VICTORIA -The water licence application process will become easier for clients, effective Dec. 6, 2013.

Amendments to the water regulation to assist clients in obtaining permit approvals faster include:

• Changing the quick licensing procedures to allow applicants to deliver information to landowners electronically regarding water licence applications where there is ample water available. Currently, information about the application must be delivered by hard copy; and
• Eliminating the current requirement to provide duplicate signatures on water licence applications.

Starting Dec. 6, 2013, the application for new water licences will be available online, replacing the existing paper application forms: www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca

The online water licence amendment application will follow a few weeks later.

The changes to the water regulation and addition of electronic water applications build on the BC Jobs Plan commitment to increase job creation in the natural resource sector and making it easier and faster for industry to invest in the economy.

Quote:

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

"Government has made significant steps to streamline the natural resource permitting process. These latest changes will allow for quicker turn-around on application approvals and easier access to the information clients need."

Quick Facts:

• In August, notifications for water licence name changes and transfers were added online.
• FrontCounterBC provides service on behalf of 16 partner agencies and can assist with more than 130 natural resource-related permits and authorizations at each location.
• Since Jan. 1, 2007, approximately 58,900 authorizations have been processed.

Learn More:

To learn more about the BC Jobs Plan, visit: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/

FrontCounter BC online application changes: http://www.frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca/news/

Contact:

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