Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

NNSL (July 23/99) - An environmental assessment, done to outline the future effects of the Diavik Diamond Mine, is at best incomplete.

So say Metis and environmental representatives, who add that it seems nobody knows what effects the enormous project will have on the land, water and Northern people.

The public was given 30 days to review the complicated assessment. That month is now over, and various organizations who had the time to go through the enormous report say it is flawed. The Canadian Arctic Resource Committee (CARC) formed a working group of scientists and environmentalists to review the assessment. They are currently preparing a report on their findings.

"It's ridiculous to think the general public could do an effective review of the document in 30 days. It's clear they didn't want the public to adequately review the document," University of Alberta ecology professor David Schindler said.

"We're a group of technical experts and we had a difficult time getting through the comprehensive study report."

Schindler chaired the CARC working group. He said what they expected to find was some conclusions stating the diamond mine was a positive venture that wouldn't have long-term detrimental effects on the environment.

"Instead, what we've seen is a lot of language that when boiled down says: ŚTrust us. We'll monitor and mitigate any adverse affects down the road, but we're not sure what those effects will be,'" Schindler said.

"We want to know what kind of huge beast is going on the land. Nobody has shown what this beast will look like."

In response to the Diavik assessment, North Slave Metis Alliance (NSMA) prepared a 300-page report entitled ŚCan't Live Without Work.' The report contains 80 specific recommendations to properly assess, monitor and mitigate the various impacts of the proposed mine.

Alliance president Clem Paul said because the mine is in the North Slave region, they have a vested interest in ensuring the assessment process is done correctly.

"This mine is on our traditional land so the mine is going to affect us differently than it will Metis from outside of the territory," Paul said.

The alliance response to the Diavik assessment concluded, among other things, that Diavik did not attempt to solicit, document or address their concerns. Also, they found that Diavik's mine will have "significant adverse environmental, social and cultural effects."

"Our way of life and our economy depends on employment and availability of caribou, fish and the continued well-being of these resources," Paul said.

"Diavik's environmental assessment failed the North Slave Metis."

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency spokesperson Gordon Harris said Environment Minister Christine Stewart will be making a decision on the assessment. That decision should be made public within the next couple of weeks.

He added that her conclusions will take into account the public comments received, input from the departments responsible (including DIAND) and the views of the Mackenzie Valley Review Board.

Diavik's designated spokesperson Tom Hoeft was unavailable for comment.