THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
Opposition in Fort Smith to any future industrial development on the Slave River - such as a hydroelectric project just south of the NWT-Alberta border - has been summarized in a new document.
Jessica Cox, chair of the Fort Smith recreation advisory board, holds a copy of the new Slave River Rapids Declaration. - Paul Bickford/NNSL photo |
"It was important to us to get it down in writing because it's not in writing anywhere else," said Jessica Cox, chair of the Town of Fort Smith's recreation advisory board which prepared the Slave River Rapids Declaration.
Without that, potential developers could say there is no real opposition in Fort Smith, she said. "We just want it known that there is opposition in the community."
The declaration from the recreation advisory board outlines what it sees as the value of the rapids to recreation in and around the community.
The document states the Slave River and its rapids should be protected in their natural state "in perpetuity" for all people to enjoy. Among the areas features, it lists world-class whitewater canoeing, kayaking and rafting, as well as hiking, sandy beaches and a white pelican colony.
Prior to releasing the declaration, the board discussed whether its mandate includes taking a position on the possible industrialization of the river.
"We came to the conclusion that while the town and recreation advisory board may not have any official jurisdiction over what happens to the river, it was certainly within our rec board's mandate to take a position on it and put it in writing so that it is recorded in writing somewhere that there is opposition to a potential hydro development on the Slave River," Cox said.
She noted the board's mandate includes promoting recreational activities, and several organizations in the community use the river as a venue for activities.
The declaration will be presented to Fort Smith town council at a committee of the whole meeting on May 14.
"We'd like to see the town acknowledge it and for it to initiate some discussion," said Cox.
The declaration will be accompanied by a petition, which states in the preamble that the Slave River and its four sets of rapids - Cassette, Pelican, Mountain and Rapids of the Drowned - are a spectacular natural feature and should be protected.
It also calls upon Fort Smith's mayor and council to oppose any industrial development of the Slave River and its rapids.
As of the middle of last week, the petition contained 42 signatures.
Mayor Brad Brake declined to comment on the declaration and petition.
"It hasn't been formally presented to us," he said, adding he will reserve comment until he has had a chance to discuss it with council.
The idea for a hydro dam on the Slave River goes back decades and has re-emerged every now and then.
Late last year, representatives from ATCO Power and Trans-Canada Corporation - two companies that have been considering the project since 2006 - met with the
Alberta government's standing committee on resource stewardship to present their plans for the renewable energy project.
In 2010, Smith's Landing First Nation rejected the idea of a feasibility study on the proposed project. Smith's Landing has reserve land in the area and some of it would have been flooded by the project.
"The recreation advisory board supports Smith's Landing in its opposition to the project," Cox said.
"The declaration puts into writing the fact that Smith's Landing is not alone
in its opposition to a potential hydro project on the Slave River."
