HAY RIVER
An important first step has been taken that may eventually lead to dredging of the harbour in Hay River.

A workshop - the first of its kind - was held last week in Hay River to develop a long-term strategy for dredging.

Government, industry representatives and others met on April 12 and 13 to discuss an efficient and effective strategy to meet the challenges posed by continuous sediment accumulation in the harbour.

The gathering - officially called the Hay River Harbour Restoration Workshop - was organized by the Department of Transportation.

Greg Whitlock, the department's regional superintendent, said participants agreed to develop a long-term harbour management strategy and create a working group to be chaired by the Hay River Harbour Authority.

"This was the first time that there was ever a meeting that was specifically focused on the harbour of Hay River," he said.

The working group will include representatives of the territorial and federal governments, the Town of Hay River, aboriginal governments, the NWT Fishermen's Federation and industry representatives from businesses such as the Northern Transportation Company Ltd.

Whitlock said the working group intends to develop a harbour dredging plan and work on the details and requirements to get regulatory permits and approvals, and the necessary funding.

The Department of Transportation will help facilitate the working group and provide administrative support.

Whitlock called the workshop a key first step, and now the working group will look at what needs to be done to return the harbour to a safe operating level, such as how much material needs to be removed.

"It would be very unrealistic to think that we'd be able to actually get at it this summer, although there was certainly a desire within the group to try and achieve that," he said. "But the first step that's required is a very formal sounding done of the river using science and benchmarks to determine with present water levels exactly the volumes that we would need to be looking to be removed."

Those surveys and soundings may happen this summer.

Dredging of the harbour is a federal responsibility.

A recently-released report of the Canada Transportation Act Review recognized the importance of the harbour by recommending federal funding to support dredging.

Restoration and maintenance of the Hay River harbour is essential for marine resupply up and down the Mackenzie River, leading to reduced cost of living, economic growth, and resource development.

The harbour was last dredged in the early 1980s.

Transportation Minister Wally Schumann, the Hay River South MLA, addressed last week's workshop.

"We're very excited to have so many key stakeholders of the Hay River harbour participating in today's workshop," he said on April 12. "It's a great opportunity not only to discuss how to advance the necessary dredging work for restoring safe and effective access to the harbour of Hay River but it also will discuss long-term planning for the harbour and marine issues across the NWT."

Schumann said the Hay River harbour contributes to significant economic growth in the NWT.

"Hay River harbour is a major marine hub for the NWT, providing services for marine resupply via tug and barge to communities and industry," he said, noting that reduces the cost of living in communities.

Plus, he pointed out the harbour is also important for the Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the RCMP.

"The harbour is also the centre of the NWT commercial fishing industry on Great Slave Lake and supports recreational boating and tourism opportunities for local businesses and residents," he added.

In comments to News/North Schumann said a plan for assessing the problem needs to be developed.

"You're not going to see a dredge show up here tomorrow," he said.

However, Schumann said something needs to be done.

"Otherwise it's going to be a dire situation," he said, explaining that, if water levels continue to drop and climate change keeps putting pressure on the system, access to Great Slave Lake from the harbour is going to get even tougher.

Within the harbour, there are areas where depths are not a problem. One of the key problem areas is the entrance channel that comes in off Great Slave Lake into the mouth of the river adjacent to the beach area.

There is a very shallow shoal there that extends across the channel and creates a safety risk, especially for fishers and their vessels.

Mayor Brad Mapes said it was great to bring all the parties together for the workshop.

"It's something that we need to have happen," he said of dredging.

"It's been affecting our community, not just for the industry but we've also got the fishing industry here."

Mapes praised Schumann for organizing the workshop.

"We need to keep the buzz going and we need to make sure that it keeps moving faster," the mayor said of the initiative towards dredging.

"And we will."

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