ᐊᕙᑎᓕᕆᔨ ᒃ ᑯ ᑦ
Avatiligiyiit
Department of Environment
Ministère de l’Envrionnement
May 9, 2005,
Sylvia Novoligak
Environmental Screener Trainee
Nunavut Impact Review Board
via Email to:
snovoligak@nirb.nunavut.ca
Dear Sylvia Novoligak:
Re:
Site.
NIRB File #: 05EN058 BHP Billiton, Mineral Exploration and Camp
The Department of Environment (DOE), has reviewed the application from BHP
Billiton and has the following comments and recommendations to make.
Wildlife.
1.
Bear-People Conflicts
Polar bears have been killed in geological exploration camps in this area in the
past. Prospectors working in this area must be aware of polar bear deterrence
techniques and reduce the possibility of attracting bears to their camp. Proper
food handling and garbage disposal procedures must be followed to reduce the
likelihood that bears will be attracted to the operation.
The applicant must follow procedures outlined in the "Safety in Bear Country
Manual", and should contact the Regional/Area Biologist or the local Wildlife
Officer for information and advice on measures which should be taken to
minimize the possibility of bear-people conflicts.
2.
Caribou
At this time of the year, the caribou will be moving through the area and in June
caribou are known to calve on and southeast of the Simpson peninsula, as well
as between Simpson Lake and Pelly bay (Gunn and Fournier 2000 Identification
and substantiation of Caribou calving grounds on the NWT mainland and islands.
GNWT RWED File report 123). During the calving (mid May to mid July) the area
must be avoided (for details on calving ground delineation, the proponent should
look at the report mentioned and contact the local HTO for more information).
During the calving and post calving season, extra care must be taken to avoid
disturbance on caribou and any significant concentration of females must be
avoided (i.e. interrupt transect and detour to avoid the area).
We also suggest that during migration of caribou, the proponent must not locate
an operation so as to block or cause substantial diversion to migrating caribou,
cease activities that may interfere with migration, such as airborne geophysics
surveys or movement of equipment, until the migrating caribou have passed.
Further caribou protection measures can be obtained from the Wildlife Officer in
communities closest to the area of interest or from Mathieu Dumond, the
Kitikmeot Regional biologist (Tel 867 982 7444).
3.
Raptor Nests
Raptor nests occur throughout Nunavut, and most of the prospecting areas likely
contain at least a few nest sites.
The following is a list of general precautions that must be considered when
conducting prospecting activities near Peregrine Falcon, Gyrfalcon, and other
raptor nests (most of these precautions will also apply to all nesting bird species):
1)
Disturbance is most harmful early in the nesting period (May and June
for Peregrine Falcon and Gyrfalcon, similar for Rough-legged Hawk):
Raptors will attempt to maximize their chances of successfully raising
young. If they decide early in the breeding period that their nest is at
risk, they may abandon it. If nests are disturbed at this stage of
nesting, there may not be sufficient time to re-nest. All disturbances to
nests during the early part of the nesting cycle must be avoided (avoid
nest sites from late May through to mid-July).
2)
Individuals show variability in their response to disturbance:
Different birds will show different responses to varying levels of
disturbance. This may result from the general health of the bird,
weather conditions, previous life experiences, and adaptability.
Therefore, treat all nest sites with equal precaution, regardless of the
response of the bird. Do not disturb raptor nests during conditions of
poor weather (rain, snow, high winds).
3)
Approaching the nest site near the time of fledgling (where chicks fly
from the nest) often leads to premature nest departure:
During the last few weeks of nesting, severe disturbance at the nest
often causes young raptors to jump out of the nest. This can cause
death from exposure, predation, starvation, or trauma from the fall
itself. All activity within 100m of a nest site during the latter part of the
nest stage (10-20 August for peregrine falcons in this region) must be
avoided.
Further details on raptor nests and disturbance mitigation can be obtained from
the Wildlife Officer in communities closest to the area of interest, or from the
Ecosystems Biologist (Michael Setterington, 867-857-2828).
4.
Carnivores
Bears, wolves and foxes will likely have dens in the area of the planned activities.
Efforts must be made to avoid any disturbance of identified active denning area.
DoE is also concerned that there may be possible attraction of carnivores The
proponent is advised to minimize odors that potentially attract carnivores through
timely camp housekeeping. Should the proponent experience any interaction with
carnivores, they are advised they should contact the local wildlife officer.
All bear encounters should be systematically reported to the Wildlife Officer in the
closest community.
Muskoxen
Muskoxen are known to be present in this area, but are thought to be present in
very low numbers. Kugaaruk HTO is conducting some research to assess the
Muskox population in the area. DoE request that all muskox sightings (Number,
location, and number of calves) be recorded by the proponent and reported to
the local Wildlife Officer. This will complement the work of the HTO and provide
valuable baseline data, should the project develop further.
We thank the NIRB for giving us the opportunity to review this application.
Please contact me if you have any further questions or comments.
Sincerely,
Original signed by
Mike Atkinson
Manager Land Use and Environmental Assessment
Department of Environment
C/O Environmental Protection
Government of Nunavut
Box 1000, Stn. 1360
Iqaluit, NU, X0A 0H0
Ph:
Fax:
(867) 975-5912
(867) 975-5981