Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With regard to the amendment to the application, that application was made to the Minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. I believe that the regional environmental review committee has made their recommendation to the Minister or to the regional officials of the department and I understand that it is in the hands of the Minister. I have not been in direct contact with the Minister recently, but I believe the decision will be made by the Minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As this is an advisory committee to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, I am not aware of which other stakeholders are involved in the process. The only information I have at the present time is that the Department of Renewable Resources is involved and the other two departments of the Government of the Northwest Territories. I am able to respond to questions on behalf of the Department of Renewable Resources. But when it comes to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, I am not able to respond on their behalf. This is as much information as I have at the present time with regard to the regional environmental review committee. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not able to respond on behalf of the other departments, but I believe that the Department of Renewable Resources, as the arm of the government which considers environmental impact across the Northwest Territories, has taken a very thorough look at the situation and what impact it may have on the environment surrounding the BHP mine. The results of this technical committee, which is basically what it is -- it is an advisory committee to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs -- have agreed that, in fact, the road which BHP is proposing will have minimal impact on the environment around the proposed mine. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The regional environmental review committee, which was formed by the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs, consists of Government of the Northwest Territories membership of three departments: one is the Department of Economic Development and Tourism; one is the Department of Renewable Resources; and, the third is the Department of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that the first meeting of the regional study took place in early February. The first planning workshop is scheduled, at the present time, for February 28th to March 2, 1995 here in Yellowknife. The objectives of this workshop will be to develop a common vision for the regional study, to achieve consensus on terms of reference and goals and objectives for the study, and to define the planning process and management structure for the study. So I don't believe that the Slave geological province regional study, at the present time, is in any position to be able to assess the proposals that are being made. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think that the application that has been made by BHP is at the DIAND office at the present time. It is still being discussed by DIAND officials as to whether this permanent road, as Mr. Lewis puts it, will be approved or not.

We are, as a department, taking a very close look and talking with BHP as well as to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs as to what impact these permanent roads will have. The roads that we are talking about are approximately 28 kilometres, and it is only in the area that BHP is exploring at the present time. I believe what is being proposed by BHP are gravel roads which will allow them to be able to transport themselves. It would be a one-lane road that goes from one site to two other sites in their particular area.

Mr. Speaker, we are, as a department, watching very closely to what is happening. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that this study will cover all of what is considered the Slave geological province. It is a regional study which will address the environmental concerns of industry, the various environmental organizations and our two levels of government, and set an environmental strategy for the Slave geological province which could be used by industry and by other interested parties.

The BHP Environmental Assessment Review Panel has a mandate which, I believe, will end after a period of...I'm sorry, I don't have the time frame at this present time. There are seven or eight steps that they will have to go through. At the present time, they are in their scoping session, as I mentioned earlier. They have hearings for that stage and will hold hearings for a number of the other stages whereby interested groups and parties will be able to make their presentations and make their concerns known. The BHP Environmental Assessment Review Panel is specific to the area where BHP exploration is going on so will likely take less time than the Slave geological study. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I believe the regional study that is being conducted started in December of 1994. It will not necessarily report to any one group, I don't think, but it is being funded by the Minister of the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs and the Government of the Northwest Territories through the Department of Renewable Resources. The two governments have each committed up to $750,000 per year for five years to do the study. They are also seeking the remaining third portion of funds they will require from other potential partners, who include First Nations, industry and environmental organizations. I don't know that there is one group or organization that they report to. But it will be something that will be made use of by industry and both levels of government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the concern that the Member has raised, I have put a stop to the transportation of bison at this present time. I think that the direction the department was taking is the direction that we should take a careful look at. I have said that we should put a stop to this. However, we should continue to talk about it and see what direction we can take with it. One of the consultations that will be made will be with the residents of Fort Smith. Thank you.