N.W.T. considers more cabin leases near Yellowknife

The N.W.T. Department of Municipal and Community Affairs is considering opening up 35 more leases on Commissioners Land near Yellowknife.

The leases would be on land nearWalsh, Banting and Prosperous Lakes on the Ingraham Trail.

Current leaseholders are worried more cabins could hurt fish stocks and create more traffic around the already busy Vee Lake dock.

At a meeting in Yellowknife, many residents said the department isnt monitoring squatters and hasnt done enough to study the environmental impact of more people moving in to the area.

Bob Bromley, MLA for Weledeh, said the departments plan isnt close to ready.

"Its a little bit distressing that MACA [the Department of Municipal and Community Affairs] as a land manager and regulator has no familiarity with the land and no capacity to enforce their regulations. Thats astounding," he said.

The departments lands administrator director, Bev Chamberlain, admitted the department doesnt have thestaff to enforce cabin size rules or monitor squatters. But she said they will incorporate the leaseholders concerns into plans for the area.

There will be a second consultation meeting next week, which will be open to the public.