This Act creates a comprehensive system for the regulation of the Province's fresh water systems. Specific legislated responsibilities include: granting and managing water licenses; entertaining objections to licenses; apportioning rights under licences; authorizing licensees' rights with respect to compensation and expropriation; holding public inquires; operating appropriate appeal procedures to the Environmental Appeal Board; reserving and removing bodies of water from being used under the Act and issuing certificates incorporating water users' communities.

Act: Water Act, RSBC 1996, Chapter 483

Regulations:

• British Columbia Dam Safety Regulation (B.C. Reg. 44/2000)
• Sensitive Streams Designation and Licensing Regulation (B.C. Reg. 89/2000) see Fish Protection Act
• Water Regulation (B.C. Reg. 204/88)

Ministry: Environment

• Ministry of Agriculture and Lands Legislative Summaries
• Other BC Government Ministries' Legislative Summaries
• Federal Legislation