Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 15/02) - An environmental watchdog group says a regulatory void in the NWT has prompted them to carry out a study on Northern mining activities themselves.

The Canadian Arctic Resources Council will conduct a cumulative effects study over the next four years. Their goal is to provide communities within the Slave Geological Province -- a region stretching from Great Slave Lake to the Coronation Gulf -- with information they can use to decide whether or not they want future development projects in their area.

"We understand that economic growth is necessary to create jobs for this generation," said CARC program director Shelagh Montgomery.

"But we must develop the North wisely, in a way that does not threaten the environment -- the source of life -- for the next generation."

As part of the approval process set for Diavik Diamond Mine in 1999, Environment Minister David Anderson launched a management plan for controlling and measuring the long-term effects from mining within the Slave Geological Province.

However, the plan has yet to be implemented. Montgomery said without one, sensitive species, such as the Barrenlands caribou, may be in danger unless a better understanding of the cumulative effects of mining activity within their habitat is found.

"With all the development currently under way, and the resource interests within the Slave Geological Province, if all these projects (go ahead) there could be an immediate effect on the Bathurst caribou herd, which is obviously very important to the people of the territories as well as Nunavut," said Montgomery.

CARC expects their study to cost around $1 million. The money will be raised though regular donations and foundation grants matched by an agreement CARC reached with Diavik two years ago up to $400,000.

The study will utilize both scientific and traditional knowledge of the region and its wildlife from hunters and elders. They hope to get as many communities within the region involved as possible.

A pilot project is already under way with the Land, Water, and Wildlife Committee of Lutsel K'e. They have been studying fish, wildlife, and socio-economic impacts of local development for several years.

Tracey Williams, a fish habitat project co-ordinator with the committee, said it's important that Northern communities have a say on mining development projects within their region -- particularly those with close ties to the land.

"It comes down to 'we put the limits on to what we do,'" said Williams,

"In the end, whatever occurs will be a reflection on a civil society that chooses to go about making choices, and as long as it (a cumulative effects study) doesn't get too complicated... we'll be ok."