DEH CHO - An expanded Nahanni National Park Reserve is a step closer to becoming a reality.

On Dec. 12 the Nahanni Expansion Working Group presented a report and a boundary recommendation to both Grand Chief Herb Norwegian of the Dehcho First Nations (DFN) and Alan Latourelle, chief executive officer of Parks Canada.

A boundary recommendation for the Nahanni National Park Reserve has been made, concluding four years of work by the Nahanni Expansion Working Group. - NNSL file photo

Parks Canada can't discuss the exact boundary that was recommended, said Doug Stewart, director general of national parks for Parks Canada.

"I'm not at liberty to discuss the details of the recommendation," said Stewart.

More information will be released after the two parties have had time to review the recommendation and make decisions, Stewart said.

The report and recommendation cap four years of work by the Nahanni Expansion Working Group, which was created when DFN and the minister responsible for Parks Canada signed a memorandum of understanding respecting park expansion in 2003. In 2004 both parties each appointed two people to the working group.

Following the recommendation, the next step is for the respective parties, both the government of Canada and DFN, to individually follow whatever process they feel is necessary to come to a decision regarding the boundary. At the meeting on Dec. 12 both parties said they would have to consider the report and the recommendation, said Stewart.

Representatives for the Dehcho First Nations were unable to say by press time what process they will be following.

In the case of Parks Canada, various departments in the government that have an interest in the park will have to be consulted, said Stewart.

No dates have been set for when the two parties will meet again.

"It's a little bit difficult to put any sort of firm timeline on it," he said.

In light of the announcement on the expansion made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he visited Fort Simpson in the summer, Stewart said the government does have a strong interest in making a decision on the matter.

"We'll have to see exactly how long that takes," he said.

Once both parties have reached an internal agreement there's no prescribed process to follow regarding how the boundary will be officially changed, Stewart said.

The idea of expanding the Nahanni National Park Reserve has been active almost since the founding of the park in the 1970's, Stewart said. Park expansion has been looked at as a way to better represent the natural region and also to provide a better basis for ecosystem management.

The current park reserve covers 4,766 square-kilometres. A total of approximately 28,000 square-kilometres of the Greater Nahanni Ecosystem are under interim protection.

"From Parks Canada's point of view we're looking very eagerly towards the conclusion of this and hoping that the parties will in fact be able to agree on an expanded park boundary," said Stewart.