An easy-to-use website that helps British Columbians explore for land-based opportunities was launched today by Minister of State for Rural Economic Development, Donna Barnett.

The new Natural Resource Sector (NRS) Online Services website makes it easier for clients to get the information they need to successfully apply for natural resource related authorizations. The application process is also faster, with the use of smart forms, application guidance and activity- and land-based assessment tools.

The explore features on NRS Online Services provide application assistance to help clients understand what is needed to complete a land-based authorization application. These include:

• Explore by Location, which helps clients see how land and resources are being used in a location of interest to the client.
• Explore by Activity, which allows clients to view guidance documents for each type of natural resource activity and provides eligibility and information requirements to help clients with the application process.
• An Area of Interest Evaluation Report, which provides a written summary of important information such as existing land rights, resource constraints or environmental considerations for any geographic area selected by a client.

Additional features of NRS Online Services will be available in spring 2017 which will make it easier for clients to make payments and manage their documents online, and to simplify the process for Notice of Work applications for placer mining, gravel pits and mineral exploration.

NRS Online Services is part of the Natural Resource Permitting Project – a multi-year initiative aimed at reducing red tape, putting citizens and business first, improving services, streamlining processes, integrating government decision making and improving access to information.

To access NRS Online Services website: https://portal.nrs.gov.bc.ca/

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“The new NRS Online Services website provides improved access to information for British Columbians, making it easier for them to explore for land-base opportunities online. It’s another example of the Province’s commitment to reducing red tape and improving government services."

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

“Through the Natural Resource Permitting Project, the Province is making a significant investment in helping communities balance economic development with protecting our natural resources.”

Williams Lake and District Chamber of Commerce president Charlene Harrison –

“As a business organization, we applaud new services that reduce red tape and make it easier for companies to take advantage of economic opportunities, while still protecting the natural resources that are so important in the north. NRS Online Services will help individuals and companies do work upfront before deciding to make a land-based application – saving time and money.”

(flickr.com)

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia’s natural resource sectors drive economic activity and employment, generating close to $3 billion in direct revenue for the Province each year.
• Over 156,000 jobs in B.C. are directly related to resource extraction and manufacturing in the areas of agriculture, forestry, mining, and oil and gas.
• Through the Natural Resources Permitting Project, the Province’s natural resource ministries and agencies are aligning legislation, processes, people and technology, to allow for the integrated management of B.C.’s natural resources.

Learn More:

• Learn more about NRPP at: www.gov.bc.ca/naturalresourcepermittingproject