The Province is working on improving the permitting process for the natural-resource sector, and members of the public are invited to provide feedback on proposals related to water management.

The government says it is working to speed up permitting, reduce the backlog of applications and help get shovels in the ground.

As part of the review, a series of surveys about proposed changes are open for public comment.

An initial 16 topics have been identified for permitting reform.

Topics will fall under the Water Sustainability Act, Water Sustainability Regulation, Riparian Areas Protection Act, Riparian Areas Protection Regulation and Forest Act.

Proposals on how to improve permitting processes for each of these topics have been developed.

Topics that will be part of this engagement process include:

• exemption for construction dewatering;
• exemption for constructing ice roads to access restoration sites;
• expediting existing use groundwater applications;
• expanded eligibility for stream restoration;
• low-volume water use without an authorization;
• enhancements to the Riparian Area Protection Regulation;
• strategic use of offset payments to support wetland conservation; 
• managing all wetland classes;
• Wetland Identification and Delineation Manual and wetland professional accountability;
• administrative penalties timelines; and
• streamlining Forest Act permitting in Ministry of Transportation and Transit right-of-ways.

You can learn more and find the surveys at Government of British Columbia.

Some surveys will close in October while others in mid-December.