NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: contaminants, site remediation, environmental impact, oral history

Objective(s): The objective of this research is to determine the environmental impacts present at the BAR-C û Tununuk site and to develop estimates of the various waste components (hydrocarbon and metal/PCB impacted soils, non-hazardous materials, and hazardous materials).

Project Description: This license has been issued for the scientific research application #889. The goal of this research is to determine the environmental impacts present at the BAR-C – Tununuk site and to develop estimates of the various waste components (hydrocarbon and metal/PCB impacted soils, non-hazardous materials, and hazardous materials). INAC is focused on accelerating the remediation of contaminated sites in the North to protect the health and safety of Aboriginal people, Northerners, and the integrity of the environment through funding provided by the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Program (FCSAP). The work is in response to concerns expressed by the Inuvialuit Land Administration (ILA) and the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC). An environmental assessment will determine the extent of the environmental impacts associated with the site. The information gathered will be used in follow-up discussions with IOL and ILA regarding liability for those impacts. Currently, site infrastructure consists of the following components: Barge Landings; Site Roads; Airstrip; IOL Tank Farm and Fuel Lines; and DEW Line Station Area (built-up pads and 2 remaining buildings). In addition to these components, the site may also have one or more landfills/ covered dumps. This proposed assessment will likely be composed of the following components: soil and sediment sampling; groundwater and surface water sampling; materials sampling (for asbestos, PCB/Lead-amended painted materials, etc); geophysical survey (to determine number, location, and extend of any landfills at the Site); detailed site survey; infrastructure assessment (to determine status of barge landing areas, site roads, and the landing strip; will consider logistics required to conduct any future assessment or potential remediation activities) Part of the environmental site assessment will include a historical review of documents and interviews with persons who have knowledge of the area. These persons may include: local elders and hunters, representatives from applicable government agencies, and persons who were involved with the past DEW Line or Imperial Oil Limited operations at the Site. Verbal consent to participate in the interview will be sought and no personal details will be required or reported. Following the data analysis and reporting, the information gathered will be used to further discussions with IOL and ILA regarding the potential need for supplemental assessment or remediation. Results will also be shared with the Tuktoyaktuk. The study will be conducted from September 08 to December 31, 2008 at BAR-C – Tununuk (100 kilometers from of Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk).