Proposed Policies For Implementing B.C.'s New Water Sustainability Act Available For Comment

On July 30, 2015, the British Columbia government released four discussion papers for public comment outlining proposed new policies for regulations under the Water Sustainability Act. These papers are important as much of the detail on how the new water regime will work will be contained in the regulations. Moreover, these papers signal the government's current direction on groundwater licensing, dam safety, groundwater protection, and compliance and enforcement. Comments on all four papers will be accepted until September 8, 2015.

BACKGROUND

B.C.'s Water Sustainability Act (Act) was passed in May 2014 and is anticipated to come into force in 2016. The Act will replace the existing Water Act, implement a new groundwater licensing scheme and update the water regulatory regime generally. The delay in implementation is due to the need to revise and align the existing regulations with the new Act, as well as to establish processes for the new requirements. Currently,