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November 19, 2005: Proposed mine rekindles debate over future of Nahanni National Park Reserve

B.C.

THE MANITOBAN ONLINE

November 17, 2005

Proposed mine rekindles debate over future of Nahanni National Park Reserve Mining roads encroach on Deh Cho and Sahtu territory

Mark Cohoe

One of the most spectacular wild rivers in North America, the South Nahanni River surges through deep canyons, meanders past steaming hot springs and plunges over Virginia Falls as it winds its way through the Mackenzie Mountains of the Northwest Territories. The area along the river was protected as a National Park Reserve in 1972, following a public campaign to protect the river from hydroelectric and mineral development.

A river steeped in myth and legend, this unique landscape became the first natural site in the world to be granted World Heritage status by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) in 1978. In 1987, the South Nahanni was added to the list of Canadian heritage rivers in recognition of its outstanding wilderness character and recreational value.

Unfortunately, Nahanni National Park Reserve protects only a relatively small portion of a larger watershed and ecosystem. The narrow corridor shape of the current park means that many wide-ranging wildlife species, such as woodland caribou, Dall’s sheep, mountain goats and grizzly bears, wander in and out of the park, leaving them vulnerable to the impacts of development outside the park.

Parks Canada and the surrounding Deh Cho and Sahtu First Nations have recognized this and are cooperating to expand the park boundaries. A recently released draft, "Deh Cho Land Use Plan," identifies the entire South Nahanni watershed as a conservation zone. First Nations in the Sahtu region also support protecting the headwaters of the Nahanni that lie within their traditional territory. Parks Canada’s own operational policy supports watershed-based boundaries.

Other parties, however, are also interested in the areas proposed for expansion of the park and are pressing forward with plans of their own.

Ignoring the October 2002 "Action Plan for Parks Canada" and a memorandum of understanding between Parks Canada and the Deh Cho First Nations to work towards park expansion within the South Nahanni watershed, the federal government is again accepting applications for mineral prospecting permits for sites within the South Nahanni watershed.

Conservation groups and First Nations have expressed concerns that these permits place proposed protected areas at risk. Prospecting permits issued under Canada mining regulations give the holder the exclusive right to prospect in an area for a period of three years. This hinders the protection of these lands for the period of the permit, and it opens the door to third party property rights through mineral claims and leases that would further hinder conservation efforts.

One of the most contentious developments is that of the proposed Prairie Creek mine. Vancouver-based Canadian Zinc Corporation is currently petitioning the federal government to start up the Prairie Creek mine that was developed over 20 years ago but never started production. The mine is located beside a creek that flows directly into the South Nahanni River and is adjacent to sensitive limestone terrain known as karst, which, by its very nature, is riddled with underground passages and caves, increasing the risk of groundwater contamination.

As a first step towards development, Canadian Zinc Corporation plans to upgrade and rebuild a winter road to the Prairie Creek mine that runs across this delicate ecosystem. Conservation groups and the Deh Cho First Nations are opposed to the reconstruction of the winter road because of concerns about its environmental impacts. Although the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board, the regulatory authority in the region, had ruled that the road proposal must undergo an environmental assessment, Canadian Zinc Corporation went before the NWT Supreme Court in December of 2004 and succeeded in having the board’s ruling overturned by arguing that the road reconstruction should be exempt from environmental assessment because of a pre-existing permit. That permit had last been licensed in 1983.

The Government of Canada has not yet given the Prairie Creek mine the green light to operate. It is fully within the jurisdiction of the federal government to turn down this mine proposal and, in accordance with the wishes of local First Nations, protect the lands as part of the national park.

Once again, public pressure is mounting to expand the park and protect the entire Nahanni watershed from encroaching development. The federal government has the authority to stop development, but it remains to be seen how it will act.

Learn more about the proposed expansion of the Nahanni National Park Reserve and its ecology at Nahanni Forever. See events listing, this issue.

http://umanitoba.ca/manitoban/2005-2006/11...