SANTO LAND & WATER BOARD 00•44■11, I tee Mw 1 3 2012 III - Northwest " Territories Minister of Municipal and Community Affairs RECEIVED AUG 0 2 2012 Mr. Larry Wallace Chair Sahtu Land & Water Board BOX 1 FORT GOOD HOPE NT XOE OHO Dear Mr. Wallace: Consistent Municipal Water Licence Compliance Issues in the Sahtu Region: Norman Wells, Tulita, Deline, Fort Good Hope, and Colville Lake Thank you for the update on the water licence compliance and reporting concerns in Sahtu communities. The Department of Municipal and Community Affairs (MACA) will continue to work with all communities in the Northwest Territories to promote the requirements and benefits of maintaining their water licence. Since 2006, MACA has been providing some funding to community governments for water licence application development. This funding is limited and priority is given to communities that do not have an existing water licence. Second priority is given to those communities that are renewing their water licence. There is funding available in this fiscal year and MACA will contact those communities in the Sahtu that are eligible for the funding to offer assistance Compliance with water licences has been an ongoing issue in many communities in the Northwest Territories. MACA has participated, where invited, with other Water Board initiatives to improve compliance. For example, we worked with the Wek'eezhii Land and Water Board on a community based monitoring program and with the NWT Water Board on technical sessions. We would be happy to participate in any initiatives that the Sahtu Land and Water Board is leading to improve compliance. .../2 Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT Canada X1A 2L9 Phone: (867) 669-2345 Fax: (867) 873-0169 -2- The inspection reports that you have shared have been forwarded to our Regional office. Where possible, through our regular programs, MACA will assist by reminding communities of their obligations under their water license and offer technical support to address some of the concerns highlighted in the inspection reports. If the Sahtu Land and Water Board would like to discuss further their concerns and or ideas on how we can work together to improve compliance please do not hesitate to contact MACA's Regional Superintendent in the Sahtu, Mr. Barry Harley at (867) 587-7105. Sincerely, (__I c L-..-if Robert C. McLeod .