Two front-runners in the NDP leadership race are promising to cast aside much of Gordon Campbell's environmental legacy should either become elected premier.

The list of commitments from Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth include opposing the Enbridge oil pipeline, increasing funding for the BC Parks system, restoring confidence in the agricultural land reserve, toughening the environmental assessment process, and questioning the planned Site C hydro dam on the Peace River.

But where all Liberal leadership hopefuls stand on the same environmental issues is anyone's guess.

None of the four remaining Liberal leadership candidates responded to a list of 10 environmental policy questions submitted by The Vancouver Sun on Feb. 7, with a two-week deadline for responses.

The four are, in alphabetical order, George Abbott (who said last Friday he would increase park funding by 10 per cent and eliminate day-use parking fees), Christy Clark, Mike de Jong, and Kevin Falcon.

Moira Stilwell and Ed Mayne have withdrawn from the Liberal race.

Mark Haddock, an adjunct professor teaching environmental law at the University of B.C., said the lack of response from the Liberal leadership candidates "suggests that the environment must be low down on their list of priorities" and that they are not feeling pressure on environmental policy from within the party.

"That's troubling because the legacy of the Campbell era has been one of deregulation and cutbacks on the environment, with the exception of the climate change issue...."

Haddock added that environmental policy is a key issue within the NDP, which thinks "the Liberals are vulnerable on this issue and feel environmental protection will resonate with the public at election time."

Among other NDP leadership candidates, John Horgan also responded to The Sun. He held a news conference Thursday last week to discuss his environmental platform. Nicholas Simons and Dana Larsen did not respond, and Harry Lali has withdrawn his candidacy for the NDP leadership.

Farnworth said he opposes the proposed Enbridge pipeline from the Alberta oilsands to the B.C. coast. "The environmental and economic risks to this proposal far outweigh any economic gain that could be made." He also opposes bulk oil-tanker traffic in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait, and Queen Charlotte Sound because of the "tremendous risks" to the "unique and fragile marine environment."

Dix also voiced his opposition, saying: "In short, the B.C. environment and climate protection cannot be risked on behalf of the rapid tarsands development now underway."

On the issue of the B.C. carbon tax, Farnworth said the tax should fund public transit, not just in the Lower Mainland, but in communities around the province.

Dix agreed, adding he would also "bring in regulatory caps on industrial greenhouse gas emissions and I will be pressing Ottawa to develop a national plan of climate protection so that B.C. is not acting in isolation."

Dix also said that "Site C is a non-starter for a number of reasons, including the Liberal decision to contract with private corporations for too much expensive power, making the potential energy produced by Site C redundant.

"BC Hydro needs to be empowered to become a leader in green energy and in energy conservation — a move that will support the economy and ensure the public interest is protected."

Farnworth agreed that "we're a long way from requiring Site C" and said the provincial focus "should be on energy conservation and addressing the demand side."

As for the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations, created by Gordon Campbell shortly before he was pressured by colleagues to give up the Liberal leadership, Farnworth said the Liberals "rammed through" the ministry and that he would consult with stakeholders and the public service on how best to manage natural resources.

Dix said he'd like to "halt the development of this ministry" if he won an election sooner than later, arguing the ministry is designed to "reduce standards for resource management and to remove from public profile the neglect of our forests and forest industry."

As for the park system, Dix promised to "restore environmental management objectives and increase staffing to support ecological standards, family recreation and properly managed tourism associated with our parks."

Farnworth also said he would restore funding to B.C. parks, add interpretive services, and "engage our young people more directly by establishing an Environmental Youth Corps to renew park infrastructure."

He also argued that during Campbell's term of office, the province has handed over public assets to private power producers, adding: "The rivers, the water and the land in B.C. belong to the people of this province and it's this province that should benefit from our natural resources."

Dix pledged to "stop the current rush to privatize more rivers" and to develop "sound water rental policies that will give our province and our citizens proper return from the private development of our rivers," which means returning to the principles of 'public power' and the prime role for BC Hydro.

Dix added that while he cannot end all old-growth logging, he supports continued protection for "critical old-growth areas through legitimate planning processes" and "significant action against the export of raw logs."

Farnworth said he supports broad consultation with all stakeholders — conservationists, forest workers, and industry — to "find a balanced approach," while agreeing to "undertake identification and protection of key old-growth forests."

Farnworth said the province also needs an "enhanced and expanded environmental assessment process that is independent, fully funded" to assess economic, social and environmental considerations.

Dix said environmental assessment in the province has become a "rubber-stamp process," saying he would "commission a time-limited, publicly accessible process to ensure that B.C. has a modern, effective and credible environmental assessment process. "Destroying fish-bearing lakes is not something we should be doing and a good assessment process will identify any opportunities for alternatives."

Dix also said he is committed to introducing endangered species legislation following formal public hearings and broad public discussion.

Farnworth also supports such legislation "based on sound science."

Finally, Farnworth said he supports a "strong, independent and properly funded" agricultural land commission and a localized no-net-loss policy for farmland.

Dix promised to "provide proper resources" to the commission, plug loopholes in the system, and "support farmers, food production and B.C. food processing."

Last week, Horgan said he supported an expanded carbon tax, a moratorium on new run-of-river power projects, an independent review of all private power projects and capital spending by BC Hydro, support for West Shore light rail, improved energy conservation projects, a new subsidiary of BC Hydro to focus on small- and medium-sized public owned green power projects, an endangered species act, protection for old-growth forests, a budget boost for B.C. parks, and a move away from open net pen salmon farms to closed tank systems.