Natural Resource Permitting Improvements
On this page:
closed
16 topics were open for public feedback. Use this page to read quick summaries of each one, or jump to a detailed blog post below to learn more on that topic:
Closed October 17, 2025
Closed December 12, 2025
- Low volume water use – streamlined authorization
- Groundwater applications – expediting applications
- Changes in and about a stream – best practices
- Changes in and about a stream – streamlining permitting
- Managing all wetland classes
- Wetland – mitigation hierarchy
- Wetland conservation – offset payments
- Wetland identification and delineation manual
- Wetland professional accountability
- Streamlining Forest Act permitting
Overview
Dates: September 22 to December 12, 2025
Who: The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
What: Proposed improvements to the province’s natural resource permitting processes
Where: Province-wide
Why: To strengthen our economy, reduce administrative burdens and streamline permitting
How: Online
Introduction
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 permitting, remove barriers and delays, eliminate duplication, simplify processes and shift permitting while maintaining high environmental standards and our commitment under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. As part of this work, 16 topics have been identified under the Water Sustainability Act, Water Sustainability Regulation, Riparian Areas Protection Act, Riparian Areas Protection Regulation and the Forest Act. Opportunities to improve permitting processes for each of these topics are being explored.
Engagement summaries
Thank you for your feedback! Whether you’re a landowner, developer, environmental professional, Indigenous community member, or a general member of the public, your input is important.
Topics we asked about
Click on each title to learn more about the topic.
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Exemption for construction dewatering
Exploring the removal of existing authorization requirements in some instances for removing groundwater encountered while digging during construction projects
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Low volume water use without an authorization
Exploring allowing low volume groundwater use up to 2 cubic metres (2,000 litres) per day without an authorization in areas with available groundwater.
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Exemption for constructing ice roads to access restoration sites
Exploring the removal of short-term water use approvals for the construction of ice roads to support the remediation of inactive oil and gas sites over the winter months.
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Administrative penalties timelines
Exploring ways to better align the timelines and processes for administering penalties under the WSA with the administrative penalty frameworks under other natural resource sector statues.
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Expanding eligibility for stream restoration activities
Exploring opportunities for qualified proponents to carry out stream channel or fish habitat restoration and maintenance projects.
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Riparian Areas Protection Regulation enhancements
Exploring opportunities to expanding exemptions for low-risk activities in riparian areas, introduce flexibility for low-risk activities and recovery efforts in riparian areas and address unclear or missing definitions in the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation.
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Low volume water use streamlined authorization process
Exploring the development of a new streamlined review process for small quantities of water on streams and aquifers where the withdrawal is not expected to have an impact on other authorized water users, on land or other property, and where there are no other significant environmental or cultural concerns.
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Expediting existing use groundwater applications
Exploring streamlining the application review and decision process for existing use groundwater applications
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Best management practice for changes in and about a stream
Updating existing guidance to address gaps in the application process
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Streamlining routine permitting for changes in and about a stream
Exploring allowing applicants to submit one application that may include items such as best management practices, project design, appropriate mitigation measures and environmental monitoring strategies for a single project that can be followed routinely for a set amount of time or that encompasses multiple smaller works across several locations.
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Managing all wetland classes
Considering whether the management of all wetland classes, including bogs and shallow open waters, should be included in the WSA to ensure consistent management and stewardship
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Applying the mitigation hierarchy for wetland activities
Exploring how to better apply the mitigation hierarchy of’ ‘avoid, minimize, restore-onsite, and offset” for activities that may impact wetlands
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Strategic use of offset payments to support wetland conservation
Exploring options to apply compensation measures through the strategic use of offset payments to support wetland restoration activities
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Wetland identification and delineation manual
Developing a clear, science-based manual for professionals, applicants, and decision-makers to determine when a wetland is present (identification) and to identify its boundaries (delineation)
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Wetland professional accountability
Exploring definitions for qualified professionals and assurance statement requirements in applications for work in and around wetlands
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Streamlining Forest Act permitting in Rights of Way
Exploring streamlining the permitting of linear utility projects (such as pipelines and transmission lines) that cross both Crown land and provincial public highway lands which are owned by the BC Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA).
Additional project information
Riparian Areas Protection Regulation enhancements
Riparian areas are the lands next to streams and other waterbodies. They are vital to healthy ecosystems. They support fish habitat, help maintain water quality, and contribute to climate resilience. In some areas of B.C., the Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) helps protect these areas during residential, commercial, and industrial development on private land. It requires that qualified environmental professionals assess proposed developments to ensure they meet environmental standards and protect riparian functions.
