080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Description of the Existing Environmentthe caribou hunt (or other big game) due to financial restrictions, distance, or other factors(Department of Environment, 2007).Hunters and trappers in the Kitikmeot Region are also represented by the Kitikmeot Hunters andTrappers Association, a regional body which oversees harvesting activities. In addition, theNunavut Wildlife Management Bureau (NWMB) is responsible for wildlife managementthroughout the territory; NWMB liaises with local and regional HTOs and other groups, as wellas the Nunavut Planning Commission and the Nunavut Impact Review Board – all of which wereestablished under the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement (NLCA) to manage Inuit lands andresources.6.3.4.3 Non-Traditional Land UseNon-traditional use of lands and resources in the Kitikmeot region is focused on the tourism andmining industries.TourismThe Bathurst Inlet Lodge, an ecotourism venture located in the community of Kingaok, is one ofthe main tourism activities based in the regional area of the Project. The lodge is housed at anold Hudson Bay Company post, and markets the natural and cultural environment of the area totourists. Established in 1969, the lodge is co-owned by the local Inuit, and has been lauded asone of the best eco-lodges in northern Canada and the world (Bathurst Inlet Lodge, 2007).In partnership with Nahanni River Adventures, the lodge offers river rafting and canoeing onrivers throughout the area, including Burnside River, Mara River, and Hackett River (BathurstInlet Lodge, 2007). Hiking, fishing, canoeing and sightseeing flights are also popular; ancientInuit heritage sites are an attraction, and a variety of birds and wildlife can also be viewed.Bathurst Inlet and Kingaok are also a popular destination for sea-kayakers, however, water sportsare limited to the summer months (July/August) to avoid ice formation (Bathurst Inlet Lodge,2007).Bathurst Arctic Services runs wilderness trips throughout the Arctic, including remote flights,hunting, fishing and camping. This company also operates remote camps for tourists, includingtheir Burnside River Lodge, near Kathawachaga Lake, which has five separate insulated cabins.Activities at these camps include watersports (canoeing, kayaking, rafting) and sport-fishing.The West Kitikmeot Regional Land Use Plan specifies tourism as a priority for further economicdevelopment in the region. Various ecotourism opportunities are identified, including dogsleddingand bird watching tours. The importance of local waters – including the Burnside,Mara and Hood rivers – for rafting and canoeing activities is also identified (WKRLUP, 2005).The Plan also stipulates that future development of land not interfere with existing tourismoperations (Conformity Requirement 2.3; WKRLUP, 2005).January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–31 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)