Council of Canadians' NWT Chapter Logo

August 29, 2013

Minister Michael Miltenberger,
Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
Government of the Northwest Territories,
Yellowknife, NWT

Dear Minister Miltenberger:

Re: Request for an Investigation under the Environmental Rights Act

This letter is pursuant to Section 4 (2) of the Environmental Rights Act which states that any two NWT residents who are of the opinion that a contaminant “is likely to be released into the environment, may apply to the Minister for an investigation of the release or the likely release” of the contaminant. We confirm that we are residents of the NWT and not less than 19 years of age.

This letter asks you to investigate the likely release of contaminants not specifically named by ConocoPhilips Canada Resources Corp. under the Type A Land Use Permit (S13A-001) and Type B Water Licence (S12L1-005) in the Tulita District, issued by the Sahtu Land and Water Board, and to require full public disclosure of all chemicals used. The attached declaration provides additional information to proceed with this request.

Section 6 (1) of the Environmental Rights Act states that “every person resident in the Territories has the right to protect the environment and the public trust.” The signatories of this letter assert these rights which we trust will be respected by the GNWT.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Lois Little and Peter Redvers
Co-Chairs, NWT Chapter Council of Canadians

Press Relese:
Fracking Companies’ Trade Secrets Should Not Trump Public Interest
NWT Chapter – Council of Canadians

CBC North Story
NWT politicians and activists want companies have to disclose more information about the chemicals they use when hydraulic fracturing

NWT CoC Chapter Co-Chair Peter Redvers calls for full disclosure of fracking fluids to be used by ConocoPhilips. The Chapter’s request for full disclosure was made under the Environmental Rights Act.
CBC North Video | Sep 3, 2013 | 2:39
More fracking disclosure

NWT politicians and activists want companies have to disclose more information about the chemicals they use when hydraulic fracturing

BACKGROUND

Exploratory horizontal fracking approved
Sahtu Land and Water Board grants approval with conditions but no environmental assessment
Lyndsay Herman Northern News Services
Published Saturday, June 15, 2013
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The second time was a charm for horizontal hydraulic fracturing on exploratory wells in the Sahtu.

Minister upbeat about fracking mission
GNWT politicians and bureaucrats went on three-day fact-finding venture to Calgary
Thandiwe Vela Northern News Services
Published Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012
SAHTU: As a number of major oil and gas companies are slated to continue exploring recently purchased land parcels in the Canol shale formation of the Sahtu region this winter, a small group of GNWT politicians and bureaucrats took part in a hydraulic fracturing fact-finding mission in Calgary last month

The word on fracking
NWT News/North Editorial – Monday, December 5, 2011
“…It is time for the GNWT to step in to determine what chemicals – as they can vary from operator to operator — may be used in the territory when fracking wells. That information, along with a detailed explanation of how the process works, should then be passed on to the communities and First Nations groups so they can make informed decisions on whether to support or oppose fracking on their land….”

George Lessard

George Lessard

George has worked in Northern media and the education sector while living in Salluit, Nunavik (Arctic Quebec), Arviat, (Nunavut); Inuvik, Forth Smith and Yellowknife (Northwest Territories) since 1982...