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

Identification of Potential Cumulative Environmental EffectsClimate, air quality, and noiseAll activities in Nunavut affect these physical environmental components. The Hackett RiverProject, as a potential user of BIPR, will add to the vehicle and ship traffic, vehicle and shipemissions, and noise associated with BIPR.Surface and groundwater quality and quantityThere are no other past, present, or foreseeable future projects within the regional watershed ofthe Hackett River project. As such, the potential for cumulative effects on these environmentalcomponents is minimal. The exception is the use of the BIPR road. Increased vehicle trafficcould potentially increase dust (minimal effects on surface water quality), and potentiallyincrease the risk of accidents and spills (adverse effects on surface water quality).Freshwater aquatic organisms and fishAs with surface water, there is no potential for cumulative effects on freshwater organisms andfish from the Hackett mine site and other projects. However, the use of the BIPR road will addto vehicle traffic and the potential for accidents and spills, which could affect aquatic organismsand fish.Ecosystems and vegetationThe Hackett River mine site does not have the potential of interacting with any other projects toadversely affect ecosystems and vegetation. However, the increase in vehicle traffic on the BIPRroad could potentially increase dust and affect vegetation adjacent to the road.CaribouBecause of the large migration patterns of caribou, these animals have the greatest chance ofbeing affected by multiple activities in Nunavut. The protection of caribou in Nunavut requireshigh level, intergovernmental coordination, along with cooperation of projects and communities.Several herds have the potential to be affected by the Hackett River Project and otherproject/activities. The Bathurst, Ahiak, Dolphin and Union, and Peary herds have ranges thatpotentially encompass the Hackett mine and/or its access via the BIPR road and shipping route.Potential cumulative effects on these herds include habitat loss, disturbance, disruption ofmovement, a reduction in reproductive productivity, and indirect or direct mortality.MuskoxMuskox do not have large migration ranges as do caribou. Their home range size is typicallyaround 70 km 2 (Reynolds, 1998). The Hackett River Project is close enough to one potentialdevelopment (George Lake, Back River Project) to potentially result in cumulative effects toMuskox. The BIPR road is also within 70 km of the Hackett River mine site. Hackett River willalso contribute to more vehicle traffic along the northern portion of the BIPR road. Miningactivities and road use could potentially cause the disruption of movement and disturbance ofMuskox, among other effects.January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 8–2 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)