Treaty rights protection urged

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It is essential the proposed Alberta-Pacific pulp mill not infringe on treaty Indian rights, says Liberal environment critic Grand Mitchell.

The Edmonton Meadowlark MLA recently submitted a written brief on the proposed mill the environmental impact assessment review board.

The board had conducted hearings across northern Alberta and is now receiving submissions until Jan. 15. It's expected to report in February.

"We must be sure the proposed Al-Pac development is in the best long-term interests of the people of northern Alberta, that it is non-polluting and represents a truly sustainable form of development. We must be sure we are passing on an acceptable legacy to future generation," he said.

Mitchell, in making 11 recommendations to the board, said the government should guarantee lands covered by the Al-Pac Forest Management Agreement (FMA) remain accessible to Indians, so they can continue to hunt, trap and fish in accordance with treaty rights.

The province should also insist that if any of the land within the boundaries of the FMA is needed to satisfy land claims, that it can be withdrawn without payment of compensation to Al-Pac.

Provincial Liberals have requested a moratorium on the development of the Alberta-Pacific mill until a study has been done on the cumulative effects of existing and proposed pulp mills in northern Alberta.

Mitchell is also recommending:

That public hearings be held on all the associated forestry developments. "Native peoples will be directly affected by all aspects of forestry development (construction of roads, logging, reforestation and increased public access),"

That Al-Pac provide full compensation to any trapper whose trapline, income or food supply is affected by the Al-Pac project, such compensation to be decided by an independent Compensation Review Panel,

That fish stocks be monitored to ensure there's no net loss of fish habitat, and

That Al-Pac before receiving its permit to construct, guarantee in writing the minimum number of Native people to be trained and employed.