Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 25/01) - Construction of a new boat launch at the Giant Mine site could begin this summer if the city assumes liability for possible hazards caused by high concentrations of arsenic in the area.

Yellowknife Mayor Gordon Van Tighem says the federal and territorial governments are changing the original lease agreement on the fly.

In a new twist to the year-long boat-launch saga, federal and territorial government officials told city representatives at a Monday meeting they could build a boat launch before the area is cleaned up if they assumed liability.

"There is minimal risk for use of the area as a boat launch," said Emery Paquin, director of environmental protection services for the territorial government.

However, he added, "I would not recommend using it as a picnic area."

According to some reports the area contains about 3,580 parts per million of arsenic. Other parts of the city fall around 31 ppm.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said the city has to weigh its choices.

"If we put this in we do it at our own risk," he said.

Van Tighem said this latest option comes on the heels of another surprise.

In a move that caught the city off guard, the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and NWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development stated in a letter they will clean up the site to industrial standards only.

The city, DIAND and RWED all refused to release the letter.

Van Tighem said the original lease agreement on the site said the land is for "municipal purposes."

"Therefore the standard inferred is recreational or possibly residential," said Van Tighem.

But Dave Nutter, DIAND's senior adviser for the Giant Mine project, said his department never intended to clean it beyond the industrial standard.

"It's an industrial site and it will be cleaned to industrial standards, if the city wants to use if for something else, it's up to them," said Nutter.

Van Tighem said the federal and territorial governments are changing the original lease agreement on the fly.

"It's starting to change at the point it's supposed to be winding down and it hasn't even started yet," he said.

The city is planning to outline its position in a letter to both governments.

At a council committee meeting on Monday, Coun. Wendy Bisaro said she wants a meeting with politicians from both governments to clear up the issue.

The three parties have agreed to meet in August to discuss the issue further.

The city has been sitting on the lease for about a year, waiting for DIAND and RWED to clean up the site.

But nothing can happen until the Yellowknife Arsenic Soils Remediation Committee comes up with a proposal for rating the arsenic in the soil.

It also has to be approved by the Mackenzie Valley Water Board before before it becomes a legitimate standard.

According to Nutter, a committee comprised of officials from all three levels of government and aboriginal groups will have the proposal ready by this fall.

"After that it's out of our hands," said Nutter.

The board could either accept or deny the proposal.

The city currently leases the land from the territorial government.

The city has set aside $300,000 for the boat launch.