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Meadowbank Gold Project Re-consideration of Project Certificate Condition 32(a). Nunavut Impact Review Board Public Hearing Baker Lake, Nunavut April 28 – 30, 2009. Meadowbank Gold Project NIRB Public Hearing 2009. 1. DFO Mandate 2. Meadowbank EA
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Meadowbank Gold ProjectRe-consideration of Project Certificate Condition 32(a) Nunavut Impact Review Board Public Hearing Baker Lake, Nunavut April 28 – 30, 2009
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 1.DFO Mandate 2. Meadowbank EA 3. Potential Impacts from Requested Amendments 4. Conclusion Outline
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 To conserve and protect fish and marine mammals and their habitat for all Canadians • Applicable Legislation • Fisheries Act • Species at Risk Act • Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Mandate
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 • Fisheries Act: • s.35 – prohibits the harmful alteration, disruption or destruction (HADD) of fish habitat unless authorized by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans or regulation • s.20 – requires safe fish passage • s.22 – requires sufficient flows • s.30 – requires intakes screens and fishguards • s.32 – prohibits destruction of fish by means other then fishing • s.36 – prohibits the deposit of a deleterious substance, unless authorized under regulations such as the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations • Species at Risk Act, Nunavut Land Claims Agreement Regulatory Role
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 • With respect to the All-Weather Access Road: • DFO’s primary focus was the construction of watercourse crossings and the potential adverse effects to fish and fish habitat. • DFO also considered the potential impacts to fish due to increased fishing pressure from greater public access to waterbodies along the road. DFO’s EA Submissions
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 DFO’s EA Submission (cont.) DFO concluded that fish harvest would likely remain within sustainable limits with: • Controlled public access along the road; • A no-fishing policy for employees; and, • The development, implementation and reporting of a creel survey by Cumberland Resources in collaboration with the local Hunter and Trapper’s Organization.
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 AEM’s requested amendment to Condition 32(a) • DFO did not provide comments to the NIRB regarding the request to install a manned gate house instead of locked gates.
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 Hamlet of Baker Lake’s requested amendment • DFO was concerned that unrestricted public use of the road could increase fishing activity in nearby lakes. • DFO requested that the NIRB consider this in an assessment of the proposed amendment.
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 Conclusion Considering the Amendment proposed on April 6th, 2009, by the Hamlet of Baker Lake, DFO concludes that: • The proposed modification to the Condition 32(a) of the Project Certificate does not change the factors that were previously considered by DFO in 2006; and • DFO’s conclusions and recommendations remain unchanged from 2006: • Controlled road access should help keep fish harvest within sustainable limits • Enforcement of a no-fishing policy for AEM employees while working on the mine site and while using the all-weather road. • Development, implementation and reporting of creel surveys within waterbodies affected by the project.
Meadowbank Gold ProjectNIRB Public Hearing 2009 Matna, Thank You Questions?