Thorunn Howatt
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Mar 11/02) - The first round of community-based pipeline talks begin in the Sahtu region's community of Tulita on March 18.

Public community consultation meetings for a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline were set up by the Mackenzie Delta Producers Group, made up of oil companies Shell, Conoco, ExxonMobil and Imperial Oil.

Along with the Mackenzie Valley Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation, the producers group wants to build a pipeline to carry Mackenzie Delta natural gas southward following a route close to the Mackenzie Valley.

Some people in the Sahtu region aren't on board with the proposal though.

The Ernie McDonald Land Corporation covers the area between the district of Tulita and the Gotchoini District. It is signed on with an alternative proposal.

The Mackenzie Delta Producers Group and Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation expect to file applications by mid-2003. It will hold public meetings until and after that. On March 19 the meetings will move to Colville Lake and Norman Wells. Deline meetings will be March 20, Fort Good Hope March 21.

People will have the chance to ask about the Mackenzie Valley pipeline project and decide how information will be shared. The community presentations will include maps and job and business opportunities.

The Aboriginal Pipeline Corporation has some representation from each of the territorial regions. It is proposing a one-third share in the pipeline.