Fort McKay First Nation filing formal objection against oilsands project

The Fort McKay First Nation, located north of Fort McMurray, is filing a formal objection against an oilsands project called Dover. It is a joint venture of Athabasca Oil Corp. and PetroChina and would be as close as one kilometre from a reserve. Concerns are for band members who use the territory to fish, hunt and trap. The nation says proposals it has made to lessen the impact on the environment and community have been ignored after three years of consultation with Dover Operating Corp, owned by Athabasca Oil. Fort McKay wants a 20-km buffer zone put in place to protect its hunting and trapping territory.  “We want to make it clear we are not against oil and gas exploration and extraction in the area,” said Jim Boucher, chief of the Fort McKay First Nation. “But the (project) in question will impact the last remaining traditional land that can be used for cultural activities like hunting and trapping, and (interfere with) the exercise of our treaty and Aboriginal rights.”