Fort Liard (Jun 09/06) - Dehcho leadership approved the Dehcho Land Use Plan in principle at the spring leadership meeting - despite concerns the level of conservation will hinder government approval.

The plan was approved on May 31 on the condition that changes requested by Pehdzeh Ki First Nations be made.

At the meeting, Chief Gabe Hardisty presented letters putting forward three conditions, including changing six pockets of general use areas into special management zones where oil and gas and mining are restricted.

Before the Wrigley changes were made, under the plan approximately 65 per cent of the land in the Deh Cho contained restrictions for oil and gas development and mining. With the changes, the amount has increased to 69 per cent, said Heidi Wiebe, executive director of the Dehcho Land Use Planning Committee.

During the last two rounds of talk, Wiebe said government officials have expressed their preference for reduced overall conservation and special management levels.

"It certainly is an ongoing concern, but we will see what Canada and the GNWT will do with it," she said.

During the leadership meeting, Wiebe told the gathered leaders that even if the federal government does not approve the plan, it sends out a message to other regulatory authorities about what the Deh Cho is willing to accept.

Adrian Boyd, the government of Canada representative on the planning committee, confirmed at the meeting that the government of the NWT government and Ottawa feel the plan has too much conservation and special management.

"It's safe to assume that Canada and the GNWT are anxious to see less special management zones," Boyd said.

Despite these concerns, Dehcho leaders voiced their willingness to press forward with the plan.

"My instinct tells me we should just pass it and go ahead with it," said Chief Roy Fabian of the K'atlodeeche First Nation.

Fabian said he feels the federal government will tell them to change the plan.

Rick Lafferty, who was representing the Fort Providence Metis, agreed that the people in the Deh Cho have to set their own levels without worrying about whether or not the federal government or the GNWT likes it. "The plan is for us," Lafferty said.

Wiebe said the changes asked for by Wrigley have now been integrated so if everything goes smoothly, the plan will be released publicly by the end of the week. This release will include sending copies of the plan to both the federal and the territorial government.

Dehcho First Nations is expected to formally ratify the plan at the Kakisa Assembly at the end of June.