B.C. is exploring amendments to RAPR. The goal is to improve clarity, enhance efficiency in permitting, and consider greater flexibility for low-risk activities, while maintaining strong environmental standards.
Key challenges and potential improvements
A short description of each topic being explored is provided here with links to more information and a survey.
Expand exemptions for low-risk activities
We are exploring possible exemptions from RAPR requirements for certain low-risk activities. These might include:
- Repairs and reconstruction of existing structures
- Riparian restoration projects
- Danger tree removal
- Invasive species removal
- Previously approved major projects
- Contaminated site clean up
Introduce flexibility for low-risk activities in riparian areas
Under RAPR, development is prohibited within the Streamside Protection and Enhancement Areas (SPEAs). The SPEA is also called the setback area. This approach does not consider the risk level of activities, meaning the level of effort is the same for all projects regardless of risk.
A more flexible, risk-based approach could allow certain low-risk activities within SPEAs under specific conditions. This might include:
- Waterfront access structures like stairs or trails
- Fence installation with defined parameters
- Erosion and sediment control using bioengineering methods
- Rebuilding on lots after disasters where a structure is damaged or destroyed to the extent of 75% or more of its value above its foundation, as determined by the building inspector.
Any new approach would continue to prioritize the protection of fish habitat and riparian health.
Address unclear or missing definitions
Some terms in the RAPR are unclear, inconsistently applied, or missing entirely. This can create confusion for qualified environmental professionals, local governments, and others involved in planning or development. Uncertainty around definitions can lead to delays, inconsistent outcomes, and extra administrative burden.
Updates to the definitions within the regulation could improve clarity, consistency, and efficiency.
More resources
- More information on the changes being explored
- More about riparian areas in B.C.
Open September 22 to October 20, 2025
Streamlining Forest Act Permitting in Rights of Way
The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) is responsible for permitting linear utility projects (such as pipelines and transmission lines) that cross both Crown land and provincial public highway lands which are owned by the BC Transportation Financing Authority (BCTFA).
When timber removal is required to for these projects, permittees must navigate two distinct authorization processes—one for Crown timber and another for timber on BCTFA lands. Notably, timber on BCTFA Highway Lands is classified as private timber.
This separation in timber authorization processes significantly extends project timelines. Currently, the scaling, transportation, and treatment of felled timber must be handled independently for Crown and private timber. On Crown land, BCER authorizes timber cutting through Master Licenses to Cut (MLTC) under Section 47.4 of the Forest Act. However, for the same project, BCER must also apply for a separate permit to cut timber classified as private under BCTFA jurisdiction. This duplication of effort introduces delays and increases project costs, even when the project has already received initial approvals.
Both BCER and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit have acknowledged the inefficiencies in the current system. Collaborative efforts are underway to explore opportunities for streamlining these processes, with the goal of reducing administrative burden and improving project delivery timelines.
Open September 22 to December 12, 2025
Results
Engagement summary report now available
Thank you to everyone who participated in the public engagement on proposed changes to improve natural resource permitting. We heard from First Nations, local governments, industry, professional associations, regulatory bodies, qualified professionals, academic institutions, federal agencies, not‑for‑profit organizations, and members of the public.
- 48 information and engagement sessions held
- 999 participants attended
- 124 written responses received by email
- 1526 surveys completed
We are pleased to share that all input has been summarized into a What We Heard Report (PDF, 1MB). The proposed changes have changed based on the feedback received.
Next steps on regulatory topics
Based on the feedback received, four of the six regulatory topics were approved in February 2026:
- Conditional exemptions for construction dewatering activities
- Short‑term water use exemption for the construction of ice roads to access restoration sites
- Expanding eligibility for stream restoration activities
- Riparian areas enhancements
Find out more in the Feb 27 government news release.
The Water Sustainability Regulation changes are now in effect and updated Operational Guidance is now available to help proponents and practitioners understand and implement the recent changes:
- New construction dewatering operational policy (PDF, 425KB)
- New construction dewatering policy bulletin (PDF, 186KB)
- Updated Users’ Guide for Changes In and About a Stream in British Columbia (PDF, 820KB)
- New BCER Technical and Information Update: Water Diversions for Ice Road Construction Related to Restoration Activities Now Exempt from Water Sustainability Act Authorization Requirements (TU 2026-05) | BC Energy Regulator (BCER)
The Riparian Areas Protection Regulation changes will take effect January 2027 once some additional work to support implementation has occurred.
Topics requiring further work
The remaining topics may need legislative changes. Because of this, they have a longer timeline. We expect to share more information when it is available.
If you have any questions please contact us at PermittingSolutions@gov.bc.ca.
Related engagements
