From: Linda Pim [lindareanpim@rogers.com]
Sent: December 4, 2008 5:32 PM
To: lpayette@nirb.ca
Cc: Chuck Strahl; Prentice.J@parl.gc.ca; DShewchuk@gov.nu.ca
Subject: Uravan Garry Lake Project, NIRB File 08EN037

Dear Nunavut Impact Review Board:

I am writing to you from Inglewood, Ontario about the above-noted mineral development project because I firmly believe that if it proceeded, it would have potentially devastating impacts on the calving grounds of the Beverly caribou herd.

I had the pleasure and honour of visiting Nunavut in July 2008 for an 11-day canoe trip on the Thelon River, on a 170-mile stretch of the river beginning in the NWT and ending where the river empties into Beverly Lake, south of the calving grounds.  

As you are no doubt aware, the Beverly caribou herd is one of the four major caribou herds in the NWT and Nunavut.  I understand that spring 2008 aerial surveys, by the Beverly-Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board, of the calving grounds of the Beverly herd indicate that the herd has experienced a dramatic collapse --  reduced by possibly over 95% since the last surveys in the early 1990s.  Additionally, I understand that this year's surveys found that the number of calves per 100 cows was only 20% of normal.

I understand that in recent years, at the same time that the Beverly caribou numbers have been dropping, there has simultaneously been an increase in mineral exploration activity on the calving grounds and post-calving areas.  I understand that some mining companies have decided to no longer conduct mining-related activities on the calving grounds because of the potential impacts on the herd.  However, it is clear that some companies wish to continue such activities, since I understand that your review board is currently considering an application from Uravan Minerals for development of their uranium property on the calving grounds of the Beverly herd just south of Garry Lake.

I wish to firmly state that I believe the NIRM must abide by the precautionary principle --  that is, when the science is not yet clear as to the causes of a negative environmental or biological event, we must err on the side of caution.  We do not know why the Beverly herd size has dropped so significantly, but we must understand that mining activities may be a factor.

I  cannot overstate how important I believe the availability of country foods, especially caribou, are to the aboriginal people of Nunavut, both in terms of affordable, nutritious, physical sustenance and in terms of the aboriginal culture.  I was most interested to see the evidence of the long history of aboriginal use of the caribou when, near Thelon Bluffs, our canoeing group viewed Inuit tent circles, a 'caribou fence' and a 'caribou cache.' 

It is essential that the caribou herds of the Canadian North be protected for the future --  for the aboriginal peoples and as well, for the sake of the caribou in their own right.  They are a potent symbol of our wild country and our North, and an economic mainstay for Northerners.  

Please deny Uravan Mineral's application for mineral development on the calving grounds of the Beverly Caribou Herd.

Please keep me informed of your decision on this critically important matter.

Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Linda Pim
93 Lorne Street
Inglewood, Ontario
L7C 1L3
lindareanpim@rogers.com