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

Description of the Existing Environment1961), which is a legislated conservation area and a wetland of international importance, as itsupports nearly the entire global population of Ross’ Geese (WKRLUP, 2005).North of the Hackett River Project, on Hood River, Wilberforce Falls is a designatedconservation zone. This region has cultural importance for local Inuit, as well as being adestination for tourists (NPC, 2004).East of Bathurst Inlet, the Hiukitiak River watershed is also a conservation zone, a designationwhich arose largely from a request by residents of Omingmaktok, due to its importance as atraditional harvesting area for fish and wildlife (NPC, 2004).6.3.5 Local and Regional Traffic PatternsRegional traffic patterns are dominated by air travel. Other traffic includes barge, ATV andtravel by snowmobile during winter months. Cruise ships also operate in the area. There are noroads between the Kitikmeot communities.All Kitikmeot communities, with the exception of Bathurst Inlet and Omingmaktok, areaccessible by scheduled air travel provided by First North and Canadian North. Air travel isused for cargo deliveries as well as passenger travel. All communities are serviced by charteredair travel. A weekly charter flight from Yellowknife travels to Bathurst Inlet during theoperating season of the Bathurst Inlet Lodge (usually a 6 week period in the early summer).Sea barges deliver annual provisions to communities during the ice free period. This includesfood, household items and fuel. Most communities have a barge dock facility which receivesbarge service from the Northern Transportation Company or Nunavut Sealift and Supply Inc.each year.Local traffic patterns are seasonally-dependent. During the ice season (usually late November toearly June), travel is dominated by snowmobile and includes travel over ice and travel over landcovered by ice. Travel over land in the ice free period is dominated by ATV use. Boats are alsoused during this period. Kitikmeot residents travel to hunting, fishing and camping areas.6.3.6 Community Profile SummariesThis section provides summaries of the communities of the Kitikmeot region. Whilst thecommunities in closest proximity to the project are Bathurst Inlet (Kinguan), Omingmaktok,Kugluktuk and Cambridge Bay, all the Kitikmeot regional communities have been included asthese are represented by the regional Inuit Association, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KIA).The section begins with an overview summary of the region.6.3.6.1 Kitikmeot RegionThe Kitikmeot region is the most western of the three administrative regions within Nunavut.This Arctic land mass incorporates the southern and eastern parts of Victoria Island and theadjacent part of the mainland up to Boothia Peninsular, along with King William Island and thesouthern portion of Prince of Wales Island.January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–33 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)