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Mary River Project - Environmental Impact Statement (Freshwater Component)

The Mary River Project is an approved iron ore mine owned by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation, and located on Baffin Island, Nunavut. The project is an open pit mining operation with shipment of ore from a deep sea port. Potential effects to waterbodies and aquatic species in the vicinity of the mine site and along a proposed rail route that would be used to transport iron ore south to Steensby Inlet were the focus of the freshwater environment component of the environmental assessment for this project.

NSC's role in the project:

• Participated in the design, implementation, and reporting for freshwater environment baseline studies, and were part of the team (together with Knight Piésold) that prepared the freshwater environment component of the draft and final Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS and FEIS, respectively) and the Early Revenue Phase (ERP) Addendum to the FEIS.
• Provided information to support the Fisheries Act Authorization and liaised with regulatory authorities.
• Contributed to the design of the Aquatic Effects Monitoring Plan (AEMP) and Core Receiving Environment Monitoring Plan (CREMP), including a detailed review of baseline data to inform the level of effort that should be put into monitoring.
• Annually monitored fish passage, aquatic habitat, and habitat compensation along the Milne Inlet Tote Road.
• Completed stream assessments for the proposed north rail line in relation to a potential Mine Expansion Development.