Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Oral Question asked by Mr. McLeod on July 24, 2001 regarding community forest fire protection plans. The Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development has completed site and structure assessments for over half of the communities. Additionally, satellite vegetation analysis for all communities has been completed as well as mapping and street layouts for 80 percent of the communities. Our forest management program expects to have most of the work on site and structure assessment completed by the end of 2001.
Following assessment, the next stage is analysis of the fire protection plans for each community to determine the extent of the protection problem and develop reasonable and practical solutions which may be applied for effective protection of the community.
Of the 31 communities in the forest area of the Northwest Territories, only one, Wrigley, has submitted a practical proposal for further work to the department. Fort Smith, Fort Providence and Tsiigehtchic are working with department staff to complete their preliminary work and evaluate the problem in preparation for a proposal submission. The community of Fort Simpson has retained a contractor to develop a proposal on their behalf for the Wild Rose Subdivision.
For the remaining communities, department staff are completing those assessments and analyses in preparation for planning in their areas. Regional staff have been in contact with the communities, keeping them informed on the progress of these efforts.
The department will be continuing to work with communities and other departments such as Municipal and Community Affairs to move this important task forward. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.