Fort Simpson (Apr 18/03) - If the Mackenzie Valley pipeline becomes a reality, swarms of big trucks will be rumbling through Fort Simpson.

To transport pipe, personnel camps and millions of litres of diesel fuel, the Mackenzie Gas Project will send thousands of truck loads and scores of barge loads to and from Fort Simpson.

That was the word from Arnold Martinson, a physical engineer with Imperial Oil, during a meeting with village council Monday to discuss potential pipeline impacts on Fort Simpson.

All figures are preliminary at this point, but the busiest years are projected to be 2006-2008. Three self-contained 700-1,000 person camps are proposed for Camsell Bend, McGill Station and the Trout Lake/Trainor Lake areas.

Some possible business opportunities for Fort Simpson will include: storage; manufacturing of concrete weights and wooden pipeline skids; a concrete coating plant; supplying equipment; gravel and fluids; and boat, plane and helicopter charters.

Jobs will be created for equipment operators, pipe handlers, traffic controllers, hoteliers, and security and medical personnel.

Demands on Fort Simpson's infrastructure are uncertain at this point, according to Martinson.

Because the camps are designed to be self-sufficient, there may only be a limited need to tap into Fort Simpson's potable water supply and examine waste disposal options.

Reveal the cards

Councillor Duncan Canvin urged the Mackenzie Gas Project to create an impact benefits agreement as soon as possible.

"Everybody wants to read what's in it for them," said Canvin.

"Until you get some of those cards turned over, people are just going to say, 'No.' "

He added that vague opportunities through a competitive bid process are not very enticing.

Joanne Young, manager of community consultations for the Mackenzie Gas Project, replied that Northern and aboriginal content is factored into the competitive bid process. For the most part, local companies also have the advantage of not having to transport equipment North.

"It will be a mixture (of NWT and Southern companies) depending on the work, the work size and the nature of the work," said Young. "Our experience is that yes, Northern companies can be competitive."

She added that an open invitation has been extended to First Nations to discuss benefits but there's been little or no response.

Other comments from Young included:

- Much of the infrastructure that is installed will be temporary unless a local business bids to take it over. She gave cellular phone service as one example.

- Deterioration of territorial highways due to the increasing truck traffic will be discussed with the GNWT while maintenance of Fort Simpson's roads will be negotiated with the municipality.

- Mackenzie Gas Project officials have begun studying socio-economic impacts such as health and social services. Workshops on those issues will be held in Deh Cho communities next year.

- The Mackenzie Gas Project prefers to support education initiatives for youth as opposed to recreational projects.

Mayor Tom Wilson said the entire community wants to benefit from its proximity to the pipeline project.

"Basically I think the mood around the table is, How can we work with you people?" he said.

"We hope to have an ongoing discussion with you."