Conservation
In 1974 Norlands Petroleum Ltd is given approval-in-principle to drill an exploratory well in the middle of Lancaster Sound. Community opposition leads to the creation of an Environmental Assessment Review Panel that recommends in 1978 that Norlands proposal not be allowed until they can explain how exploratory drilling was compatible with current and future uses in Lancaster Sound.
This area is not yet represented in the Canadian national marine conservation areas systems even though an attempt to do so at the request of local Inuit was made in 1987.
A preliminary Minerals and Energy Resource Assessment to create a National Marine Park is completed in 1989.
On December 8, 2009, Canadian Environment Minister, Jim Prentice announced a $5 million feasibility study for a new national marine conservation area (NMCA) in Lancaster Sound.
A National Marine Conservation Area designation precludes oil and gas development, and so questions arose when the Nunavut Impact Review Board approved a NRCAN Geological Survey of Canada proposal to perform seismic testing for oil within Lancaster and Jones Sound in August and September, 2010. The new seismic tests were not part of the Mineral and Energy Resource Assessment (MERA) process necessary in establishing new parks. In June 2010, communities and groups came out against seismic testing in Lancaster and Jones Sound. In late June planned seismic tests were apparently scaled back. But then in late July NRCan announced that plans for seismic testing were proceeding despite the unanimous opposition of Inuit communities and supporting organizations. In a major ruling on Aug 8, 2010 a Nunavut court sided with Inuit and stopped the planned seismic testing citing the risks to marine animals and cultural heritage. The federal Conservative government announced on December 6, 2010 that it will establish the boundaries of a new marine park in Lancaster Sound.
In 2012 the Qikiqtani Inuit Association issued a report on Lancaster Sound for North Baffin communities entitled: “Tallurutiup Taringa Inulik: Inuit Participation in Determining the Future of Lancaster Sound”. The report has two stated purposes; to provide Nunavut Land Claims Beneficiaries with an introduction to the proposed Lancaster Sound National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA), and, to inform Parks Canada, the Government of Nunavut and those interested of Inuit perspectives on marine conservation. This report explains what an NMCA is, the history surrounding interests in Lancaster Sound, the importance of where boundaries are suggested, and discussion on the realities of Inuit cooperative management in Nunavut. "This report has been titled, Tallurutiup Tariunga Inulik, which means 'Lancaster Sound has people' and also 'Lancaster Sound has Inuit.' It is from the perspective of a homeland that QIA approaches discussions related to this great region."
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Famous quotes containing the word conservation:
“The putting into force of laws which shall secure the conservation of our resources, as far as they may be within the jurisdiction of the Federal Government, including the more important work of saving and restoring our forests and the great improvement of waterways, are all proper government functions which must involve large expenditure if properly performed.”
—William Howard Taft (1857–1930)
“A country grows in history not only because of the heroism of its troops on the field of battle, it grows also when it turns to justice and to right for the conservation of its interests.”
—Aristide Briand (1862–1932)