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Joint Review Panel Hearings and Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary, NWT

by admin ~ November 20th, 2006

Imperial Oil and Shell Canada are proposing an airstrip, large camp, and processing facilities on 3.5 sq. km of land in the 600 sq. km Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary in the Mackenzie River Delta. Hearings are currently taking place in Inuvik (Nov. 22-25) and Yellowknife (Dec. 5-8th) – but dates frequently change. The hearings are part of the Joint Review Panel gathering information on social and environmental impacts, but Environment Canada sets the terms for development. There are currently three airstrips within reach of the refuge, but Imperial Oil feels another one is necessary (to improve travel times, and access to proposed drilling sites at Taglu and Niglintgak). According to the Canadian Wildlife Service, “The significance of effects of seismic exploration on migratory birds and their habitat in arctic environments is unknown.” CBC reports that Regulations at the Kendall Island Bird Sanctuary do not protect the area from oil and gas development. In September, Environment Canada inadvertently issued a drilling permit to Chevron for the Sanctuary, which it cited as a “unique mistake.” Environmental groups claim the error was an indication of pressure on the Government to approve the deal. Anybody wishing to learn more about the proposed development can get further information at the following web sites:

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