Fort Simpson (Dec 05/03) - One of the first signs of industrial development related to a proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline is spurring debate among village councillors and residents.

At Monday's meeting, council passed the second reading of an amended bylaw that would allow camps and bunkhouses to be placed on industrial zoned lots at council's discretion. With ministerial approval and a third reading, the change will become official.

There are already three applications before council for camps within municipal boundaries. Imperial Oil, interested in carrying out geo-technical field work this winter, made a request to set up a 65-person camp alongside the highway, near Wild Rose Acres. Council rejected the application on Monday because the selected site is not zoned as industrial.

In addition, Coun. Norm Prevost noted that Imperial Oil is not proposing to use the village's sewage disposal service, buy village water or purchase power from the NWT Power Corporation, but use a generator instead.

Using local power would help lower rates for all consumers, Prevost contended. He also noted that the site is not appropriate because the village is considering it for a future cemetery.

Lyall Gill, representing Kaa Dule United Corporation -- an organization formed by several aboriginal groups in the Deh Cho -- was present to promote a separate 25-person camp that his outfit wants to locate across the highway from K&K Expediting, a few kilometres from Fort Simpson proper. Gill said the camp would be "high end," with self-contained bathrooms in each room and Internet service. Oil and gas administrative staff would be the target clientele, but rooms could also be rented to the public, he noted.

"We believe this town will not have enough rooms this winter," he said of existing accommodations. He added that meals from the camp's kitchen would also be sold to local residents and travellers.

Deputy Mayor Dennis Nelner said Kaa Dule's interest in setting up a camp was all the more reason to deny Imperial Oil's application because the giant oil and gas company would be in direct competition.

Crew trailer

Council also has an application from Great Slave Helicopters to keep a crew trailer on its premises.

Nelner and Prevost agreed that the village needs a general plan to outline where camps can and cannot be placed. "The demands on our municipality are just going to keep growing and growing," said Nelner.

Earlier in the evening, resident Candy Brown expressed social and safety concerns about having camps located within the community. The increase in traffic would not only deteriorate local roads but would endanger kids walking or biking at roadsides, she warned.

Coun. Betty Hardisty, one of two councillors to vote against the second reading of the amended bylaw, said she would prefer that all camps are situated outside municipal boundaries to avoid social problems.