NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Inuvialuit Settlement Region

Tags: environmental assessment, traditional knowledge, archaeology, ecological survey

Objective(s): The assessment component of this project will focus on identifying and documenting valued biophysical and archaeological components in the vicinity of proposed winter activities (i.e. proposed roads, well sites, and campsites). Information collected during the study will be used in planning and determining appropriate locations for 2009/2010 drilling activity.

Project Description: The assessment component of this project will focus on identifying and documenting valued biophysical and archaeological components in the vicinity of proposed winter activities (i.e. proposed roads, well sites, and campsites). Information collected during the study will be used in planning and determining appropriate locations for 2009/2010 drilling activity. Recommended set-back distances will be applied where areas of sensitive wildlife habitat and rare plants are indentified at selected sites. Prior to Project start-up, a reconnaissance level program will be completed to investigate potential project activity sites. Selected sites identified during the earlier reconnaissance include: • potential component activity sites within exploration areas • potential overland access routes for the projects Helicopter-supported field surveys will be conducted following a flight plan designed to visit selected sites identified by MGM, while minimizing flightlines to the extent possible. Occupants of the helicopter may include: one pilot; one MGM representative; one ecologist; one archaeologist; and one wildlife monitor. The assessment is scheduled to occur over 2-3 days in July-September 2009. On ground times for this component will be approximately 4 hours for each selected site. Each selected site will be assessed for biophysical/archaeological components. Assessment areas for selected sites are: • proposed access route alignment will be assessed within a 50 m buffer for optimal placement • wellsite & campsite evaluations will include a 250 m radius site inspection Assessments will include photo documentation and visual observations to characterize each site for vegetation features. Traditional knowledge will be incorporated into the Project to the extent possible. The Inuvialuit Cultural Resource Center will be consulted to obtain information on heritage sites and traditional land use. A wildlife monitor familiar with the assessment areas will accompany all field crews to provide traditional land use information. Permits to carry out the archaeological fieldwork and conduct the associated file search will be obtained from the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre. Wildlife Research Permit will be obtained for the fieldwork associated with land animals and wildlife habitats. Benefits of project: hiring of wildlife monitor(s) and chartering of helicopter for the period required to complete the field work. Also local economic benefits to hotels and restaurants in the community from the research team. MGM will fulfill the Aurora Research Permit reporting requirements that specify a 200 word summary of research findings. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted between July 01 and September 30, 2009, on Inuvialuit Concession Lands (Inuvik Block 1 & 2) in the Mackenzie Delta.