From: Lisa S. [scubadiver@rogers.com]
Sent: December 8, 2008 8:30 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, File - 08EN037

Hi:

I am concerned about the Uravan's plans for mining on the Beverly caribou's calving grounds.   Mineral development, while it can be very localized, can also have severe impacts on the habitat of native species, due to it's potential for large amounts of tailings and other impacts like roads into remote areas, noise, water and air pollution.   In the north, these impacts can spread out over a large area, affecting sensitive groups of animals like caribou.  

While the north is large, the cumulative affects of a number of developments erodes local habitat over time, and at some point reaches a tipping point where populations cannot recover.   Let's not get to that point.   

Development in the north must be carefully managed, not just in isolation but in the big picture, over years.   Until we understand what is causing drastic population  changes, development should be really limited. 

Trusting you will be considering these matters carefully,

Sincerely,
   
Lisa Simkins
Toronto, Ontario
B. Env., University of Waterloo