New draft Nunavut land use plan protects core caribou habitat

Hunters and trappers organizations and environmental groups are pleased with the protection of caribou habitatin the final draft of the Nunavut Land Use Planreleased Friday, but concerned about a lack of protection for key areas used by polar bears.

Hunters and trappers groups across Nunavuthavebeen campaigning for caribou protection for years in the face of increasing demands from mining companies interested in exploration and mining.

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"I'm really happy about that, we've been fighting for this for many years," said BarnieAggarkthe mayor of Chesterfield Inlet and chair of the local hunters and trappers organization.

"We'd like to see them protected as much as we could."

Communities who rely on some of the last great migratory caribou herds in North America were concerned in March when the government of Nunavutunexpectedlyreversed its position on caribou protection, suggesting decisions on development in the calving grounds could be made on a case-by-case basis.

"Core-calving areas areof critical importance for maintaining healthy caribou populations," the planning commission's final draft document reads. "They are also the place where caribou are most vulnerable to disturbance. The impacts of exploration and development cannot be effectively mitigated in core-calving areas."

Aggark agrees.

"Once the land is disturbed it's going to be a lot harder for them to go back on their regular routes," he said.

Less protection for polar bears

Paul Crowley, director ofWWF-Canada'sArctic program, was also pleased with the draft plan's stance on caribou.

"We really applaud what the NPC has done," he said.

However, Crowley said the document does raise some concerns when it comes to polar bear denning areas.

"These are no longer covered by special management areas," Crowleysaid.

"They're in mixed use areas, so that's a concern to us and we know it's a concern to other groups such as the Qikiqtaaluk Wildlife Board."

More consultations coming

When the plan is finalized, it will becomeNunavut'sfirst territory-wide land use plan.

The document is intended to dictate the use of the various land and marine areas in the territory, balancing environmental, social and economic needs.

It has to take into consideration wildlife habitat protection, traditional ice travel routes and areas that could be developed for industry and tourism.

"It's a living document," saidSharonEhaloak, the Nunavut Planning Commission'sexecutive director.

"If it's stimulating conversation, we're very pleased to hear that because it's very important that we hear from Nunavummiut, and it's very important we hear from government, industry, all our planning partners, NTI, the designated Inuit organizations, the HTOs, the communities, everyone."

The commission is still planning regional consultations with planning partners with hopes of holding a public hearing inMarch, subject to funding.

In 2014, the public hearings were cancelled because the commission said it hadn't received enough money from the federal government.

The plan will ultimately have to be approved by thefederal government,territorial government and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.