The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) are inviting comments and recommendations in response to specific questions on the interpretation and application of the legislation and the LWB Referen
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WLWB holding public hearing on Ekati Licence Renewal
The Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board is holding a public hearing regarding Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. (Arctic)’s Ekati – Licence Renewal. The hearing will take place at Behchokǫ̀’s Ko Gocho Centre (Sportsplex), on the following dates:
June 13: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT
June 14: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. MT (includes evening session)
June 15: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MT
Welcome to our summer students!
The Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board (WLWB) is thrilled to announce the addition of two new summer students who will be joining our team at our offices for the upcoming months. We are excited to welcome Aaron Jeremick'ca from Whati, who will be assisting the WLWB team at our Yellowknife office, and Cole Ekendia from Behchokǫ̀, who will be supporting our operations in our Wekweètì office.
Both Aaron and Cole have plans to pursue their post-secondary education starting in the fall. Their dedication and enthusiasm are valuable assets that will contribute to our team's success.
SAVE THE DATE: Resource Co-Management Workshop coming in October
A three-day workshop on resource co-management will be held in Fort Simpson from October 17 to 19, 2023. Possible topics on the workshop agenda may include an introduction to Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act as well as updates from local projects, the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee, and reclamation activities. Participants and interested parties are encouraged to share their suggestions for the agenda by sending an email to ecc_iasm@gov.nt.ca.
More information on the workshop will be provided at a later date.
WLWB holding Diavik public hearing this week
The Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board is holding a public hearing in Behchokǫ̀ this week regarding Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.'s water licence amendment application. The proposed amendment pertains to the decommissioning of the Diavik project located in Lac de Gras, NT.
The public hearing will provide an opportunity for stakeholders and members of the public to express their views and engage in discussions related to this significant amendment application. The hearing will take place at the Behchokǫ̀ Ko Gocho Centre (Sportsplex) in Behchokǫ̀ on the following dates:
Diavik Amendment Application Public Hearing
A Diavik Amendment Application Public Hearing will be taking place at the Kǫ̀ Gocho Sportsplex Centre in Behchokǫ̀ from May 30 to June 1.
Anyone who has questions about the hearing or for any of the presenters, please email Ryan Fequet.
Please see the full agenda for details.
CANCELLED: LWB Engagement Guidelines Workshop
It is with great disappointment that the Land and Water Boards announce the cancellation of the LWB Engagement Guidelines workshop (scheduled for May 17) due to the current wildfire and evacuation situations unfolding in the NWT. Further communication about the LWBs’ Guideline update process and rescheduling of the workshop will occur at a later date.
Our thoughts and hearts are with the Kátł'odeeche First Nation and community of Hay River at this time.
Please stay safe.
Public hearing cancellation
This is a notice that the Public Hearing for the Government of the Northwest Territories – Department of Infrastructure’s (GNWT-INF’s) Water Licence Amendment (W2020L8-0001) for increased Water Use on the Tłı̨chǫ All Season Road has been cancelled.
Ekati Closure Workshop Cancelled
The Ekati Closure Workshop, originally scheduled for May 1 to 5, has been cancelled. This is due to the fact that Version 3.1 of Arctic Diamond's Interim Closure and Reclamation Plan is not yet ready for public review.
The Board and Arctic staff are working to ensure that the submission conforms to all the necessary requirements. The workshop may be re-scheduled at a later date. In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Executive Director Ryan Fequet.
EKATI RENEWAL TECHNICAL SESSION
The Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board (WLWB) will be hosting a Technical Session for the renewal of the water licence for the Ekati Mine at the Tree of Peace in Yellowknife from March 27 to 29.
The Technical Session Agenda can be viewed here.
New Waste and Wastewater Management Policy released
The Land and Water Boards (LWBs) are pleased to announce the release of the Waste and Wastewater Management Policy, which updates and replaces the Water and Effluent Quality Management Policy.
