Terms of Reference

Science Review of the Addendum to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for Baffinland’s Mary River Project

Regional Science Response Process – Central and Arctic Region

September 19, 2013
Winnipeg, MB (teleconference/WebEx)

Chairperson: Kathleen Martin

Context

The Mary River Project is a proposed iron ore mine located at Mary River on North Baffin Island in Nunavut. Planned Project operations include mining, crushing, screening, rail transport and marine shipping of high grade iron ore. At the request of the DFO Habitat Management Program , DFO Science conducted technical reviews of the marine component of both the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DFO 2012a) and the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) (DFO 2012b), particularly as it related to marine mammals and shipping.

The Nunavut Impact Review Board issued the Project Certificate to Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (BIM) in December 2012 authorizing the Mary River Project to proceed to the regulatory phase. However given current financial costs and risks associated with the Project, BIM decided to take a phased-in approach beginning with a smaller, less-costly option which they have called the Early Revenue Phase (ERP). The ERP would include development of a nominal 3.5 Mt/a road haulage operation from Mary River to a small port facility at Milne Inlet for shipping of iron ore during the open water season (July 15 to October 15).

In late June 2013, BIM submitted an FEIS Addendum for the ERP to the FEIS to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) which describes the activities associated with the ERP and provides an updated effects assessment. On August 15, 2013, the NIRB initiated the 60-day public technical review period of the Project. DFO Science was asked by the Fisheries Protection Program to review and provide advice on the FEIS Addendum, particularly as it relates to marine mammals and shipping.

Objectives

The objectives of this review are to assess whether the FEIS Addendum for the ERP provides sufficient evidence to support the Proponent’s conclusions regarding potential ecosystem impacts of the Mary River Project ERP on marine aquatic species and habitats, especially increased shipping activities on marine mammals, by…

1. assessing the quality of information presented in the FEIS Addendum, whether any relevant information is missing and if there are gaps in the analyses,
2. determining if appropriate methods were used in the FEIS Addendum to develop conclusions, and if the information presented supports those conclusions,
3. identifying any terms and conditions in the Mary River Project Certificate, which were developed for Steensby Inlet, Foxe Basin and Hudson Strait as part of the Project outlined in the FEIS that require reconsideration or amendment in light of the Addendum proposal.
4. determining the appropriateness and adequacy of proposed mitigation and monitoring measures in the FEIS Addendum, and
5. if necessary, recommending additional or alternative mitigation measures (that may be more appropriate) to reduce or avoid impacts to fish and fish habitat, including marine mammals.

Expected Publication

• Science Response

Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science and Ecosystems and Fisheries Management sectors)
• Other invited experts

References

DFO. 2012a. Technical Review of Baffinland’s Mary River Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Advis. Rep. 2011/065.

DFO. 2012b. Science review of Baffinland’s Mary River Project final environmental impact statement. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2012/016.