NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: water quality, mining impacts, wildlife, environmental baseline, habitat, sonar survey, noise pollution

Project Description: Baseline studies in the Gahcho Kue (Kennady Lake) area, in conjunction with the DeBeers Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Project, have been ongoing since 1998. AMEC Earth and Environmental has been contracted by DeBeers to conduct these studies. This year, independent of the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board's regulatory requirements*, two studies are planned to be conducted in the project area: a wolverine DNA study using hair samples (coordinated through Environment and Natural Resources and DeBeers), and an aquatic acoustic noise study of lake locations close to a large diameter drilling site using hydrophones to record sound levels in order to determine the effects of the noise on fish behaviour. * N.B. DeBeers has entered the project approval process with an application to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board. In anticipation of regulatory review of its Developer's Assessment Report by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, DeBeers approximates that the following additional baseline information may be requested: caribou distribution and movement in spring, summer and fall; studies of upland game birds, breeding birds and water birds nesting and feeding in spring, summer and fall; additional vegetation and soil surveys at the project site, along the winter road route from MacKay Lake to Gahcho Kue as well as in other locations in the surrounding region in the summer; water quality and water flow studies near the project site in the spring, summer and fall; additional air quality and noise studies at the project site; and additional fisheries population and/or habitat studies in lakes in the region not previously sampled. Such studies will not be carried out until the Developer's Assessment Report is under review. Project work will be conducted from June 27 to October 31, 2006 at Gahcho Kue (63.4453ºN 109.2119ºW).