From: Gary Clements [gclem@visi.com]
Sent: December 15, 2008 10:51 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

Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Red

Greetings to the Nunavut Impact Review Board,

Though I am not a Canadian resident, I am a fond neighbor who has traveled by auto, and by canoe in various parts of Canada, including the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, over the past 40 years.

 

I have recently become aware of the changing ecological face of this vast and beautiful territory now known as Nunavut, particularly in regard to the diminishing caribou population. In regard to this, I can’t help but think that a variety of factors are involved, some of which we can control by our immediate decisions. So, I am asking you to deny Uravan Mineral's application for mineral development (of uranium) on the calving grounds of the Beverly Caribou Herd.

 

I know from my reading, and from my own conversations with native people whom I have encountered on my trips, that there is still much reliance on the caribou for their livelihood. This would be reason enough to do whatever we can to protect this valuable resource.  But also, as a traveler who has marveled at the amazing spectacle of these animals, who are so much a part of what these lands are all about, I feel that mineral exploration could wait, at least until the causes of the decline are better understood.

 

This much could be done by the decision makers, now.

Thanks for your consideration,

A neighbor,

 

Gary Clements,

1362 Lincoln Ave.

St. Paul, MN 55105