Land and Water Boards release updated Engagement and Consultation Policy
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) have released an updated Engagement and Consultation Policy, emphasizing the importance of early and meaningful engagement for well-planned projects and efficient regulatory processes. The newest version of the policy document, which has been several years in the making, is critical in helping the LWBs carry out permitting, licensing, and preliminary screening in the Mackenzie Valley.
NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, MACKENZIE VALLEY LAND AND WATER BOARD
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board is pleased to announce that Dr. Kathleen Racher has accepted an offer to become the next Executive Director (ED) of the organization. She will replace Dr. Shelagh Montgomery when she leaves the Board at the end of March 2023.
Final Virtual MVRMA Workshop of 2022 this week
The final Virtual MVRMA Workshop Series of 2022 will take place during the mornings of Dec. 15 and 16.
The fourth workshop will focus on how decision-making within the co-management system is adapting to climate change.
Registration remains open and the draft agenda and other information can be found on our MVRMA Workshop page.
Please email Kate Mansfield at kmansfield@reviewboard.ca for any further questions or comments.
Land and Water Boards adopt Traditional Knowledge guideline
Protecting the way of life of Indigenous people under Section 35 of the Constitution Act and established Treaties is a critical part of the decision-making process when considering who can use an area in the Mackenzie Valley.
Land and Water Boards closed for Remembrance Day
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley (LWBs) will be closed on Friday, November 11 in honour of Remembrance Day.
Staff and Board members acknowledge the sacrifice that Canada's Veterans have made so that we can live in peace and freedom.
Regular office hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 14 at 8:30 a.m.
Lest We Forget.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley will be closed on Friday, Sept. 30 in recognition of the second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Our office will reopen on Monday, Oct. 3.
We recognize the day’s importance in raising awareness of the truth and history of residential schools in Canada.
SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK ON VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS
The Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act Workshop Planning Committee requests your feedback on the two remaining 2022 virtual workshops and the 2023 workshop.
Please visit our Share Your Feedback page to learn more.
Engagement and Consultation workshop coming in September
The next virtual Resource Co-management Workshop will focus on Engagement and Consultation and will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 28 and Thursday, Sept. 29.
You are invited to register for the event through our webform found here.
This workshop will be the third of four scheduled in 2022 and it will be hosted by the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley, the Mackenzie Valley Review Board, the Government of the Northwest Territories, and the Government of Canada.
Join us for MVRMA Closure and Reclamation workshop - June 8-9
The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) will be hosting its second virtual workshop of 2022 in an effort to help residents become more familiar with the co-management system.
Please see the scheduled events here.
WATCH LIVE NOW: NIGHTHAWK PUBLIC HEARING
The WLWB will be holding a public hearing for Nighthawk's Water Licence Amendment Applications and Land Use Permit Applications today and tomorrow (April 12 &13, 2022), from 9 to 4pm daily, at the Explorer Hotel, as well as via Zoom. You can view the hearing live below, or on Cabin Radio's Facebook page.
2022 MVRMA Workshop Agenda and Registration Details (March 30 and 31, 2022)
The MVRMA Workshop Planning Committee is pleased to host a series of four virtual workshops in 2022 related to the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. The topics of the workshops were selected based on the results of a Fall 2021 survey given to participants of the MVRMA co-management system.
Employment Opportunity: Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board/Wek'èezhìı Renewable Resources Board
The Wek'èezhìı Land and Water Board is currently hiring for a joint Communications Officer position with the Wek'èezhìı Renewable Resources Board, located in Yellowknife, NT. This job-share position is open for applications until April 3, 2022. For details about the position, and to apply, click here.
Tłı̨chǫ Government releases film - Kǫ̀k’etı̀: Walking with Caribou
In collaboration with Trail Films, the Tłı̨chǫ Government has developed the film Kǫ̀k’etı̀: Walking with Caribou.
Strategic Plan for the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley 2022 - 2026
We are pleased to announce the release of the Strategic Plan for the Land and Water Boards of the Mackenzie Valley 2022-2026. The purpose of this 2022-2026 Strategic Plan is to outline where the Boards will focus their efforts and how they will go about their collective work over the next five years.