Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Jun 08/01) - A biophysical survey and a heritage survey are being planned for the Mackenzie Delta this summer.
A small crowd turned out at a community meeting last week at Ingamo Hall to hear about the proposed studies. (Meetings were also held in Tuktoyaktuk and Aklavik.)
If approved, the surveys will be conducted by Inuvialuit Environmental and Geotechnical Inc. IEG has been commissioned by AEC Oil and Gas, Anderson Resources Ltd., Chevron Canada Resources, Petro-Canada, Anadarko, and Shell Canada Ltd.
The fieldwork will be conducted on lands held up the operators within their respective exploration licences. These licences include both Crown and Inuvialuit 7(1)(b) lands.
Mike Muller, Northern manager with IEG, explained the vegetation study will begin with an examination of satellite imagery of the area.
Then field workers will visit sites via helicopter to match colours on the satellite imagery with types of vegetation.
Muller said that this will lead to a better understanding of the types of vegetation all over the Delta. He said the helicopter will fly at least 400 metres above the ground so as to cause as little disturbance as possible to animals or people on the ground.
While checking vegetation, researchers will also check for evidence of animals. A songbird survey will also be done.
Each survey team will consist of four members, with at least one Inuvialuit member on each team as a wildlife monitor.
Researchers will also conduct a waterfowl survey by flying quickly and low over shores. Muller explained this creates minimal disruption to the birds.
The purpose of the biophysical survey is to assist in predicting the impact of proposed development, and to help protect the traditional ways of life of local people.
"We're trying to get a better idea of what's out there," Muller said.
Don Hanna, senior archaelogist with Bison Historical Services Ltd., spoke on the Heritage Resource Survey.
Hanna explained the goal of this survey is to help make sure heritage and cultural sites are avoided and not damaged by oil and gas exploration and development.
"We're helping them get better information about the sites that are out there, and also better information about the sites that might be out there that nobody knows about," Hanna said.
He said the first phase is to examine studies already done in the area. He said the sites considered most at risk will be visited.
Hanna said many of these sites are large, so the perimeter of sites will be pinpointed.
Hanna stressed the goal is not to excavate artifacts.
At least one Inuvialuit community member will be involved with the field team.
Hunters and trappers committees in Aklavik, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk will be notified regularly of the location of the archaeological survey crew.
