{"id":87322,"date":"2026-07-20T10:20:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-20T17:20:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/?post_type=engagement&#038;p=87322"},"modified":"2026-07-20T12:29:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-20T19:29:00","slug":"natural-resource-tribunals","status":"publish","type":"engagement","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/natural-resource-tribunals\/","title":{"rendered":"Natural Resource Tribunals"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group engage-banner has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fbda80\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"top\">Engagement is open until August 14, 2026<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#858689\"><\/span><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1673\" height=\"1253\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-88686\" alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction.jpg\" style=\"object-position:46% 60%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"46% 60%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction.jpg 1673w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction-1024x767.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction-768x575.jpg 768w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction-1536x1150.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Winery-Construction-1200x899.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1673px) 100vw, 1673px\" \/><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-container\"><div class=\"engagement-page\"><div class=\"engagement-content-wrapper\"><h1 class=\"engagement-title-banner \" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/themes\/bcgov-engagement\/dist\/images\/blue-curve-bg.svg)\">Natural Resource Tribunals<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-engagement-content\"><bcgov-breadcrumb>\n        <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\">Home<\/a>\n                      <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/\">Engagement Opportunities<\/a> \n                  <span>\n        Natural Resource Tribunals\n  <\/span>\n  <div style=\"display: flex\" slot=\"breadcrumb-extra\">\n      <\/div>\n  <\/bcgov-breadcrumb>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-2 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">On this page:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#tribunals\" title=\"\">What are natural resource tribunals?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#contribution\" title=\"\">What is the challenge?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#proposed\" title=\"\">What is being proposed?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#feedback\" title=\"\">We want your feedback<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-call-to-action\"><div class=\"cta-header\"><p class=\"cta-status status-open\" aria-label=\"Status: open\">open<\/p><p class=\"days-left-message\"><\/p><\/div><div class=\"cta-body\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=AFLbbw09ikqwNtNoXjWa3O0AVqY_rqpMtmS4jhbzeuZUQzFMTFk5Q0M3MzFIWkNWUFlBUzE3WFpIVyQlQCN0PWcu\">Share your feedback<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Survey is open until August 14 at 4 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-govtogether-engagement-header\"><div class=\"text-column\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Dates:<\/strong> July 20 to August 14<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"remove-bottom-margin\"><strong>Who: <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Management<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Ministry of Environment and Parks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Ministry of Forests<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What: <\/strong>Proposed improvements to two natural resource tribunals<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong> Province-wide<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why:<\/strong> To strengthen B.C.&#8217;s economy while maintaining high environmental standards and outcomes<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How: <\/strong>Online<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"taxonomy-engagement_category wp-block-post-terms\"><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__prefix\"><strong>Category: <\/strong><\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/law-and-public-safety\/\" rel=\"tag\">Law and Public Safety<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/natural-resource-sector\/\" rel=\"tag\">Natural Resource Sector<\/a><span class=\"wp-block-post-terms__separator\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement_category\/natural-resources\/\" rel=\"tag\">Natural Resources<\/a><\/div><\/div><div class=\"image-column\"><span role=\"img\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"engagement-image\" style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/NR-Tribunals-Logging-Truck-scaled.jpg);background-position:57.99999999999999% 35%\"><\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tribunals\">What are natural resource tribunals?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Tribunals are legal independent bodies that can review decisions made by the Province. Sometimes a tribunal is also called a board or commission. Natural resource tribunals in B.C. are designed to provide a process for the public to appeal government decisions on environmental issues like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Water licences<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pesticide permits<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contaminated site remediation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These tribunals serve as an alternative to taking disputes directly to court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"challenge\">What is the challenge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In B.C., the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bceab.ca\/\" title=\"\">Environmental Appeal Board (EAB)<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bcfac.ca\/\" title=\"\">Forest Appeals Commission (FAC)<\/a> are two major natural resource tribunals. The EAB and FAC resolve disputes about decisions made by government on forests and environmental issues under specific laws and regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Appeal processes to the EAB and FAC were designed to provide a fair, accessible, and timely process for reviewing natural resource decisions. Over time, appeal processes have become more complex and lengthy, which has contributed to delays in the permitting and enforcement system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"proposed\">What is being proposed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Province is looking at possible changes to laws and processes to make sure appeals work the way they were originally intended. This could include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Deciding certain appeals based on existing record instead of requiring a new hearing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No longer pausing monetary penalties when an appeal is filed, and instead refunding the penalty if the appeal is successful<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This work supports efforts to strengthen B.C.