NNSL (Aug 27/96) - The bright prospect of a new diamond mine dimmed somewhat Friday.

Dogrib leaders asked the NWT Water Board to "adjourn" its consideration of BHP Diamonds' class A water licence application.

Representing the Treaty 11 Council, Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca said they presently lack the resources to participate on the water board's technical advisory committee.

They are concerned about the impacts of the development 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife.

"If we postpone the hearing, it in all probability would shut them (BHP) down," said Gordon Wray, water board chairman. "We're going to have to talk to the board members and see what's going on.

"We'll have to make a decision this week." Earlier this month, the Dene Nation said it was considering blocking roads to the BHP site.

Meanwhile, BHP's current water licence expires in early November.

If the process was delayed, it is unlikely the board could go through all the required steps of reviewing a water licence application before early November, Wray said.

Such a delay could set back the diamond mine’s construction start-up date, said BHP's Karen Azinger .

"If we don't have the permits, we don't have the green light to go ahead with construction," she said.

"We're hoping there's no delay in the review. It's critical for this project."

But the Dogrib argue they want to ensure the impacts of a mine at Lac de Gras are positive and do not affect their traditional lands.

Their letter to the water board listed eight issues they would like to see attached to any class A licence granted on their lands.

The list includes: mitigation and/or compensation for destruction of fisheries; measures to minimize anticipated negative impacts on water use by caribou; and, effective enforcement procedures that include participation by the Dogrib First Nation.

The Dogrib have approached Indian Affairs for funding to participate in the technical review of the water licence application review.

If the money is secured, "we expect to be in a position to participate in a matter of weeks," the letter to the water board states.

Public hearings into BHP's application for a class A water licence are set for Sept. 9 in Yellowknife.

The board scheduled the meetings for that time to give itself two months to review the technical data and public comments on the application, Wray said.