Fort Simpson (Sep 13/04) - Oil producers are keeping a "close eye" on a lawsuit filed by the Deh Cho, which could delay the building of the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline.

However, the producers are not directly involved in the legal dispute, said Hart Searle, spokesperson for the producers group.

"It's a matter between the federal government and the Deh Cho," said Searle.

Meanwhile, the producers are putting the final touches on regulatory applications for the pipeline.

"These reports are several thousand pages long," said Searle.

Deh Cho Grand Chief Herb Norwegian said there will be no pipeline across Deh Cho territory without Deh Cho consent.

The lawsuit, filed Sept. 2, argues the make-up of the joint review panel is unfair.

The joint review panel is overseeing the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline's environmental impact.

The Deh Cho wanted to make two direct appointments to the panel, but existing legislation prohibits direct appointments by the DFN, said Roland Semjanovs, communications officer with the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.

The Inuvialuit Land Claims Agreement allows them to nominate two members to the panel.

Proponents of the current make-up of the panel argue the Inuvialuit representation is fair because the majority of the tie-in work to the three major fields feeding the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline will be done in the Mackenzie Delta.

But the Deh Cho are arguing that 40 per cent of the pipeline passes through Deh Cho territory and they have less representation on the panel than the Inuvialuit.

Deh Cho reaction

Residents in the Deh Cho region are happy the lawsuit was filed, but differ on whether it will make a difference in the end.

"I'm in favour of any litigation as long as we get what we want," said Stan Sanguez of Jean Marie River.

Gabe Hardisty of Wrigley echoed Sanguez' views on the lawsuit.

"The Dene people are right. They've been here longer than anyone else," he said. "We're going to court and stop what's going on until people wake up."

Ernest Cazon of Fort Simpson isn't quite as confident.

"I just think the pipeline is going through anyway," he said.

-- with files from Derek Neary and Jason Unrau