Erin Fletcher
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 05/04) - Beaufort Delta communities are experiencing consultation burn out, Tsiigehtchic chief Peter Ross told the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board during its public scoping session in Inuvik, March 30.

"We're in danger of participation drop-off because of too many hearings," said Ross, who was also speaking on behalf of the Gwich'in Tribal Council.

"We have to guard against this because community input at the main meetings will be important. Our plates are over-filled and we need better resource people to help us."

"You can only go to people so many times before we're fed up with giving the same questions and getting the same answers," said Inuvik resident Liz Hansen.

Ross and Hansen were two of more than 30 community members and local environmental professionals who attended the first half of the public consultation at the Midnight Sun Recreation Complex in Inuvik, March 30.

The "scoping session" is part of the environmental assessment the board is presently compiling.

Community members were invited to ask questions and air concerns about the pipeline and it's impact on the socio-economic and environmental conditions of the region to the board and representatives of the Mackenzie Gas Project.

The board will use the scoping sessions to identify key issues of concern they wish to have addressed by industry before the project proceeds.

Mackenzie Delta communities are already facing "grave socio-economic concerns" and fear these will only get worse when the pipeline comes up the river.

"We need to prepare for the boom/bust cycle," said Ross.

"We need to minimize the boom cycle pressures on other services. Even now there aren't enough teachers and nurses in our communities."

Concerns about noise from compressor stations, women's issues, the types of grass seeds to be used on the pipeline right of ways and the reclamation process were also aired during the afternoon session.

A similar meeting was held in Norman Wells in early March. A third session will be held in Fort Simpson, April 14-16 at the community centre.

After the final meeting, the board will review the input before making a decision on May 7 to either refer the project to a joint review panel or proceed with the assessment themselves.

The deadline for written comments is April 16.