Yellowknife, N.W.T. (30 June 2003) - The parties to the Cooperation Plan for the Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Review of a Natural Gas Pipeline Project through the Northwest Territories (June 2002) announced today that the Preliminary Information Package (PIP) submitted by the proponents of the Mackenzie Gas Project, on 18 June 2003, has been evaluated and accepted as complete.

The PIP signals the intent of the proponents to proceed with regulatory applications for a large natural gas project in the Northwest Territories. The PIP outlines the project development plans, including: natural gas field development in the Mackenzie River Delta, gathering lines, processing and transportation of gas south through the Mackenzie Valley to northern Alberta.

The review process for this project is outlined in the Cooperation Plan. The PIP will be used to initiate the review steps under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the environmental screening process under the Inuvialuit Final Agreement. Once permit applications are filed, the review process under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act will also be initiated.

This 'made in the North' approach ensures that the environmental impact assessment and regulatory processes will be rigorous, comprehensive, and coordinated and will address the needs of northerners and all Canadians.

A Plan for Public Involvement for the Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Review of a Northern Gas Pipeline Project through the Northwest Territories is also available. This plan explains to stakeholders and the general public how to get involved in the review of the proposed project.

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For more information, contact:

Ross Hicks
National Energy Board
403-299-3930

Jodi Woollam
Department of Indian Affairs & Northern Development
867-669-2435

Gordon Harris
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
819-953-4045

Roland Semjanovs
Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
867-766-7051

Norm Snow
Inuvialuit Settlement Region
867-777-2828

Bob Wooley
Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board
867-669-0506

Vicki Losier
Northwest Territories Water Board
867-669-2772

For a copy of the Plan for Public Involvement for the Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Review of a Northern Gas Pipeline Project through the Northwest Territories [PDF: 332 KB]

Appendix:
Office Locations and Web Sites

Copies of the Plan for Public Involvement and the Cooperation Plan are available from the following office locations:

Publications Office, National Energy Board
Ground Floor, 444 Seventh Avenue SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P 0X8
Telephone: 403-299-3562
Fax: 403-292-5576
email: publications@neb-one.gc.ca
Web site: www.neb-one.gc.ca

Joanne Allaire
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
200 Sacré-Coeur Blvd, Fontaine Building
Hull (Quebec) K1A 0H3
Telephone: 819-953-2501
Fax: 819-953-2891
Web site: www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Jodi Woollam
Dept of Indian Affairs & Northern Development (DIAND)
4914 - 50^th Street, 4^th Floor Bellanca Building
Box 1500
Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2R3
Telephone: 867-669-2435
Fax: 867-669-2715
Web site: www.inac.gc.ca

Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board
200 Scotia Centre, 5102 -50^th Avenue
Box 938
Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2N7
Telephone: 867-766-7050
Fax: 867-766-7074
Email: cooperation@mveirb.nt.ca
Web site: www.mveirb.nt.ca

Mackenzie Valley Land & Water Board
7^th Floor, YK Centre
Box 2130
Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2P6
Telephone: 867-669-0506
Fax: 867-873-6610
Web site: http://www.mvlwb.com/html/introduction.htm

Inuvialuit Settlement Region Joint Secretariat
107 Mackenzie Road
Box 2120
Inuvik, NWT X0E 0T0
Telephone: 867-777-2828
Fax: 867-777-2610

NWT Water Board
Box 1500 Yellowknife, NWT X1A 2R3
Telephone: 867-669-2772
Fax: 867-669-2719

Inuvialuit Land Administration
P.O. Box 290
Tuktoyaktuk, NWT X0E 1C0
Telephone: 867-977-2202
Fax: 867-977-2467

Sahtu Land & Water Board
Box 1
Fort Good Hope, NWT X0E 0G0
Telephone: 867-598-2413
Fax: 867-598-2325

Gwich'in Land & Water Board
1-3 Council Crescent, Box 2018
Inuvik, NWT X0E 0T0
Telephone: 867-777-4954
Fax: 867-777-2616

Government of the Northwest Territories
Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development
Suite 600, 5102-50^th Avenue
Yellowknife, NWT X1A 3S8
Telephone: 867-873-7379
Fax: 867-873-0114
Web site:http://www.gov.nt.ca/