Transcript 090421-03MN107-DFO Presentation-IMAE.ppt

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
Outline
1.
2.
3.
4.
DFO Mandate
Meadowbank EA
Potential Impacts from
Requested Amendments
Conclusion
Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB Public Hearing 2009
Mandate
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
Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB Public Hearing 2009
Regulatory Role
• 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
Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB Public Hearing 2009
DFO’s EA Submissions
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.
Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB 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.
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Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB 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.
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Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB 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.
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Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB 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.
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Meadowbank Gold Project
NIRB Public Hearing 2009
Matna, Thank You
Questions?