Fort Simpson (Sep 03/04) - Imperial Oil is trying to clear several hurdles to finally undertake preliminary pipeline work in the Deh Cho this winter, a project that's been pitched since 2002.

The proposed geo-technical program -- which involves soil analysis, creek sampling and geological surveys -- was referred to environmental assessment in February due to concerns cited by First Nations in the Deh Cho.

Hart Searle, spokesperson for Imperial Oil, said his company is still responding to additional requests for information from the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board.

He noted over the past few winter seasons, Imperial Oil received permits to carry out the same or similar projects in the Inuvialuit, Gwich'in and Sahtu regions without an environmental assessment.

Keyna Norwegian, chief of the Liidlii Kue First Nation in Fort Simpson, said it was unacceptable for Imperial Oil to have awarded the Deh Cho geo-technical project's most lucrative contract to Hay River companies.

"Of course we had an issue with that," Norwegian said. "It just shows that they're going to try to come in here and bypass us. Of course we took a political stance, mainly because of the way they operated, so we were fortunate to postpone the winter work."

Imperial Oil is putting the $10 million-worth of contracts up for bids again this year.

Can't promise

Searle, who noted that Deh Cho communities along the pipeline corridor conditionally secured the majority of contracts last year, would not promise that those communities will be successful in securing all the contracts.

"I don't think we can really answer that until we see what bids come back," he said. "I think it's a bit premature to speak to that."

Pehdzeh Ki Chief Tim Lennie is adamant that Wrigley's economic demands must be met for the winter geo-technical program to proceed.

"If we don't receive the majority of the benefits we want to get through this project, it will be a no show," Lennie warned.

"As you well know, the highway comes right dead centre through the community. If push comes to shove, this is where they're going to show up this winter. This is where the action is going to be."

Lennie said he's confident that dialogue with government and industry will prove fruitful.

He added that his community continues to meet with Imperial Oil officials in an attempt to define access and benefits agreements.