WWF applauds caribou habitat protection measures in draft Nunavut Land Use Plan
IQALUIT, NUNAVUT, July 8, 2016 – WWF-Canada commends the Nunavut Planning Commission for including strong protections for critical caribou habitat in the final draft of the Nunavut Land Use Plan, which will help the recovery of herds that have suffered drastic declines.
This draft of the Land Use Plan now prohibits mineral exploration and production, quarries and roads on core calving habitat as well as the key access corridors that caribou use to get to their calving grounds.
The new protections, announced June 23, extend to freshwater crossing areas, and include ice-breaking prohibitions for winter sea ice crossings which impact the Dolphin-Union and Peary caribou herds.
These habitat protection measures have been identified by caribou biologists and traditional knowledge holders as being critical to the recovery of caribou herds.
Caribou herds across Nunavut are in a perilous situation, with most herds declining rapidly due to natural fluctuations and environmental stressors, some by as much as 90 per cent. Caribou are most sensitive to disturbance when migrating to, and when on, their calving grounds.
While the Land Use Plan protects caribou, the latest draft has removed the suggestion that polar bear denning areas should be designated as Special Management Areas. This draft plan does not provide prohibitions on land use, including noisy industrial activities which can disturb mothers and their newborn cubs in their winter dens.
WWF will continue to work with the Regional Wildlife Organizations of Nunavut and the Commission to ensure that identified polar bear denning areas are safeguarded.
Quote from Paul Crowley, VP Arctic, WWF-Canada
“WWF-Canada is pleased with the considerable progress the Nunavut Planning Commission has made with this latest draft Land Use Plan. The health of caribou populations has finally been given appropriate consideration. We hope that parties with visions of short-term profits will not look to undermine these protections that communities have so clearly asked for.”
“By setting clear restrictions and guidelines, the Commission isn’t only protecting caribou, but they are providing a reliable roadmap for sustainable development. Companies will now know precisely which areas are off-limits, allowing businesses, communities and regulators to avoid long and expensive assessments in areas that are too sensitive for development, as was the case with the Back River Gold Mine Project.”
“We look forward to working with the Commission and our many local partners to see this plan implemented next year.”
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For further information
Rebecca Spring, Arctic communications specialist, [email protected], +1 647-338-6274