Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Apr 17/02) - One way or another, the Char River Bridge will be fixed this summer, says Rankin Inlet's senior administrative officer.

Ron Roach was taken by surprise this past fall when approached by a fisheries and wildlife officer.

At the time, the hamlet had the boating dock located at Johnston Cove.

Fisherman started complaining when their boats were scraping on rocks at low tide due to ice piling up.

A front-end loader was sent to level the rocks. The work was done at low tide and the loader's wheels were in the water.

Roach says the officer informed the hamlet the area was classed as fish habitat and if he saw them there again, charges could be laid.

"He also said he noticed there was gravel placed on the culvert at the Char River Bridge on the way to Landing Lake," says Roach.

"He said we could no longer do work like that unless we applied for the proper paperwork and licence through the Nunavut Water Board."

The Char River Bridge, five kilometres outside of Rankin, washes out every spring.

The bridge is a lifeline to the community during spring and summer months.

Roach says the hamlet purchased a large culvert with help from the Department of Public Works and Community Government and Transportation.

The culvert measures 4.26 metres wide by 3.65 metres high and is engineered to support the weight of heavy equipment.

The hamlet plans to have it assembled and installed this coming fall.

Roach says the bridge may no longer wash out once the work is completed.

"We'll definitely have the paperwork done by the fall, but the concern right now is -- if the paperwork's not done in two months, is Fisheries and Oceans Canada going to stop us from fixing that bridge?" he asks.

"If they are, you're going to have a major problem with the community."

With no bridge in place at Char River, access is blocked to the local hunting grounds, gravel pit, and Meliadine Park.

"That bridge has to be ready for the spring and summer, regardless of the wishes of Fisheries and Oceans. We hope it doesn't come to that point, but that road will be accessible this summer."