Regional Land Use Planning: Guidelines on what to expect from the Government of the Northwest Territories – 2016

Key implementation activities

Land use plans are legally binding. The following organizations must follow land use plans:

  • the GNWT when issuing rights and authorizations related to land, water, and resources
  • regulators such as the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board when issuing authorizations for the use of land, water, deposit of waste, and resources related to the development of those rights
  • land corporations that issue rights to settlement lands

The Tłı̨chǫ Plan only applies to Tłı̨chǫ lands. The Tłı̨chǫ Government must grant land access for any use before a regulatory application is filed and bears the bulk of the responsibility for ensuring conformity of any proposed land use. Regulators may still have some implementation responsibilities through terms and conditions they attach to authorizations to implement land protection directives, but they will not have to assess conformity.

GNWT departments that implement approved land use plans

Land (surface and subsurface) Dispositions

  • Lands
  • Industry, Tourism and Investment

Licensing and Permitting

  • Environment and Natural Resources
  • Industry, Tourism and Investment
  • Education, Culture and Employment
  • Transportation

Enforcement

  • Lands
  • Environment and Natural Resources
  • Industry, Tourism and Investment

Government as Proponent

  • Department leading proposed project. (Example: Department of Transportation leading development of a new public highway)