Welcome. The purpose of this site is to provide you with opportunities to engage with government during the ongoing implementation of the new Water Sustainability Act, which came into force on February 29, 2016. Results of the engagement that has taken place since 2009 can also be found on this site.
Much of the detail related to implementation of the Water Sustainability Act is provided in regulations and operational policies. An initial set of regulations also came into effect on February 29, 2016. Due to the number of proposed regulations and policies, government is taking a phased approach to their development and work in this area continues.
Since the project of modernizing provincial water law began in 2009, government has heard from First Nations, industry and environmental groups, local governments, and individuals with an interest in our water resource. British Columbians sent in thousands of submissions with ideas covering everything from how to protect groundwater, how to ensure our streams and lakes stay healthy, to considering water when we make land use decisions. These ideas helped to inform the policies in the Water Sustainability Act and the initial set of regulations under the Act.
This web site describes the engagement process to date, the written submissions received and the results of the engagement.
Engagement opportunity: Wetlands professional accountability
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Engagement opportunity: Wetland identification and delineation manual
Wetlands are vital ecosystems that support clean water, biodiversity, flood protection, and climate resilience. In British Columbia, wetlands also hold deep cultural and spiritual significance for...
Engagement opportunity: Strategic use of offset payments to support wetland conservation
The provincial guidance on environmental mitigation (reducing impacts) and applying the environmental mitigation hierarchy is provided in the B.C. Environmental Mitigation Policy (EMP) and the B.C....
Engagement opportunity: Applying the mitigation hierarchy for wetlands
Wetlands in B.C. are under increasing development pressures. It is important to explore opportunities to maintain these valuable natural assets. This post explores whether and how to strengthen the...
Engagement opportunity: Managing all wetland classes
Wetlands are essential parts of British Columbia’s landscapes. They support biodiversity, regulate water flow, and improve freshwater quality and sustainability. The Water Sustainability Act (WSA),...
Engagement opportunity: Best management practices for changes in and about a stream
Best management practices provide consistent, clear recommendations or requirements for how to carry out particular work or activities. They are widely accepted and recognized standards of practice...
Engagement opportunity: Expediting existing use groundwater applications
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Engagement opportunity: Low volume water use streamlined authorization process
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Engagement opportunity: Streamlining routine permitting requirements for changes in and about a stream
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Expanding eligibility for stream restoration activities
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Administrative penalties timelines
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Exemption for constructing ice roads to access restoration sites
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Low volume water use without an authorization
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...
Exemption for construction dewatering
Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government’s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline...