An Alberta-based oil and gas company is looking to resume exploration activities near Eagle Plains in the northern Yukon.

According to documents on file with the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board (YESAB), Northern Cross (Yukon) Ltd. is applying to resume testing at three existing wells 380 km north of Dawson City.

Documents from the company on file with YESAB state the company is seeking to resume testing at the Eagle Plains site next year.

Northern Cross is also applying to make upgrades to its development, including upgrades to existing infrastructure and the construction of a camp.

'The project entails upgrading an existing access road to all season status,' YESAB documents state.

'Modifications to the road surface would likely include widening of the shoulders, addition of gravel from local quarry sites in the area, grading and maintenance as the road is situated along the topographical summit in the area.

'The project will also require placement of well servicing equipment, fuel and hydrocarbon storage tanks and a three-trailer camp and associated utilities.'

The company also stated in its submission to YESAB that it will take all necessary precautions to protect the environment.

'Northern Cross will uphold the policy to use operating practices that are consistent with good environmental management such as making sure that hazardous materials and wastes are properly stored, taking the necessary steps to prevent spills and control air emissions, and to make a concerted effort to minimize disturbances to the surrounding environment.'

Lewis Rifkind, of the Yukon Conservation Society, said this morning he is concerned that adding an all-season road to the area could spark more oil and gas development interest in the region.

He said other companies that may have been looking at the area may now see exploration activities as a possibility.

'Previously, you only had a winter road, so you had limited access to the area.

'Once one company puts in a road, which is a pretty expensive thing to build, it makes other projects viable,' he said. 'This could be the beginning of something.'

The project being in such a remote area, he added, would make getting a product to market difficult.