As for that controversy we told you about between the outfitting community and the Environment and Natural Resources Department of NWT (ENR), there has been some movement here. You'll recall we reported the ENR had determined the Bathhurst herd of caribou in the Northwest Territories was in decline and they intended to slash outfitter permits to a total of 350 for 2008. Caribou outfitters contested ENR's findings and mounted an all-out campaign to prevent the permit cuts. Now, the Wek'èezhìi Renewable Resources Board, an agency of the native Tlicho Government in authority there, has ruled that the current 750 permit quota will remain until a new proposal is submitted to the board, or new evidence becomes available to suggest that the current regulation should be amended. The board also recommended that the ENR, which is really only a consultant with no authority there, and the Tlicho Government seek input from the pubic, including outfitters, and engage in discussions to consider whether outfitted caribou hunts for nonresidents should be permitted in Wek'èezhìi on a long-term and sustainable basis. Negotiations between the ENR and the Tlicho Government were expected to continue this month. We will, of course continue to follow developments.
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