2007 Annual Report - Institute for Environmental Monitoring and ...

P a g e 4 I n s t i t u t e f o r E n v i r o n m e n t a l M o n i t o r i n g a n d R e s e a r c h 2 0 0 7 A n n u a l R e p o r tStatementfrom the ChairThis 2007 Annual Report represents the secondyear of operation for the Institute for EnvironmentalMonitoring and Research (IEMR) under the revisedMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with theDepartment of National Defence (DND).To comply with the revised MOU, the Institute hasrevised many of its operational procedures. AllInstitute monitoring and research initiatives for 2007were initiated following a public tendering process.The Institute specified the responsibility anddeliverables for each contract, and the contractorswere responsible to ensure that all the necessarypermits and documents were obtained from theAboriginal, Provincial and Federal agencies.The Institute modified its data reporting procedureswith DND in order to comply with the operationalrequirements of 5 Wing Goose Bay. The Instituteand DND continue to review and adjust themonitoring priorities in order to enhance the viabilityof the revised training program while ensuring theconcerns of the Aboriginal people and the protectionof the natural environment are maintained.The members of the Scientific Review Committee(SRC) have continued to play a key role in ensuringthat credible science-based information is collectedon noise disturbance associated with new trainingvenues and that appropriate mitigation measures areimplemented by DND. The SRC, along with itsassociated committees of technical experts, havebeen actively involved with the refinement of theBoomCast model which will assist in predictingsupersonic noise level thresholds at varying altitudes.The SRC and the technical committees continueto address the knowledge gaps associated with theeffects of noise disturbance from various militarytraining initiatives to ensure an appropriate level ofprotection, particularly for species that have beengranted special protection status, and also specieswhich are of particular concerns to the Aboriginalpeople.With the introduction of the Species at Risk Act(SARA) Legislation, the Institute has undertaken acomplete review of the valued ecosystem components(VECs) listing which was developed in thepreparation of the original Environmental ImpactStatement (EIS). In the course of its continueddiscussions with the Aboriginal communities, theInstitute has initiated a comprehensive review of theVECs which may be impacted by noise associatedwith the military training program.The Institute continues to assist in facilitatingmeetings with DND and the Aboriginalrepresentatives to address issues of particularconcern to the Aboriginal communities.Through its publications and web site, theInstitute provides an open forum where interestedindividuals can have access to the monitoring andeffects research reports produced by the Institute.As future military training initiatives associated withGoose Bay continue to be defined, the Institute willneed to adjust its monitoring initiatives to ensurethat the wildlife populations are protected fromadverse noise disturbance. It is essential that theInstitute continues to work in close collaborationwith DND and the provincial governments to ensurethat each training initiative proposed is evaluatedwithin an adaptive mitigation framework whichrespects the management responsibilities of both5 Wing Goose Bay and D Air CFG. This will ensurethat any new information associated with the impactsof noise disturbance is integrated into the mitigationprogram in a timely fashion to ensure theprotection of the wildlife population and theviability of the military program.Louis LaPierre, Ph.D.Institute ChairDr. Louis LaPierre