Rusting barrels of fuel on the ground and decaying bags of chemicals at the old Nanisivik airport trouble former Arctic Bay mayor Niore Iqalukjuak.
photo courtesy of Niore Iqalukjuak
Iqalukjuak made a trip to the site SA国际影视传媒� approximately 30 km from Arctic Bay by road SA国际影视传媒� on July 21. He documented the poorly-stored contaminants in photographs. He said fuel is leaking from some of the barrels, which are the responsibility of the Government of Nunavut.
SA国际影视传媒淚t had me a bit worried because theySA国际影视传媒檙e up on top of the hill. Every spring during runoff it goes into our water lake. That was concerning to me,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ur Nunavut government seems to want the mining companies to do their due diligence and keep our environment clean. It would be good if they follow what they ask the mining companies to do too.SA国际影视传媒�
Ryan Barry, executive director of the Nunavut Impact Review Board, saw IqalukjuakSA国际影视传媒檚 photos and expressed disapproval of the site conditions.
SA国际影视传媒淣one of those materials should be stored that way, even temporarily,SA国际影视传媒� Barry stated.
photo courtesy of Niore Iqalukjuak
John Hawkins, assistant deputy minister with the Department of Economic Development and Transportation, didnSA国际影视传媒檛 attempt to defend the governmentSA国际影视传媒檚 handling of the hazardous waste since the Nanisivik airport shut down in 2011.
SA国际影视传媒�ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not acceptable,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淭o be totally honest it did fall off the radar for some years.SA国际影视传媒�
The area is now listed in the GNSA国际影视传媒檚 contaminated site inventory.
SA国际影视传媒�WeSA国际影视传媒檙e advancing the plan to fix it,SA国际影视传媒� Hawkins said.
He didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have a firm timeline for when the hazardous waste would be removed, however.
photo courtesy of Niore Iqalukjuak
A site assessment was carried out in 2012 and there was an inspector sent there last year, he said. He didnSA国际影视传媒檛 know of any interim measures taken to protect the environment or wildlife from the contaminants.
SA国际影视传媒�No, nothingSA国际影视传媒檚 been done,SA国际影视传媒� said Hawkins, who added that site testing is on the agenda this year and the outcome will help determine NanisivikSA国际影视传媒檚 priority among the other known contaminated sites in the territory. It will also result in a better idea of the cost to clean up the area.
SA国际影视传媒�The drums (of fuel) are probably the highest concern,SA国际影视传媒� Hawkins said. SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 probably more like lube oil (inside).SA国际影视传媒�
Asked about the potential harm from the calcium chloride SA国际影视传媒� a salt created by mixing calcium and chlorine SA国际影视传媒� Hawkins replied, SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not an environmental guySA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 a road saltSA国际影视传媒� itSA国际影视传媒檚 not great.SA国际影视传媒�
According to McGill University in Montreal, calcium chloride can result in burns if humans or animals ingest it.
Iqalukjuak, who wants action to be taken at Nanisivik as soon as possible, said he intends to write a letter to his MLA, David Akeeagok, who serves Arctic Bay, Grise Fiord and Resolute and is also the deputy premier.
The Nanisivik airport, originally built to serve the community of Arctic Bay and a lead zinc mine in the 1970s, closed in early 2011 when the Arctic Bay airport went into service. At the time, the GN stated that it would save approximately $575,000 per year by no longer having to maintain Nanisivik airport and the road between Nanisivik and Arctic Bay.
The GN has a $1.5 million budget to monitor contaminated sites throughout Nunavut.
