GNWT and Kátł’odeeche Fırst Natıon announce removal of derelict barges in Hay River

Press Release

HAY RIVER (October 19, 2020) – The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and Kátł’odeeche Fırst Natıon(KFN) are pleased to announce the removal of six derelict barges on KFN land in Hay River.

The barges, which drifted ashore during a flood in 2008, became Marine Transportation Services (MTS) property following the bankruptcy of the Northern Transportation Company Limited (NTCL).

This year’s higher-than-normal water levels on Great Slave Lake allowed two MTS tugboats to readily access and retrieve the barges between June 17 and August 21.

A collaborative effort between the GNWT and KFN, this project allows the area to be used once again for traditional and recreational uses.

Some of the barges will be scrapped while others are expected to be sold or repurposed.

This project is one of many the GNWT has undertaken since the launch of MTS to remove disused equipment and scrap material from various properties.

Quotes

“While our priority for Marine Transportation Services (MTS) is to deliver essential cargo reliably and affordably, we are also committed to operating an environmentally responsible and sustainable business. Since the launch of MTS in 2017, great efforts have been undertaken to clean up derelict and legacy scrap material at properties used by previous marine operators. The GNWT thanks the Kátł’odeeche Fırst Natıonfor their partnership and we look forward to future opportunities to collaborate.”

• Diane Archie, Minister of Infrastructure

“The Kátł’odeecheFirst Nation is proud to reassume control of our Lands and Resources including all matters related to our environment. As Dene people, it is our inherent right and responsibility to ensure that our environment is sustainable for our future generations. We are very pleased to work collaboratively with MTS on the removal of several barges that have been on our lands for decades and for the reclamation of the lands and waters from where they were parked. The collaborative effort between MTS and our Nation will ensure that our lands and waters get restored to their natural state. We will be able to continue to enjoy our pristine lands and waters into the future.”

• April Martel, Chief of Kátł’odeeche Fırst Natıon

Quick facts

• MTS provides essential marine resupply operations and services for communities, government and industry, and the maintenance and overhaul of marine and mobile equipment at its shipyard in Hay River.
• Northern businesses benefit substantially from business opportunities required to support MTS operations and infrastructure improvements.
• MTS is committed to operating an environmentally responsible and sustainable business, and is compliant with territorial, federal and international safety and environmental regulations.

Related links

• Marine Transportation Services
• Kátł’odeeche Fırst Natıon

For all media requests, please contact:

Public Affairs and Communications

Department of Infrastructure

Government of the Northwest Territories

INF_Communications@gov.nt.ca

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