Environmental Flow Needs

The environmental flow needs (EFN) of a stream are defined as the volume and timing of water flow required for proper functioning of the aquatic ecosystem.

The Water Manager must consider environmental flow needs when deciding a water licence or use approval application on a stream or on an aquifer that is hydraulically connected to a stream.

A provincial EFN policy has been developed to guide the review of applications in their consideration of environmental flow needs.

• Provincial EFN policy (PDF, 1.2MB)

Blueberry River First Nations Implementation Agreement - Pilot Operational Policy

As of November 28, 2023, new Pilot operational policy replaces the Interim approach* and provides a quantitative EFN methodology to support water authorization decisions under Water Sustainability Act s.9 and s.10 in the Blueberry River, Upper Beatton River, and Lower Sikanni Chief River water management basins (Pilot area).

*For applications received between April 1 and November 28, 2023, the Interim approach and Interim User's Guide apply.

• Pilot EFN Operational Guidance - (PDF, 477.9 KB)

The operational policy is accompanied by a new decision support tool that quantifies diversion thresholds established to protect EFNs and generates diversion schedules based on weekly estimates of streamflow variability.

• Pilot Water Allocation Tool (PWAT)
• PWAT User Guide (PDF, 596.7 KB)

To support the recommendation that authorization holders measure streamflow, a streamflow measuring guide has also been developed.

• A User’s Guide to Measure Streamflow (PDF, 1.5 MB)

The pilot operational policy and decision support tool were developed in partnership between Blueberry River First Nations, the BC Energy Regulator, and the Ministry of Water, Land, and Resource Stewardship, per Schedule P of the BRFN Implementation Agreement. Parties intend to provide a collaborative review of the pilot operational policy and decision support tool before the end of 2024.

Interim Policy and Tool

Applications received between April 1, 2023 and November 27 2023 inclusive will be subject to evaluation and decisions according to interim guidance that was in place during this period.

• Interim Comptroller's Guidance on EFN (PDF, 272KB)
• Interim EFN Tool User’s Guide (PDF, 1.18MB)

Exemptions

Application types that typically will not have an effect on environmental flow needs are exempted from the mandatory requirement to consider EFN under Water Sustainability Regulation (WSR) s.16. However, the Water Manager has the discretion to consider EFNs in any application.

• Water Sustainability Regulation 

The following exemptions are defined in the WSR:

• An application for a new authorization for a domestic purpose
• An application for a change approval
• An application for a drilling authorization on an aquifer that is not hydraulically connected to a stream
• Existing groundwater users applying for authorization within the transition period
• An application under WSA ss.26, 27 or 31 (amendments to authorizations) but only if granting the application would not cause a change in the point of diversion, an increase in the rate of diversion or a change in the timing of water use
• An application for a final licence

Assessments and Reporting

You may be required to support your application for a licence or use approval with additional information, which may include reports or assessments that detail the stream's aquatic ecosystem needs. Reports and assessments must be carried out by people with the qualifications specified by the Water Manager.