Terms of Reference

Science Review of the Final Environmental Impact Statement Addendum for the Baffinland Mary River Project Phase 2

Regional Peer Review – Central and Arctic Region

February 5, 2019
Winnipeg, MB

Chairperson: Lianne Postma

Context

The Mary River Project is an operating open pit iron ore mine located on North Baffin Island in Nunavut. The mine site is connected to the Milne Inlet Port via the Milne Inlet Tote Road, and ore is transported to Europe via the Northern Shipping Route through Eclipse Sound, Pond Inlet and Baffin Bay. The Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) issued a Project Certificate to the Proponent Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (BIM) in December 2012, enabling the Mary River Project Northern and Southern routes to proceed to the regulatory phase. However, due to the economy at the time, a phased approach was taken and the Southern Transportation Corridor (i.e., Steensby Inlet) has not yet been constructed to date.

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) for the Project (Northern and Southern routes). A review of the Early Revenue Phase (3.5 million tonnes per annum [Mtpa]) was also conducted by Science (DFO 2013), which only assessed the Northern Transportation Route (i.e., Milne Port). Since then, BIM has successfully submitted for two Project amendments to increase the volume of ore shipments (4.2 Mtpa, 6 Mtpa) at Milne Port.

On October 5, 2018, BIM submitted the Phase 2 Addendum of the FEIS to the NIRB and received conformity, which commenced the technical review. The Phase 2 Addendum describes the activities associated with the second phase of the Project, which includes an increase to a maximum of 12 Mtpa road and rail haulage, infrastructure development at the Milne Port, and increased marine shipping. The FEIS also provides an updated effects assessment based on the additional activities. As part of the technical review stage, DFO Fisheries Protection Program (FPP) has requested that DFO Science review and provide advice on the FEIS Addendum, with an emphasis on the assessment of impacts to marine mammals and the marine environment.

Objective

The objective of this review is to assess whether the Phase 2 Addendum to the FEIS provides sufficient evidence to support the Proponent’s conclusions regarding potential ecosystem impacts of the expanded Mary River Project on marine aquatic species and habitats (particularly as it relates to marine mammals and shipping). More specifically, the objectives are to:

1. assess the quality and adequacy of information presented in the FEIS, and determine if any relevant information is missing and if there are gaps in the analyses;
2. determine if appropriate methods were used in the FEIS to develop conclusions, and if the information presented supports those conclusions;
3. determine the appropriateness and adequacy of the proposed mitigation and monitoring measures in the FEIS, and;
4. if necessary, recommend additional or alternative mitigation and monitoring measures to reduce or avoid impacts to fish and fish habitat, including marine mammals.

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) (Science, and Ecosystem Management sectors)
• Parks Canada

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.

DFO. 2013. Science review of the final environment impact statement addendum for the early revenue phase of Baffinland’s Mary River Project. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Sci. Resp. 2013/024.