Regulatory Process
The process starts when an applicant applies for a water licence, land use permit, or both. Adequate public engagement by the applicant, and issues regarding access to private lands held by Aboriginal land owners, should be addressed well in advance of the submission of the application. We encourage applicants to discuss their intent to apply well in advance with staff at the Land and Water Boards.
Board staff review the application to ensure it is complete. Once this is done, the application is sent out for comment through a public review process. Once this is complete and adequate information on the potential impacts of the intended land or water use is before the Board, the Board carries out a preliminary screening (unless exempt), and then considers whether to:
- Issue a permit and/or licence with terms and conditions; or
- Refer the project to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB) for an environmental assessment, based on evidence of significant environmental impacts and/or public concern.
If the application is referred to MVEIRB, upon completion of the environmental assessment or environmental impact review, the proposed development proceeds to the permitting and/or licensing phase. MVEIRB’s Report of Environmental Assessment or Review that fall within the Boards’ authority are then incorporated into the terms and conditions of the land use permit and/or water licence.
courtesy of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board