From: Genny Cardin [gcardin@genomecanada.ca]
Sent: December 3, 2008 3:37 PM
To: lpayette@nirb.ca
Cc: Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca; Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca; DShewchuk@gov.nu.ca
Subject: Uravan Garry Lake Project, NIRB File 08EN037

Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB)

Dear Sir/Madam:

It has come to my attention that Uravan Mineral has applied for mineral development of uranium on the calving grounds of the Beverly caribou herd.  I urge you to deny this application to ensure that the Beverly herd is given every opportunity to recover from the tragic decline it has suffered over the past several years.

I had the opportunity to visit the barren lands this past summer and was moved by the beauty of the landscape.  There were signs of caribou everywhere - trails, antlers - but not one caribou.  This was in a part of the barrens where the Beverly herd were formerly found.  A portion of the decline of the herd may be attributable to natural cycles - hard to tell since we know so little about these creatures - but if their calving grounds are allowed to be exploited for industrial purposes, what chance of recovery will the Beverly herd have?

Most of the caribou's calving grounds are in Nunavut and so it falls to the government of Nunavut to protect one of Canada's national treasures.
Please consider in your deliberations the value to future generations of continuation of the great Canadian caribou herds. Thank you.

Genny Cardin
Ottawa, Ontario