Yellowknife (Feb 11/04) - Even though the original complaint against the development of the Deh Cho Bridge has been withdrawn, the environmental assessment of the project is still going ahead.

"We never anticipated ours would be the only intervention. It's based strictly on economic and financial grounds. We were surprised and thought we would be part of a larger environmental review of the bridge," said Mike Vaydik, general manager for the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

The environmental process is still engaged.

"We have to get on with it as quickly and as efficiently as possible," said Albert Lafferty, chief operating officer for the Deh Cho Bridge Corporation.

"As far we know, it's still a referral and they have to proceed accordingly," said Lafferty.

Vaydik argued the assessment does not have to continue.

"We've written a follow up letter to clarify that we feel that it's not in the public interest to continue," said Vaydik.

It's a far cry from what Vaydik said a few weeks ago.

Some industrial users are unhappy they may have to pay a toll to cross the proposed Mackenzie River bridge, he said.

"Mines compete on the international marketplace and bear the brunt of the marketplace. Others can pass it on. If you're operating the corner store you simply increase the price of groceries and if you operate a gas station you increase the price of gas," Vaydik said a few weeks ago.

But "once a referral is made under the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Resource Management Act, we don't have a choice," said Vern Christensen, executive director for MVEIRB.

Roland Semjanovs confirmed MVEIRB is still going ahead with the review.

"Until we get a legal opinion that says otherwise," he said.