Yellowknife (June 27/03) - The city could be on the hook for up to $1 million if someone is seriously injured at the dump.

"This means we have to be a little more careful with how we manage our risk in places like the dump," said Robert Charpentier, director of the city finance department.

Charpentier said the city's insurance set up has them liable for the first $1 million of any claim.

The possibility of closing the dump to the public because of this insurance risk has been a worry for many people who salvage there.

Greg Kehoe, city public works director said there are no current plans to close the dump.

"We're not looking at closing the facility, but limiting the open access to garbage," said Kehoe.

Kehoe and city environmental co-ordinator Katherine Silcock said while the insurance risk is a worry, public safety is their number one reason for limiting dump access.

"Our biggest issue with public safety is the heavy machinery," said Silcock. "Where people are currently salvaging is the active working face of the landfill."

Last Sunday, salvager Harold Barnaby said he thinks the city should just put up a sign saying "enter at your own risk," to deal with the city's liability issues.

But Silcock said "not only could someone get killed, but the person who does it will have to live with that for the rest of their lives, and we don't want that."

The city plans to create a separate area where salvageable materials can be placed and to limit access to the general dump area.

"We're trying to reduce the safety concerns and at the same time we're trying to keep the tradition alive for people to reuse items," said Silcock.

But many Sunday salvagers felt people who don't separate recyclables from their garbage, won't place reusable materials in a separate spot.

"I think it is pretty narrow-minded. People won't end up putting their stuff in the salvaging area," said Ryan Silke.

Silcock admits items that are not placed in the salvaging area will be missed.

"Certainly some things will get lost -- we can not deny that," said Silcock.

Kehoe said their is no date set to begin dump restrictions. The city is hiring another attendant on a trial basis to help direct the weekend rush.

"We invite public feedback," Kehoe said.