The Government of Northwest Territories (GNWT) is seeking public input on two water management and stewardship initiatives:
- A new Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan (2021-2025).
- Intentions Documents for Transboundary Water Management Agreements with Yukon.
“Clean, abundant water is one of our most valuable natural resources in the Northwest Territories,” said Shane Thompson, minister of environment and natural resources. “Our government will always listen to residents and partners to ensure their values and perspectives are reflected in the ways we manage this precious resource. I encourage everyone to participate in these engagement opportunities.”
The public is invited to provide feedback through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) website until March 15, 2021.
2021-2025 Action Plan Survey
The next five-year Action Plan (2021-2025) for the NWT Water Stewardship Strategy (Water Strategy) is currently being developed with water partners and will help ensure continued progress towards achieving the goals and vision of the Water Strategy.
Northern residents are invited to participate in a survey on ENR’s website until March 15, 2021. The public input collected through this survey will feed into the collaborative Action Plan development process – informing water partners of priorities that should be considered in the 2021-2025 Action Plan.
The Department intends to release a What We Heard Report alongside the new Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan (2021-2025) in the summer of 2021.
NWT Transboundary Water Management Agreement with Yukon
The GNWT and the Yukon Government have negotiated two separate Yukon-NWT Intentions Documents for Peel/Mackenzie Delta and Liard basins, as waters that flow between Yukon and the NWT are located within these two areas. The Intentions Documents address all aspects that will be included in the final bilateral agreements with Yukon.
Public engagement ensures that northern residents are able to express concerns and interests before the agreements are finalized.
The Intentions Documents and plain language summaries are now available on a designated Have Your Say webpage.
Members of the public are invited to review these documents and email their feedback to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources by e-mail at [email protected]. Alternatively, members of the public are able to provide feedback by phone at (867) 767-9234 ext. 53115 until March 15, 2021.
