Bird sanctuary debated at pipeline hearings

The future of the Northwest Territories' Kendall Island bird sanctuary was at the centre of debate during the latest round of hearings into the proposed Mackenzie gas project held in Inuvik.

The 623-square-kilometre Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary, located on the northern tip of the Mackenzie River Delta,is an internationally known migratory bird nesting ground.

The sanctuaryalso contains 4.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas about two thirds of the gas intended to fill the $7.5-billion Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

The Joint Review Panel, assessing the environmental and socio-economic impact of the proposedproject, heard arguments last week about developing gas within the sanctuary while at the same time protecting it.

Imperial Oil and Shell Canada, whichwant to build an airstrip, a large camp and processing facilities on 3.5 square kilometres of land, say their work will not have a significant impact.

Environment Canada's Bill Gummer, who manages the sanctuary,disagrees.

Gummer is opposed to the airstrip and the suggested noise levels from the processing plants.

The pipeline should avoid key bird habitat, he said, adding that new protected land should be set aside in case serous flooding results once the gas fields are drained.

Although the panel'srecommendations will carryweight, Environment Canada willset the terms for development in the sanctuary if the project is given the go-ahead.

The Joint Review Panel is next scheduled to meet in Yellowknife Dec. 5 to 8.

TheNational Energy Boardwill hold its next hearings inInuvik Nov. 22to 25. It isreviewing the engineering, safety and economic aspects of the proposed project.