Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 07/04) - Just a month after angry residents discovered the driver of SUV trying to blaze himself a path through the Willow Flats nature reserve, they were awakened, Sunday, to find another had attempted the same thing.

A red GMC truck was found abandoned and hopelessly stuck about 20 meters down a walking trail at the end of Lundquist Road.

It took a tow truck to pull the vehicle out.

"It happens about twice a year," said Kerry Egan, who lives on Lundquist.

"It's amazing because there's a road five seconds away to get out onto the ice."

Egan wrote a letter to Yellowknifer when a black SUV tried to drive through the narrow trail at the end of February.

She had hoped her letter would remind drivers that Willow Flats is an ecologically sensitive area, but feels discouraged now.

"The last guy didn't get charged, so we'll see what happens this time."

She wants the city to put up a sign warning drivers to stay out of the marsh.

Manager of municipal enforcement Doug Gillard, said they're investigating the incident.

"At this point, we don't even know if it was stolen or not," said Gillard of the wayward truck.

He said someone driving into the Willow Flats could be charged with operating a vehicle in a designated restricted area, and fined up to $2,000.

He said the driver of the SUV last February was not charged because they were told he was a "visitor to Canada."

They are reconsidering the case, however.

"We've had new information that the person is actually a resident," said Gillard.

Anne Gunn, whose home faces Willow Flats, said the marsh provides important habitat for wildlife living within city limits, including ptarmigan, voles, muskrats and migrating waterfowl.

"It's (the marsh) worth looking after, but it's susceptible to thoughtless behaviour," said Gunn.

"Just because you think you can drive everywhere doesn't mean you should."