Aklavik (Jul 03/06) - Damage caused by the recent flood in Aklavikis more extensive than a government contracted appraisal suggests, according to Hamlet Mayor Knute Hansen.

"Right after the flood and state of emergency ended the assessor came in and estimated $192 000 in damages for everything which is totally ludicrous," said Hansen. After calling a special meeting for June 23, it was decided that a letter be sent to Municipal and Community Affairs Minister Michael McLeod, which stated the hamlet would do its own appraisal if MACA did not adjust its figure.

"We'll wait to see how the government responds but there's just two months of summer," Hansen noted.

On top of the issue of damaged roads, the mayor says that several septic tanks at private residences have started to heave from the ground.

Territorial emergency management coordinator for MACA Eric Bussey acknowledges the minister has received the letter and adds the damage assessment was to get an idea of what the government was dealing with.

"That was just an initial review to allow us to have a preliminary scope of the damage," Bussey said, adding there could be further damage assessments if deemed necessary. When asked for a timeline on when residents and the hamlet could expect financial redress, Bussey was not able to say.

The flood, caused by a back up in the river during spring thaw, left most of the roads in Aklavik underwater May 26, forcing the evacuation of 316 residents and Hansen to declare a state of emergency.