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

6. Description of the Existing EnvironmentComprehensive baseline environmental studies were conducted in the Project Area in 2007, andare planned to continue in 2008. The following components were monitored as part of the 2007baseline studies:• Meteorology and Permafrost;• Hydrology;• Freshwater Water Quality, Sediment Quality, and Aquatic Biology;• Freshwater Fish and Fish Habitat;• Marine Water Quality, Sediment Quality, and Aquatic Biology;• Marine Fish Habitat;• Wildlife, including Caribou, Muskox, Birds, Waterfowl, Raptors, Dens, Small Mammals;• Mapping, Vegetation, and Soils;• Archaeology;• Minesite Drainage Chemistry;• Public Consultation;• Traditional Knowledge;• Socio-Economic; and• Land Use.Results from the 2007 baseline studies are currently being written as a series of baseline reports.Historical and/or regional information is available for some environmental components. Specificreports are cited in the sections below where applicable.6.1 Physical Environment6.1.1 Regional SettingThe Hackett River Project is located in the West Kitikmeot region of Nunavut at approximately65˚ 55’ North Latitude, 108˚ 30’ West Longitude, approximately 75 km south of the southernportion of Bathurst Inlet.The mine site area lies within the Takijuq Lake Uplands ecoregion, which covers the southcentral portion of the West Kitikmeot region. This area is made up of broad, sloping uplands,plateaus, and lowlands, along with the rugged ridges of the Bathurst Hills (WKRLUP, 2005).Much of the area is largely composed of unvegetated rock outcrops and boulder fields.The port site area lies within the Bathurst Hills ecoregion, which extends by Bathurst Inlet andalong the coastline of Coronation Gulf, and includes offshore islands. The landscape isJanuary 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 6–1 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)