{"id":5147,"date":"2025-09-22T12:54:36","date_gmt":"2025-09-22T19:54:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/watersustainabilityact\/?p=5147"},"modified":"2026-02-24T10:23:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:23:54","slug":"engagement-opportunity-expanded-eligibility-for-stream-restoration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/engage.gov.bc.ca\/watersustainabilityact\/2025\/09\/22\/engagement-opportunity-expanded-eligibility-for-stream-restoration\/","title":{"rendered":"Engagement opportunity: Expanding eligibility for stream restoration activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Natural resource permitting plays a significant role in the government\u2019s strategy to strengthen and diversify our economy. <\/span>B.C. is working across the natural resource sector to streamline permitting, <\/span>remove barriers and delays, eliminate duplication, simplify processes <\/span>and shift permitting while<\/span> maintaining high environmental standards and our commitment under the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.<\/span> As part of this work, teams across the natural resource ministries were tasked with identifying areas that would increase efficiency, remove redundancy, and\/or reduce administrative burden. Opportunities with the highest potential for impact and timely implementation are being considered for recommendation to Government.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Water Sustainability Act<\/span><\/a> (WSA) came into force in 2016, and modernized B.C.\u2019s water laws to better manage and protect stream and ground water supply. Under the WSA, parties or individuals who want to carry out fish habitat or channel restoration or maintenance work must apply for and receive a change approval.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

B.C. is exploring ways to streamline the process for qualified proponents doing stream restoration. Instead of focusing on <\/span>who<\/span><\/b> can do the work, the regulation could set clear terms and conditions for <\/span>how<\/span><\/b> the work can be carried out. This approach could create more opportunities for qualified proponents to carry out stream channel or fish habitat restoration and maintenance projects, while still ensuring a high standard of protection for aquatic ecosystems, water users, water quality, public safety, land or other property, and environmental protection.\u00a0 Currently, this process is available to provincial, federal, and local governments, allowing them to submit a notification before beginning the work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balancing timely restoration work with strong protections for the environment and public safety is a complex challenge. To address this, the Province is exploring what terms and conditions might be appropriate in such cases to provide proper guidance for restoration and maintenance activities while minimizing risk. The goal is to explore what work might be able to proceed. Here are some ideas under consideration for stream channel restoration or maintenance:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n