Drainage and Water Rights Licensing
Objective
To ensure that sustainable allocation, drainage and control of surface water and allocation of groundwater for various municipal, agricultural, industrial, irrigation, and other purposes are carried out in accordance with The Water Rights Act.
Activity Identification
Develop clear, consistent province-wide licensing administrative procedures and policies through regular review and specific consultation with stakeholders.
Develop clear, concise regulations governing low impact projects to ensure compliance of low risk projects with The Water Rights Act. Regulation development is occurring with stakeholder input in an effort to streamline low risk approvals.
Develop and implement a communication strategy for licensing and enforcement of water allocation, drainage and water control works under The Water Rights Act.
Assess and review proposed private and municipal surface and subsurface water use, drainage and water control works with respect to environmental impact, wetland protection, mitigation of hydrologic impacts, adequacy of the design and input of relevant stakeholders and development authorities.
Assess water allocation, drainage and water control works that might be in violation of The Water Rights Act, with respect to environmental and neighbouring hydrologic impacts, and undertake enforcement activities as required.
Develop and maintain a database of water allocation, drainage and water control works information for tracking purposes.
Promote sustainable groundwater and surface water allocation, drainage and water control works licensing partnerships with conservation districts and rural municipalities.
Provide input and advice to watershed planning, water management planning, and studies of water management projects.
Provide input and advice regarding inter-provincial water allocation, drainage issues, studies, and committees.
Expected Results
Consult with stakeholders on revisions to regulations that are intended to streamline licensing requirements and free up resources for greater enforcement to reduce illegal drainage.
Properly license water allocation and control works in accordance with the requirements of The Water Rights Act.
Assessment of and response to water use allocation and water control works applications in a timely manner.
Response to licence applications and complaints about perceived negative impacts of licensed and unlicensed works in a timely manner.
Decommissioning or modification of private and municipal drainage and water control works in violation of The Water Rights Act.
Minimize environmental and hydrologic impacts of works that are licenced under The Water Rights Act.
Private and municipal drainage and water control works that are adequate and functional with respect to design, and are carried out with the input of all relevant stakeholders and development authorities.
Development and dissemination of educational materials, including guidelines and policies assuring a high level of public awareness and acceptance of the licensing and enforcement requirements under The Water Rights Act.
Readily available, accurate licensing and enforcement statistics.
