These approvals, issued under the province's Water Act, are typically used to permit water withdrawals for up to two years for short-term projects such as construction or roadwork. Water usage beyond the two-year limit would require a water licence and the additional oversight such a licence entails. Ecojustice says the Commission is "undermining BC's water management regime and allowing these companies to dewater northern BC" by repeatedly granting short-term approvals (in some cases) for up to five years. Encana Corporation, one of B.C.'s natural gas players, is also named in the suit.
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