As of July 21, 2011, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations has rescinded water licence restrictions within the Chimney Creek watershed, thanks to significant rainfall in the area.

On May 16, 2011, the Province temporarily suspended water rights for licences issued after Oct. 6, 1976. The order was invoked to control the amount of water used within the Chimney Creek watershed, which includes Chimney Lake, Felker Lake and Brunson Lake.

Under the Water Act, water licences are regulated by the licence priority date, meaning older licences have priority over newer ones. The priority date of a licence usually reflects the date the application for water rights was received.

Priority rights were also invoked within the Chimney Creek watershed last year. Residents are encouraged to continue taking voluntary conservation measures to help ease pressures on the water supply.

For more information on what the public can do during drought conditions, go to: http://www.livingwatersmart.ca/drought/action.html

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations
250 356-5261