Terms of Reference

Review of the Dominion Diamond Ekati ULC Jay Project Offsetting Plan

Regional Science Response Process – Central and Arctic Region

March 28, 2018
Teleconference/WebEx
Winnipeg, MB

Chairperson: Joclyn Paulic

Context

Dominion Diamond Ekati ULC (Dominion or the Proponent) is expected to apply for a Fisheries Act authorization 35(2)(b) for the construction of a dyke, dewatering a portion of Lac du Sauvage, and diverting a portion of two streams around the pipe area to develop the Jay pipe mining operation (Jay Project). The Proponent has estimated the biomass (productivity) that will be lost during the life of the mine operation. To offset this loss, in consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Fisheries Protection Program (FPP) and local communities, the Proponent has proposed to conduct an egg stocking program for Inconnu (Stenodus leucichthys) in the Yellowknife River, NT. The Proponent has described their proposed offsetting plan in a document submitted to DFO FPP called the “Jay Project Final Offsetting Plan, January 2018”. FPP has requested DFO Science conduct a review of the proposed offsetting plan. 

Objective

The objectives of the peer review are:

1. to evaluate the Proponent’s predicted biomass gains (i.e., fish production model), habitat suitability models and other models proposed by the Proponent;
2. to evaluate whether the Inconnu stocking program will generate self-sustaining benefits over the long-term (i.e., meet Principal #4 of DFOs Fisheries Productivity Investment Policy: A proponent’s Guide to Offsetting); and,
3. to identify if the offsetting plan will impact research projects in support of the sustainable management of the fisheries of Great Slave Lake. 

Expected Publications

• Science Response

Expected Participation

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