Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization
P. O. Box 189, Pond Inlet, Nunavut XOA OSO
Tel: (867) 899-8856
Fax: (867) 899-8095
E-mail: htopond@qiniq.com
Nunavut Impact Review Board
P.O. Box 1360
Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
X0B 0C0
867-983-4600
October 15, 2013
To Whom It May Concern:
Re: Submission of comments for the Mary River Project
The Board of Directors for the Mittimatalik Hunters’ & Trappers’ Organization (MHTO) have met a few times to discuss Baffinland Iron
Mine Corporations’ application to amend their certificate for the Mary River Project at Mary River and Milne Inlet.
The MHTO Board of Directors believe this project will greatly impact the animals surrounding Pond Inlet and at Milne Inlet. Of particular
concern is the increase number of ships that will be passing through Pond Inlet to get to Milne Inlet. MHTO understands, through
presentations made by NIRB and by information shared by Baffinland, that the proposed new shipping routing will result in approximately
55 ships travelling in and out of Pond Inlet to Milne Inlet between July and October. This equals to 110 individual trips past the community
of Pond Inlet in a three-month period. When you also considering the number of sealift vessels and tanker ships that will also be required
annually, the sum results is SIGNIFICANT marine traffic within reach and view of the community.
As this is the case the MHTO Board of Directors has decided to formally submit comments regarding this project.
When BIMC start their Early Revenue Phase, they requested that shipping routes to Milne Inlet go through Pond Inlet. MHTO argues that
when the ships reach Pond Inlet, they should slow down their sail speeds to 8-10 knots, at least. MHTO is concern about the height and
intensity of waves these ships will create. Faster moving boats create waves that reach the beach, and the boats stored there. MHTO makes
this statement as community members have already voiced their observations of the impact these passing vessels make. A community
member has stated that while these waves do take time to reach the community shores, when they do, they do disrupt boats docked at the
shore. As our community members have had their boats damaged at the shore due to naturally occurring strong waves, we at the MHTO are
concerned about the impact of multiple vessels passing our community.
MHTO is also concern about the impact these waves will have to the hunters of our community. Specifically, we are concern that the
increase marine traffic will negatively impact hunters travelling towards Milne Inlet. Milne Inlet is an important hunting site for our
community, as it is the calving ground for narwhals’. Narwhals’ is not only a vital source of food for the community; the narwhal is an
important economic support for our community. Not only do people sell narwhal tusks, but MHTO also sells narwhal muktaq within the
territory and beyond. As MHTO is totally aware of the traffic to Milne Inlet from Pont Inlet, we make the argument that if ships sail slower,
the wave height and their impact will be lower.
The MHTO would also like to see there be an investment on research, particularly research that seeks to understand the impact the mine and
its increased marine traffic has on marine wildlife. The board would like BIMC to start an Arctic Char study in or near Milne Inlet, one
which monitors the health of the Arctic Char. A similar study on Arctic Char is conducted each year near Pond Inlet and at the mouth of
Salmon Creek. We understand that Narwhal studies will be conducted each year near Milne Inlet, and the MHTO board would also like to
see this happen for Arctic Char.
The MHTO board also discussed the ships coming in through Button Point, if they would be going to Milne Inlet, the board would not like
them to go out through Navy Board Inlet. In fact, the board does not want any ships to go in or out through Navy Board Inlet except for
sealift vessels and the Coast Guard in case of any emergency in that area. We feel strongly about this, as water currents moves from Navy
Board Inlet out through Button Point. According to Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, animals follow this same movement; therefore, it is important
to maintain the integrity of this water current.
Last but not least is the protection of our environment and the surrounding animals and marine mammals that will be greatly affected. This
is also a significant concern from the MHTO Board of Directors. The community believes that our environment and its surroundings should
be respected.
These are the concerns and comments from the MHTO Board of Directors. The board would appreciate hearing any kind of response to our
concerns. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments regarding the issues raised in this letter.
Thank you
Amy Aglak
Secretary Manager
C.c:
Jaykolasie Killiktee Mayor, Hamlet of Pond Inlet
Stephen Bathory Projects Manager, Qikiqtani Inuit Association
James Qillaq Chairperson, Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board
Mittimatalik Hunters & Trappers Organization
P. O. Box 189, Pond Inlet, Nunavut XOA OSO
Tel: (867) 899-8856
Fax: (867) 899-8095
E-mail: htopond@qiniq.com