Jack Danylchuk
Northern News Services
Fort Smith (May 28/01) - Despite vigorous objections from Mikisew Cree First Nation, Parks Canada has approved a winter road between Peace Point and Garden River in Wood Buffalo National Park.
The road will link Fort Smith with the Northern Alberta communities of Fort Chipewyan, Fort Vermillion and Garden River.
Cost of re-opening the road falls to the Thebacha Road Society, according to the Parks Canada announcement.
George Poitras, chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, said he remains "opposed to the initiative in its entirety" and cited as reasons "habitat disruption and environmental destruction.
Josie Weninger, field superintendent for the park, said that "with mitigation, no significant environmental impacts will result," but stressed that the approval is for a winter road only.
"Parks Canada is not prepared to consider an all-weather road proposal," Weninger said.
Heavily promoted by Fort Smith mayor Peter Martselos who is president of the Thebacha Road Society, the winter road passes by the first nation's Peace Point reserve.
