Base de données de recherche des TNO

Régions: North Slave Region

étiquettes: biology, caribou, wildlife, wildlife monitoring, ecology

Objectif(s): The objective of this research is to develop, using an ecology based approach, scientifically rigorous guidelines for impact assessment and monitoring of caribou for the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board and Nunavut Impact Review Board (the Boards).

Description du projet: The objective of this research is to develop, using an ecology based approach, scientifically rigorous guidelines for impact assessment and monitoring of caribou for the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board and Nunavut Impact Review Board (the Boards). This is being done so that the information collected by proponents allows for more reliable differentiation between natural variation in key aspects of caribou ecology and changes caused by development. The development of scientifically rigorous guidance documents and their consistent implementation by the Boards for all projects would also contribute to more consistent and comparable data collection on a regional and transboundary level thus improving Cumulative Effects Assessment as well. Methods to collect information for this thesis include literature searches and key informant interviews with biologists and impact assessment specialists. The researcher will conduct interviews with NWT government biologists and impact assessment specialists to obtain information for his thesis. Participation would involve answering some questions about impact assessment, data collection methods, cumulative effects, and/or environmental assessment decision-making legislation. The interview would require about 60 minutes. Most interviews will occur outside of the NWT at the Nunavut biologist meeting in Iqaluit Nunavut. Additional interviews may be conducted by telephone or in person in Yellowknife though. The results of the research will be communicated to the NIRB and MVEIRB. This will be done by organizing a presentation of the guidelines and regular mail delivery of copies of the thesis. NOTE: Although the MVEIRB is part of the intended audience/recipient list of the guidance document (terms of reference for proponents) on caribou impact assessment and monitoring, the MVEIRB has not commissioned the work, Mr. Lines is not a contractor or employee of this organization and he is not acting on their behalf. Mr. Lines has identified the need for this work on his own through his own experiences with mining projects in the north and he is working independently as a student and will offer the results to the MVEIRB as a recommendation. Fieldwork will be conducted from November 14, 2007 to April 30, 2008 in Yellowknife [interviews by phone or in person with GNWT or MVEIRB members & staff only (most interviews outside the NWT though)].