Fort Simpson (July 18/03) - Ken Lambert has a pile of letters but no answers.

He's expressed his concerns about flooding on his Deneyoua Drive lot to the Department of Transportation (DoT), Municipal and Community Affairs and the Village of Fort Simpson.

The problem, according to Lambert, is that the road in front of his home has increased in height by nearly two feet over the past eight years. It grew eight inches in April alone when more layers of gravel were added by Transportation's contractor.

Due to past flooding on his lot, he couldn't get a water truck to make a delivery for a month. He's expecting things will get much worse next year.

"If nothing is done my house is essentially going to float off its foundation," Lambert predicted.

He noted that he pays taxes and lease fees but no level of government is willing to help him.

"Basically they're all sitting around pointing fingers at each other and I'm not being served," he said.

Gerald Perron, acting superintendent of the Transportation, confirmed that Deneyoua Drive is not the department's responsibility.

Approached by the Drum, Mayor Tom Wilson said that the village just assumed responsibility for Deneyoua Drive a few weeks ago. It previously fell under the Transportation's authority, he acknowledged. Asked why it was transferred, Wilson replied, "could be funding (reasons), I don't know."

The village is currently looking into acquiring the services of an engineer on a casual basis. If hired, the engineer could examine Lambert's parcel of land and bring recommendations to council, Wilson said.

"We're not promising anything," he said, adding that Lambert's lot was in a low-lying area susceptible to flooding when he bought it.

Lambert warned he may file a civil suit if flooding results in structural damage to his house next spring.