Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 24/99) - Concerned members of the public are invited to comment on proposed changes to waterfront leases, but don't expect the federal government to notify you when changes are requested, say anything about what changes are being requested or talk about the terms of existing leases.

The paradox of private leases for public land was highlighted during a discussion last week of changes a landowner is proposing for a Back Bay waterfront property.

Property owner Vaughn del Valle told the Back Bay Community Association his lease with the federal government was a private matter. Members of the association opposed his application to extend the term of the lease, extend leased shoreline in front of his property 30 metres out into the Bay.

Members of the association argued the public in general and Back Bay community in particular has an interest in the waterfront.

The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, which is responsible for administering leases, says del Valle is right and the association is wrong.

"Leases are private to the leasee," said DIAND lands officer Michael Roesch. "I won't show you anything in the file."

That lack of disclosure flies in the face of the premise of the city's waterfront management study, that the waterfront is a resource the people in Frame Lake South are as entitled to enjoy as much as those who, like del Valle, live near the lake.

According to DIAND, applications to amend existing leases are subject to a 30-day consultation period, mainly to address any environmental concerns the application may raise.

Applications are sent to a lands advisory committee which consists of expert agencies such as the city, Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, RWED, the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, aboriginal organizations and "communities that may be affected by the proposal."

Yet Back Bay Community Association president Nick Lawson said DIAND never solicited any of members of the Back Bay community for their input on del Valle's application to extend the term of his lease and extend the shore line in front of his property.

"The way we found out about it first was at city hall," said Price. "I happened to be watching the debate on TV when it came up."

The association recently passed a motion calling for it to be notified of any applications to change the terms of federal leases in the area.