Yellowknife (Dec 06/06) - Ensuring future gas development in the North is measured and that it respects the environment and the interests of Northerners are Western Arctic MP Dennis Bevington's top concerns in his list of recommendations to the Joint Review Panel (JRP) on the Mackenzie Gas project.

On Thursday, Bevington invited media to his constituency office to explain his concerns and recommendations that will be presented to the panel on Dec. 5 in Yellowknife.

"If Canada needs our gas, what the NWT needs is a fair deal from Canada," he said.

Referring to what has been categorized as a "basin opening" project, Bevington wants development of the gas industry to respect the environment, and wants it to be done at a reasonable pace. He highlighted the importance of safeguarding protected areas and the pristine northern environment.

"With this project we're opening up 1,200 kilometres of a gas-laden valley for development," said Bevington. "Let's take it one step at a time."

As well, Bevington urged the JRP to recommend that any pipeline construction be preceded by construction of an all-weather road through the valley. He asked why the GNWT has not made its much-touted completion of the Mackenzie Highway a prerequisite for building the pipeline.

"Is the construction of this project in the public interest?" said Bevington. "The road, let's build it before the pipeline. That's abundantly clear."