\u2019s economy while maintaining high environmental standards and outcomes, and obligations to First Nations. We want your feedback<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"feedback\">We want your feedback<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-bcgov-primary-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.office.com\/Pages\/ResponsePage.aspx?id=AFLbbw09ikqwNtNoXjWa3O0AVqY_rqpMtmS4jhbzeuZUQzFMTFk5Q0M3MzFIWkNWUFlBUzE3WFpIVyQlQCN0PWcu\">Take the survey<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><br>Written responses can also be sent to <a href=\"mailto:PermittingSolutions@gov.bc.ca\">PermittingSolutions@gov.bc.ca<\/a> until <strong>August 14, 2026 at 4 pm PT<\/strong>. Written submissions must follow these guidelines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Does not contain profanity or content that is defamatory, threatening, hateful, personally disparaging, harassing, indecent, vulgar, obscene, illegal, immoral or sexually explicit (partially masking profanity or other unacceptable language by substituting asterisks or other symbols into a word is not acceptable if the word remains recognizable)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not appear to, or actually, infringe the copyright, trademark, right of privacy, right of publicity or any other intellectual property or other proprietary right of any third party<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not contain information about, or images (e.g., photographs, videos or illustrations) of, any person other than the person submitting the content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not advertise any product, person or organization, or direct attention to another website for personal gain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not provide links to, or information about, other sites that contain unlawful, objectionable or inappropriate content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not make unproven or unsupported accusations against individuals, groups or organizations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Does not appear to be spam-like messaging, a repeat posting or a template letter writing campaign<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Is not far off-topic<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Collection notice<\/strong>: The information you provide will be collected for the purposes of informing the Natural Resource Tribunals engagement. If you have any questions about the collection of this personal information, please contact: <a href=\"mailto:PermittingSolutions@gov.bc.ca\">PermittingSolutions@gov.bc.ca<\/a>. This information is being collected by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship under the authority of section 26(c) and 26(e) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (\u201cFOIPPA\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related engagements<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"related-engagements\">\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Child and Youth Well-Being Action Plan. Categories: Families and Residents, Health, Law and Public Safety. Status: Ongoing.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-ongoing\">\n                                            Ongoing                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/child-and-youth-well-being-action-plan\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Child and Youth Well-Being Action Plan                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Health<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/child-and-youth-well-being-action-plan\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/06\/CYWB-engagement-hero-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Community Advisory Group on Extortion. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety, Multi-language. Status: Open.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-open\">\n                                            Open                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Community Advisory Group on Extortion                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Multi-language<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/extortion\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/Extortion-Police-Car.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Daylight Saving Time. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Daylight Saving Time                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/daylight-saving-time\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2026\/03\/DST-Banner.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Legal Professions Regulatory Reform. Categories: Economy and Jobs, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed\">\n                                            Closed                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/legal-professions-reform\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Legal Professions Regulatory Reform                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Economy and Jobs<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/legal-professions-reform\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/LegalProfessions2.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Making Family Law Better for Families. Categories: Families and Residents, Law and Public Safety. Status: Closed with results.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-closed with results\">\n                                            Closed with results                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Making Family Law Better for Families                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Families and Residents<\/span>\n                                                    <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/making-family-law-better\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2023\/02\/FLA-Phase-2-dad-and-kids-hug-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"govtogether-engagement-card\" aria-label=\"Engagement title: Information Schedules. Categories: Law and Public Safety. Status: Ongoing.\">\n            <div class=\"card-header\">\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-status status-ongoing\">\n                                            Ongoing                                     <\/div>\n\n                <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/information-schedules\/\" class=\"engagement-title\">\n                        Information Schedules                <\/a>\n\n                <div class=\"engagement-categories\">\n                                                                        <span class=\"category-pill\">Law and Public Safety<\/span>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                \n            <\/div>\n\n            <a href=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/engagement\/information-schedules\/\" class=\"card-image-container\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"engagement-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/app\/uploads\/sites\/121\/2025\/04\/Information-Schedules1.jpeg\" \/>\n            <\/a>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":88686,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","engagement_category":[247,22,272],"engagement_region":[192],"engagement_status":[47],"engagement_pin_group":[],"class_list":["post-87322","engagement","type-engagement","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","engagement_category-law-and-public-safety","engagement_category-natural-resource-sector","engagement_category-natural-resources","engagement_region-province-wide","engagement_status-open"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"pinned_engagement_toggle":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/87322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/engagement"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/87322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":88837,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement\/87322\/revisions\/88837"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/88686"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=87322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"engagement_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_category?post=87322"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_region","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_region?post=87322"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_status?post=87322"},{"taxonomy":"engagement_pin_group","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/govtogetherbc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/engagement_pin_group?post=87322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}