Fort Simpson (Apr 08/05) - The Deh Cho has gained two positions from the splitting of the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, which took effect April 1.

New will be a superintendent's position for the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI). Gerd Fricke is the acting superintendent until the position is filled.

Paul Kraft, former superintendent of RWED, is heading up the Deh Cho branch of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR).

Also thrown into to the mix will be an additional clerk employed through "shared services," which comprises administrative staff serving both new departments.

Several other vacancies remain, but some will be filled within the next few weeks, according to Kraft.

Joseph Nayally was recently brought on as the regional petroleum advisor and Mike Watson has taken over as business loans officer.

The departments will still require seasonal and casual staff as well, Kraft noted.

Other than some "relatively minor" administrative questions, the transition has been seamless so far, Kraft said.

"For the day-to-day interactions that we've always had, I don't think people are going to notice a difference," he said, adding that the departments' mandates have been separated but they haven't changed.

No programs have been added or taken away, Fricke noted.

RWED was divided because Minister Brendan Bell felt the perceived conflict between environmental protection and industrial development needed to be addressed.

One Fort Simpson staff member, speaking anonymously, said the biggest changes have come for those in finance and administrative positions.

"They are now shared... kind of an outside entity having to deal with a couple of things," said the source.

Otherwise, the staff member confirmed that it's been "business as usual" for most employees since the split.

"I think probably the feeling is that it was a good thing to do," the source said.

One of the biggest challenges will be where to put the two new employees in what is already cramped working quarters, the staff member suggested.

Office space in the building off Mackenzie Drive, which remains home to both departments, is getting "tight," Kraft admitted.

"We're asking this building to do a lot," he said. "We'll make it work and see what we can do."