Sahtu resource board members not in conflict of interest over caribou plans

The Sahtu Renewable Resources Board says two of its members, and the board's chair, are not in a conflict of interest when it comes to reviewing management plans for the Bluenose East caribou herd and will participate in hearings this week.

The board's hearings begin March 1 on plans byDelineand the N.W.T.government to manage the declining herd.But other Sahtu communities have questioned the board's impartialitybecause some of its members helped create the plans they'll review.

Deline Chief Leonard Kenny, aboard member,and Michael Neyelle, theboard's chair,both worked on Deline'splan extensively.Board member Jeff Walker worked on the N.W.T.government'splan.

Colville Lake groups filed a motion saying the three are in a conflict of interest, and that the hearings should be postponed until alternate board members can be appointed. The motionwas supported bygroups inNorman Wells and Fort Good Hope.

'Fair hearing'

"We wanted a fair hearing where everybody gets a chance and no one is in conflict," saidWilbertKochon, Chief ofColvilleLake.

"Some of the people might have worked on the plan and put the numbers in the quotas. We want everyone to get a fair hearing."

The Sahtu Renewable Resources Board's conflict of interest guidelines recognize thatits board members are often employees or leaders in Sahtuor government organizations, and theSahtu Dene and Mtis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement states these members arenot in a conflict of interest solelyon that basis.

The board met last Thursday and decided the three members are notin a conflict of interest.

It decided that when Deline's plan is presented, Neyelle should step aside as chair, and that Neyelle, Kenny and Walker should not be part of the Deline or ENR panels presenting and taking questions on their plans.

They may remain in the roomto hear the evidence and participate in the final deliberations.