About the Yukon Water Board
The Yukon Water Board plays a vital role in the stewardship and sustainable use of Yukon’s water resources. Its blend of legislated authority, citizen governance, commitment to public engagement, and adherence to procedural standards make it a cornerstone of Yukon’s regulatory and environmental landscape.
Water licences
The Yukon Water Board is the sole regulator of the use of water and deposit of waste into water in the Yukon. It is an independent administrative tribunal established under the Waters Act with statutory obligations under the Umbrella Final Agreement and the Yukon Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment Act (YESAA).
Adhering to the principles of natural justice and procedural fairness, the Board issues, renews, amends, cancels and assigns water licences for various undertakings in the Yukon. Undertakings include municipal, quartz mining, placer mining, industrial, agricultural, conservational and recreational.
Class 4 placer land use operations
The Government of Yukon has delegated certain functions to the Board. This includes functions of the Chief of Placer Land Use (Chief) in regards to Class 4 Placer Land Use Operations.
Under the Placer Mining Act and Placer Mining Land Use Regulation the Board may, as Chief:
- approve a Class 4 operating plan;
- require and determine the amount of security for a Class 4 operating plan;
- approve amendments or renewal of a Class 4 operating plan; and
- authorize an assignment of a Class 4 operating plan.
History
1972
The Northern Inland Waters Act (Canada) established the Yukon Territory Water Board. The Board was the regulator of water in the Territories of Canada. The act also set out a process to license water use and waste disposal projects.
The Government of Canada administered the Board at this time.
1993
The Umbrella Final Agreement was signed on May 29. The Yukon First Nations' Final Agreements were implemented. These agreements named the Board as the regulatory authority of water in the Yukon. They also contained provisions for it functioning as a board.
In June, the Yukon Waters Act (Canada) replaced the Northern Inland Waters Act (Canada). This addressed changes in territorial boundaries and the creation of Nunavut.
2003
On April 1, the Government of Canada's powers devolved to the Government of Yukon. The Waters Act replaced the Yukon Waters Act (Canada) as mirror legislation.
