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The power of a park

The power of a park We wanted to write to clarify some matters with regard to your "analysis" piece in the October 20 paper regarding the Liard First Nation park proposal.

We wanted to write to clarify some matters with regard to your “analysis” piece in the October 20 paper regarding the Liard First Nation park proposal.

We have always put the environment and consultation with our people at the front of Liard First Nation’s agenda. The essence of our struggles with Selwyn are mischaracterized in the analysis.

The First Nation had to spend a lot of money, not provided by industry, to prepare and present comments to YESAB. We used a local well-respected consultant, Bill Slater.

Our park proposal clearly spells out in the letter to the Yukon premier and Environment Minister Jim Prentice it should include the R block “with appropriate buffers” to protect the ecosystem.

We would have expectations that it would likely extend beyond the R Block boundary. It could become an adjunct or extension to the Nahanni Park Expansion.

It very well may involve parts of the Selwyn Chihong zinc mine area and access.

As for legal and other action, as Liard First Nation has publicly stated we will use all means possible to highlight our environmental concerns. That work has been underway for some time. Stay tuned.

Chief Liard McMillan

Liard First Nation