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TTHEK'EHDELI/JEAN MARIE RIVER - A remediation project on an old highway construction camp has started near Checkpoint.

On Sept. 2 Nogha Enterprises Ltd. began mobilizing heavy equipment to a former highway camp operated by the territorial government.

The company is the lead contractor on the project that's expected to last between three to four weeks and cost close to $400,000.

Located on Highway 7 approximately one kilometre from the junction at Checkpoint, the camp was used from 1982 to around 1986, said Gilbert Cazon, acting general manager for Nogha.

The camp served as a base for operations while construction was done on the highways to Fort Liard, Fort Simpson and the winter road to Trout Lake.

The camp included residential crew trailers, an equipment shop, refuelling station and lots of heavy equipment, said Cazon.

When the camp was closed, a number of items were left buried on site including empty fuel tanks, a cesspit tank and a spill catcher that was under the garage.

Some batteries and fuel drums are also suspected to be underground.

"There could be anything in there. What's buried is unknown," Cazon said.

The site has been a source of long-standing concern for the community of Jean Marie River, said Tammy Neal, the band manager.

Community members have been concerned about the effect on animals as well as fish and drinking water in the Jean Marie River that flows near the site.

"They want to be assured there's nothing coming from that camp that can hurt their livelihood," said Cazon.

The camp was designated under the Contaminants and Remediation Directorate (CARD).

The federal government is funding the cleanup.

This is the largest remediation project Nogha has handled. It's also the first project that Nogha has done in co-operation with another First Nation.

Because the project is on Jean Marie River's traditional territory it's only proper they be part of the process, said Cazon.

As a sub-contractor, the band will be supplying some heavy equipment, operators and an environmental monitor.

During the project, Nogha hopes to build a good working relationship with the band so they can co-operate on future projects, Cazon said.

The remediation will also be used as a training exercise.

Workers with Class 3 licences who haven't had much hands-on experience using dump trucks will train beside experienced operators.

"We're going to kill three or four birds with this one," said Cazon about the project.

The remediation will include removing the buried items and aerating the surrounding soil to remove any spilled gas or diesel fuel.

"We're going to get try to get everything we can out of there so Jean Marie is pleased with it," said Cazon.