • design plans
  • site suitability
  • proposed monitoring programs
  • methods to minimize substance generation, use and release

If needed, the director may ask for additional information during the review. The applicant may also be asked to address the public’s concerns. This could involve holding information meetings or responding to individual statements of concern.

Step 4. Decision

The director considers public hearings and statements of concern in decision-making. The Alberta Energy Regulator and Natural Resources Conservation Board hold the public hearings.

Decisions are shared with the applicant and anyone who filed a statement of concern.

Step 5. Appeal

Requests for appeal can be submitted to the Environmental Appeals Board. This administrative group was established under the EPEA.

Registrations and notices

Facilities and operations requiring a registration or notice

Registrations for facilities and operations (except for pits on private lands, and solar and wind REO) that are regulated by Alberta’s government and require a registration or notification under the EPEA are submitted to us using DRAS.

When your application is approved, you will receive a DRAS Authorization (DAUT) number, which you can use to submit updates, notifications, and reports related to that registration in DRAS.

Resources

Additional information

Transfers

An approval can be transferred with the director’s written consent. Email the completed transfer application to the Regulatory Approvals Unit.

There is no fee for a transfer.

Certificate of qualification

A certificate of qualification may be needed if your work affects the environment. This certificate is needed if you are working with:

  • pesticides
  • potable water
  • substance release
  • wastewater and storm drainage

These certificates do not duplicate other Alberta training or certification programs.

Approval amendments

Either the applicant or the director can ask for amendments to approvals. This happens if adverse effects appear after an approval has already been issued.

Amendments have to go through the same approval process as new applications.

Some changes do not require an amendment. These are listed in Section 67(3) of the EPEA.

Financial security

If a project involves waste management, conservation or reclamation, financial security will need to be provided. If the terms of the approval or legislation with respect to conservation and reclamation are not followed, security can be used to remedy deficiencies.

Sometimes a water well regulation approval will be cancelled or suspended. If that happens, the approval holder may not get another approval unless they provide financial security.

Suspension and cancellation

Sometimes an approval will be cancelled or suspended. This can happen:

  • upon application from an approval holder
  • on the director’s initiative
  • through an enforcement order

Time limits

Approvals can be issued for a maximum of 10 years, but the director can set shorter terms. See Section 7 of the Environmental Protection and Enhancement (Miscellaneous) Regulation for details.

Contact

Connect with the Regulatory Approvals Unit:

Hours: 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (open Monday to Friday, closed statutory holidays)
Phone: 780-427-6311
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]