Jordan Press
August 22, 2012

NORMAN WELLS, N.W.T. — The federal government is creating a new national park in the North, but has elected to set the boundaries smaller than some hope, paving the way for mining opportunities.

In creating the Nááts’ihch’oh National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories, the federal government set the borders smaller than local aboriginal leaders hoped because of the potential for resource development.

A Parks Canada review of the boundaries found that the one announced Wednesday takes “full advantage of mineral potential … while still providing minimal protection of conservation values.”

With smaller boundaries, the national park designation won’t impede companies hoping to find millions of dollars worth of minerals buried in the North, near an area abundant in grizzly bears, dall sheep and mountain goats.

“I’m not going to get into an extended debate on this. I know there’s been a lot of discussion between all of these parties on the boundaries,” Prime Minister Harper said.

“Obviously one of our objectives is to protect our environment and also allow for economic opportunity here. I will just say this, that I know this continues to be an item of discussion and park boundaries are reviewed from time to time.”

Local aboriginal leaders are hoping they can convince Parks Canada to expand the park to protect more area along the Nahanni River, which they consider a place of spiritual and cultural importance.

“Land protection is the preference for our people,” said Chief Frank Andrew of the Tulita Dene Band on whose historical land the park sits.

“We’re hoping for things to change.”

Harper has talked about responsible resource development in the North balanced with environmental concerns, and repeated that mantra during Wednesday’s announcement in front of local residents, on the shore of the wide Mackenzie River.

For three decades, the decision to make an area a national park or reserve has been balanced with the potential for resource development nearby. The Nááts’ihch’oh park went through the same review before its boundaries were set.

“This is how we do national parks,” said Alan Latourelle, CEO of Parks Canada. “At the end, we create a park that works for conservation and ensures economic development and that’s what we’ve done here.”

The park is notable for its turquoise pools of water fed by snow melting from the top of rolling mountains, feeding the wildlife and green vegetation in the valley below.

Harper visited the new park on Tuesday before landing in Norman Wells, walking with his wife Laureen through an area known as Moose Ponds that overlooks Mt. Wilson, a mountain of spiritual significance to the Sahtu Dene.

“It’s a spectacular place for a new national park,” Harper said during the hike.

Parks Canada provided the government with three options for the new park, each of which was put to public for feedback. The majority of those surveyed wanted an option that could protect about 6,450 square kilometres of land and 94 per cent of the upper South Nahanni River watershed.

The park boundaries announced Wednesday protect 4,840 square kilometres, or 70 per cent of the watershed.

“It leaves open a much larger area for possible future staking and development in the northern and western parts of the watershed,” Parks Canada wrote in reviewing the smallest of the three options.

“This option offers minimal protection to important conservation values.”

A public consultation showed support for the largest option for the park — with 92.3 per cent of respondents backing the first option. Only three per cent agreed with option three.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society said the government didn’t go far enough with the size of the park. Resource development could affect lands frequented by caribou and other wildlife in the area.

“There will be significant development in the North, we’re aware of that, that’s fine, but these other values need to be protected properly alongside that,” said Kris Brekke, executive director of CPAWS Northwest Territories chapter. “We’re going to take a good look at that boundary and see what needs to be done.”