The GNWT is currently seeking public input on two key water stewardship and management initiatives: a new Water Stewardship Strategy Action Plan (2021-2025); and Intentions Documents for Transboundary Water Management Agreements with Yukon.
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
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Mr. Speaker, strengthening the government’s leadership and authority on climate change, ensuring climate change impacts are specifically considered when making government decisions, and increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy are mandate priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly.
Results of water quality monitoring completed by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) indicate that concentrations of some metals and hydrocarbons in the Slave and Hay Rivers were elevated in July, due to unprecedented high flows, but the majority returned to their normal range in August and are not expected to pose a health risk to aquatic life.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its first progress reports on our territory-wide approach to climate change.
Strengthening the government’s leadership and authority on climate change, ensuring climate change impacts are specifically considered when making government decisions as well as reducing the cost of power and increasing the use of alternative and renewable energy, are priorities of the Mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories, 2019-2023.
The Mobile Core Bathurst Caribou Management Zone (Mobile Zone) is now in effect for the 2020/21 winter season. This no-harvest zone is one of several management actions established by the GNWT and co-management partners to protect the declining Bathurst caribou herd.
It is illegal to harvest caribou within the Mobile Zone.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) actively monitors caribou and hunters in the area. If you are caught harvesting in the Mobile Zone, you may be charged under the Wildlife Act.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources would like to advise the public of higher than normal water levels and flow rates on many lakes, rivers and streams across the Northwest Territories (NWT).
Many water bodies in the NWT experienced record high water levels during the summer of 2020 due to significant rain and snow. These high water levels have continued during the fall and will likely remain throughout the winter.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is pleased to share the results of the 2020 Northwest Territories (NWT) Environmental Audit, released today.
Every five years, an independent auditor is appointed to conduct an Environmental Audit, as required under legislation and land claim agreements. The Audit is a way to assess how well the NWT environmental regulatory system is working and provide recommendations to help guide decision-makers, not just the GNWT.
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Mr. Speaker, we have a strong and effective regulatory system in the Northwest Territories that relies on Indigenous, territorial and federal governments working together to make wise decisions about the use of our land and water. This system is always evolving to serve the people of this territory better.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) has released two new videos promoting the NWT-wide Community-based Water Quality Monitoring Program.
The videos provide an overview of the program and step-by-step instructions on how to take a water sample. The two videos are intended to be valuable resources for NWT communities looking to get more involved in research and monitoring.
Two new programs to support harvesters and families going out on the land in 2020-2021 are now taking applications.
· The Take a Family on the Land Program provides up to $10,000 in funding to engage families in outdoor learning experiences that encompass northern perspectives, values and practices. Applications are being accepted from NWT Indigenous governments and organizations, community governments and not-for-profit associations.
