In July 1997, the governments Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Yukon entered into the Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Master Agreement. The agreement commits the six governments to work together closely to create a cooperative forum to inform about and advocate for the maintenance of the ecological integrity of the entire Mackenzie River watershed.

The agreement is founded on four guiding principles for cooperative management:

1. Equitable Utilization
2. Prior Consultation
3. Sustainable Development
4. Maintenance of Ecological Integrity

The Mackenzie River Basin Board was established to implement the agreement. The board has 13 members, three representing the Federal Government and 10 representing the provinces & territories. One member from each of the provinces & territories represents Aboriginal organizations.

The Board is not a regulatory or licensing board, and has no legal or policy basis to regulate resources used in any of the jurisdictions. However, the Board may influence regulatory decisions made in the jurisdictions in a number of ways:

• Providing factual material, such as the State of the Aquatic Ecosystem Reports, to inform development decision makers.
• Participating in and influencing pre or post regulatory processes, such as planning, regional or cumulative environmental impact assessment processes, or ministerial reviews of sensitive decisions.
• Appearing as a "friend of the tribunal" in federal, provincial and territorial public hearings to advocate for the principles endorsed in the Master Agreement. The Agreement commits the parties to the following principles in carrying out their responsibilities in the Basin:
• Managing the water resources in a manner consistent with the maintenance of the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem.
• Managing the use of the water resources in a sustainable manner for present and future generations.
• Allowing each party to the Agreement to use or manage the use of water resources within its jurisdiction provided such does no unreasonable harm to the ecological integrity for the aquatic ecosystem in another jurisdiction.
• Providing for early and effective consultation, notification and sharing of information on developments and activities that might affect the ecological integrity of the aquatic ecosystem in another jurisdiction.

According to the Agreement the Board's key responsibilities are to:

• Provide a forum for communication, coordination, information exchange, notification and consultation among all six jurisdictions and the public
• Considering the needs and concerns of Aboriginal people through,
• The provision of culturally appropriate communication, and
• The incorporation of their traditional knowledge and values.
• Recommend uniform objectives or guidelines for the quality and quantity of the water resources
• Encourage consistent monitoring programs
• Monitor the progress of implementing the bilateral water management agreements between neighbouring jurisdictions
• Reviewing the Master Agreement at least once every three years and proposing amendments to the Parties.
• Submit a report on the state of the aquatic ecosystem by 2003 to the federal, provincial and territorial Ministers and;
• Carry out studies and investigations, as required.

The agreement allows neighbouring jurisdictions to negotiate bilateral water management agreements to address water issues at jurisdictional boundaries on transboundary streams and to provide parameters on the quality, quantity and flow of water.

Further information about the Board can be found on the Mackenzie River Basin Board website.