Downstream from tarsands, Fort Smith worries over water
Monday, April 21, 2008
CBC News
Concerned residents in Fort Smith, N.W.T., met Saturday to talk about the water they drink, and how tarsands development south of the town may be affecting its quality.
"We don't know the answers. We don't know what's in our water," resident Keith Hartery said at Saturday night's public meeting in Fort Smith, located on the N.W.T.-Alberta border.
"We know that water tests are being done, but we don't know what's being tested for," he added. "We don't know exactly what's going on in [Fort] McMurray."
About 50 people crowded into a room at the local recreation centre to hear from several panellists, including local scientist and environmental advocate Jack Van Camp.
"We're downstream from one of the biggest developments in the world," said Van Camp, who is the former executive director of the Mackenzie River Basin Board.
"We're getting signals from the upstream users that they're having some serious health concerns. In Fort Smith, we really don't have an opportunity to have much influence in Alberta, on what goes on in Alberta."
Van Camp said the tarsands industry is in control of environmental testing and information related to development.
As well, he said, the Northwest Territories government has no legislative power over water that crosses its boundaries, since that is a federal responsibility.
"We really have to be vigilant about who is looking after our water, and making sure that the pressure is on to ensure that we get the best water that we can," he said.
At the same time, Van Camp said he is pleased with the N.W.T.'s "moral" leadership, as it prepares to release a territorial water strategy sometime this year.
Those who attended Saturday's meeting agreed to build alliances with nearby communities who share the same waterways, such as Fort Chipewyan and Fort Resolution.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/north/story/2008/04/21/nwt-water.html
