2002 Socio-Economic Studies in the Gwich'in Settlement Area
Principal Investigator: Povey, Andrew (93)
Licence Number: 13284
Organization: TERA Environmental Consultants
Licensed Year(s): 2005 2004 2003 2002
Issued: Mar 22, 2002
Project Team: Jim Ross, Chris O'Neil, Chuck Hobart, Bruce Ramsay, Michael Fabijan

Objective(s): Imperial Oil Resources, CONOCO Canada Resources Limited, Shell Canada Limited, and ExxonMobil Canada initiated a number of Baseline Studies during 2001 as part of a feasibility study for the Mackenzie Delta Gas Opportunity. These studies are being continued in 2002. Local knowledge and technical/scientific research, in combination with a synthesis of existing technical information, is being used to develop a suitable knowledge base for planning, assessment of impacts and development of environmental protection plans. TERA Environmental Consultants (TERA), in association with Kavik-AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd., AMEC Earth & Environmental Ltd., and Golder Associates Ltd., has been retained to conduct the baseline studies. The proposed project will consist of socio-economic studies to be conducted in 2002 in the Gwich'in Settlement Area. The primary focus of these studies will be to identify, collect, and verify existing socio-economic baseline information. Traditional knowledge, including information on the local/regional wage and subsistence economies, population, labour force, community facilities, services, accomodation, infrastructure, community health and wellness, and social indicator data will be gathered and validated through participative, community driven research methods.

Project Description: The focus of these studies will be to identify, collect, and verify existing socio-economic baseline information, including the local/regional wage and subsistence economies, population, labour force, community facilities, services, accommodation, local/regional infrastructure, community health, wellness and social indicator data. Most information will be collected from secondary sources. Community officials and local service providers will be asked to validate information collected from secondary sources. In order to identify issues and concerns related to the project concept, primary socio-economic studies might also be undertaken. These studies may collect data on traditional knowledge, land and resource use, regional economy, regional political economy, demography, community infrastructure, education facilities and social services, and health services. Participative, community driven research methods will be used. Appropriate research methods will be designed in consultation with local stakeholders. It is anticipated that this research will lead to ways to reduce or eliminate potential adverse effects and enhance the potential positive effects of a pipeline. If original survey work is required, each individual will be required to sign a consent form before they are interviewed. Confidentiality of all interview subjects will be strictly maintained. Subjects will not be identified by name without their prior written permission. If necessary, subjects will be coded to a number, and identified only by that number. Only a small number of project analysts will have access to the information and code, and will not release confidential information without authorized consent. All data collected during the course of this project will be stored in the Calgary offices of TERA and Imperial Oil Resources. Relevant community organizations will receive regular updates, and a non-technical summary of the final project reports. Traditional knowledge as it relates to socio-economics will be identified, gathered, and validated. Methods of gathering traditional knowledge may involve community workshops, individual and group interviews or site visits to significant biophysical or cultural locations.