Apply to amend a water use approval

Request changes to an existing short term use approval

Eligibility

There are no limitations on who may apply, however, landowner consent must be provided for any lands where work is being done for this authorization.

If work in this application is being done to support oil and gas activities that are being authorized by the BC Energy Regulator, apply to the regulator instead.

Overview

This application allows you to request any of the following changes to your existing short term use approval:

  • Transfer of appurtenancy – apply to transfer all or part of the rights and obligations under a short term use approval to a different appurtenancy (ie. parcel of land or another mine or undertaking)
  • Change of works – apply to change the works previously approved under your short term use approval
  • Change of purpose – apply to change the existing water use purposes previously approved under your short term use approval. Note: if you want to add an additional purpose, you will need to apply for a new use approval (short term use of water)
  • Extension of term – apply to extend the term of the short term use approval. Note: total term for short term use approval may not exceed 24 months

You can apply for one or more options through one amendment application, but not in combination with a transfer of appurtenancy.

Costs

Fees are calculated automatically as you complete the online application.

Fees can be paid online at the time of application, or at a FrontCounter BC location. See payment guidelines for more information.

Application fees are not required from:

  • Provincial or federal ministries
  • First Nations using water on reserve land
  • Nisga'a citizen or entities applying to use water from the Nisga'a Water Reservation
  • Amendments that are processed by the BC Energy Regulator

Exemption to use of water on Treaty land is also possible. Individual Treaty Agreements will be referenced when determining exemptions.

The fees can be found in Schedule 1 of the Water Sustainability Fees, Rentals and Charges Tariff Regulation.

Apply

Collect the following information and documents before you start your online application.

Review application requirements

Prior to starting your application, carefully review the application requirements including, but not limited to, supporting documents. Requirements vary by amendment type and are described below.

For all applications

Information required to complete an application for all amendment types:

  • The name and contact information of the applicant and the applicant's agent, if applicable.  If there are co-applicants for the licence, a BCeID is required in order to complete and submit the application. Obtain the BCeID before starting your water licence application as you will not be able to save your application without it
  • Job number or the vFCBC tracking number of the existing short term use approval
  • Description of the changes you would like to make and the reasons for the changes

For a transfer of appurtenancy

  • If you want to transfer only part of your approval, provide a description of the water use purpose and water quantity for the transferred portion
  • If the transfer involves dividing all or part of the rights under your approval between appurtenancies, provide details about which portions of rights are being transferred to which appurtenancies
  • Description of the land, mine or undertaking to which some or all of the rights under the approval are being transferred (legal description, PID, or description if the land is unsurveyed) and the name of the new owners

If any changes to the works are required you will also have to fill out the 'Change of Works' section of the application.

For a change of works

  • A detailed description of any changes to works you would like to add to the approval. Note: if you are adding a new well you will need to apply for a new short term use approval

For a change of water use purpose

The proposed new water use purpose(s) and the quantity for each purpose. See Water Use Purposes (PDF, 220KB) for more information.

For an extension of term

  • New proposed end date of the licence term. The total term for a short term use approval may not exceed 24 months
  • Reason for requesting an extension in the approval term

Documents

  • A copy of your Letter of Agency (PDF, 75KB) or other proof of authorization if you are completing the application on behalf of the applicant
  • If you share or are connected to another person's works, it is recommended that a Joint Works Agreement (PDF, 375KB) outlining each party's role and responsibilities be completed

A detailed list of information requirements can be found in the Water Sustainability Regulation.

Potential additional requirements

  • Crown land tenure authorizes the use of Crown land when a permit over Crown land is not sufficient and is required when any of the following apply:
    • The water use purpose is either 'Power Commercial' or 'Power General'
    • Any of the new works are considered major works (meaning for conveyance of 0.01 m3/s or more, for waterworks purpose or industrial purpose)
    • Your new works include a dam higher than 9 metres or storage greater than 1,000,000 m3
    • Your new works include a permanent access road, a power house or transmission lines
  • Permit over Crown land authorizes the flooding of Crown land or the construction, maintenance or operation of works on Crown land in a manner that does not require a Crown land tenure
  • Supplemental information or technical reports that provide case-specific information required to make a decision on your application. This information supplements what you already submitted. Examples include geotechnical report, fish report, erosion control plans, etc. Government staff will ask you to provide this information when required

Submit an application

Submit an application

Once you have assembled the required documents for your application, apply online.

Apply

Amend your application

After you have submitted an application, you can amend or cancel it:

After you apply

Your application will go through the following process before any decision is made about whether the use approval will be granted:

  1. Receiving the application
    FrontCounter BC will process your payment and review any documents you might mail or bring to one of the FrontCounter BC offices. If more information is required, they will contact you. Your application will not be accepted for adjudication until all required information is received.

  2. Consultation and referrals
    Applications may be referred to other provincial and federal regulatory agencies for comment during the adjudication process. Consultation with First Nations, other water users, community groups or other parties may be required if existing rights could be affected by your application.

  3. Review
    Once FrontCounter BC has received all comments and objections from potentially affected parties, and any additional information provided by you or affected parties, applications undergo a technical review. During the technical review process, you may be asked to provide additional information or may be required to undertake further study to support your application. On the basis of this review, a recommendation will be made for the consideration of a statutory decision maker, normally a water manager, who is authorized under legislation to grant a use approval.

  4. Decision
    A water manager from the Province of British Columbia will decide whether to approve your application after weighing the information, and will inform you of the decision.

Application enquiries

Read more about application processing and how to check the status of your application.

Contact information

Find the FrontCounter BC office closest to you.

FrontCounter BC Toll Free
1-877-855-3222
Email
FrontCounterBC@gov.bc.ca

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