From: Sylvia R. Saunders [rushes@nb.sympatico.ca]
Sent: December 8, 2008 8:53 AM
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

  Re:Caribou Crisis in the Barren Lands


I am e-mailing you from Intervale in the Province of New Brunswick, to urge you to deny Uravan Mineral's application for mineral development (of uranium) on the calving grounds of the Beverly Caribou Herd whose numbers are seriously depleted. As yet the reasons remain for unproven. 


We in NB have, as recently as this past spring and summer, gone through anxious times lobbying our government to disallow uranium exploration because of its disastrous implications for human health and environmental pollution. The mining companies have temporarily given up, but no one really believes we have seen the last of them and we continue to be vigilant. What is required is a change to the mining laws in this country. It is far too easy for anyone or his dog to apply for and obtain a prospecting licence, for anywhere (including under their neighbor's front lawn). 


Such a development as is proposed can not in any way improve the caribou situation and it will make the situation worse. It is essential that the NIRB send a clear signal to the mining industry that mineral development on the calving grounds is out of the question. To do otherwise is to accept the decline of the caribou population as unimportant to people who depend on these animals, both physically and culturally. These caribou provide millions of dollars worth of meat annually to the residents and user-communities in Nunavut, NWT, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Not protecting caribou also contradicts the broad desires of Canadians to see this iconic species and its habitat protected for future generations.
Yours truly,



Sylvia Saunders
MEADOW VIEW FARM
800 Route 885, Intervale, NB
E4Z 4Y7
rushes@nb.sympatico.ca
Tel:506-756-2987 Fax:756-2452