Archived - Inuvialuit Final Agreement Implementation Coordinating Committee - Annual Report 2002-2003

Cooperation Plan

The potential development of Mackenzie Delta gas reserves and the construction of a pipeline to connect these, and possibly other reserves in Alaska, through the Mackenzie Valley to the south will trigger a number of environmental assessment and regulatory processes. The authorities with environmental impact assessment and regulatory mandates which require a public hearing (the agencies) prepared for their potential involvement in these developments. Even though no application had been submitted, the agencies worked to coordinate planning to ensure their roles are clearly defined and understood by all, and that mandates can be exercised in a manner that avoids duplication.

The Cooperation Plan for Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Review of an Northern Gas Pipeline Project, developed by the Northern Pipeline Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Chairs' Committee, outlines potential methods of cooperation, and provides clarity and certainty of process and timing for the public and for potential applicants. The Plan recognizes that each environmental impact assessment authority and regulator operates independently with a legislative mandate to assess the proposed pipeline development and to make recommendations and take decisions. The Plan in no way prejudges or pre-approves any potential project that may be proposed, nor does the approach prejudge the decisions to be made by any authority or bind any authority to a certain course of action.

In designing the process, the agencies were guided by the following principles:

• desire for the agencies to co-operate;
• need for a "made in the north" process;
• flexibility to consider a variety of development scenarios;
• enhanced public participation in the project review; and
• need to consider fully the potential impacts before project decisions are taken.

The objectives of the Plan include:

• enhancing efficiency and effectiveness;
• improving certainty and clarity in the environmental impact assessment and regulatory process; and
• ensuring compliance with existing legislation and comprehensive land claim agreements.

The work outlined in the preparation phase of the Plan, including the development of agreements, preparation of consolidated information requirements and plans for shared technical resources, has been effectively completed.

Co-Management Board Involvement

Activities of Inuvialuit co-management boards regarding pipeline preparedness include:

• participation in the work of the Chairs' Committee Working Group to develop the Cooperation Plan and the Regulators' Agreement for Coordination of the Regulatory Review of a Northern Gas Development and Pipeline Project;
• consultation and educational activities with representatives of various oil and gas companies and pipeline groups; and
• signing of a draft agreement by the IGC which allows for Inuvialuit participation on the EIRB and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency for a joint panel review of the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

Current Status

• In late 2002, the Mackenzie Gas Project Producers completed their preliminary information package in anticipation of the completion of financial arrangements of their partner, the APG. It is expected that the information package will be filed with the regulatory authorities in the summer of 2003.
• The Plan for Public Involvement, which outlines the opportunities for public involvement at various stages of the review, will be released as part of the response of the Chairs' Committee to the tabling of the preliminary information package. The Chairs' Committee is establishing the Northern Gas Project Secretariat to serve the four panels responsible for holding public hearings in the NWT: the Joint Review Panel (the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the EIRB and EIRB), National Energy Board (NEB), Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board and NWT Water Board.

Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee

Due to the high turnover of staff at both the Aklavik HTC and the Aklavik Community Corporation, the two organizations amalgamated their staff.

Aklavik HTC activities included the following:

• work with co-management bodies, both territorial governments, oil and gas exploration companies and Aklavik HTC beneficiaries;
• participation in the Westside Charr Working Group with DFO and the FJMC;
• various studies including the annual beluga whale monitoring program, the recording of aircraft flights in the Shingle and West White fish areas, and index netting;
• purchase and distribution of caribou meat to elders in Aklavik; and
• distribution of the Community Harvesters Assistance Program (CHAP) funding to members.

The Aklavik HTC set up its own company, Nigluk, to deal primarily with hiring wildlife monitors. The Committee is hopeful more work will be available in the next oil and gas season. Fewer wildlife monitors, shelter crews and survey assistants were hired by companies this year.

Olokhaktomiut (Holman) Hunters and Trappers Committee

Olokhaktomiut HTC activities included:

• application to DFO for an experimental licence for commercial fishing;
• two special meetings with Commander Resources Ltd. to discuss the proposed diamond exploration program on Victoria Island, NWT (revised application was approved at the second meeting);
• review and subsequent rejection by the Olokhaktomiut HTC Board of the application from Falconbridge Limited to conduct mineral exploration at Minto Inlet;
• approval of the charr monitoring program at Fish Lake;
• meeting with INAC on the CIMP;
• receipt of 19 tanned sealskins from the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development (RWED) of the NWT;
• tanning and donation of 50 sealskins to community sewing groups, followed by the purchase of an additional 50 sealskins;
• selection of students for the Big Game Guiding Course, with seven completing the course;
• letter and petition to INAC advocating the non-approval of the proposed diamond exploration program at Prince Albert Sound; and
• request to DFO for water quality testing at Kagloryuak Lake.

Inuvik Hunters and Trappers Committee

The Inuvik HTC met monthly to deal with ongoing issues and land use applications, and to provide general information and assistance to its members, corporate bodies and oil and gas companies. Other activities included:

• wildlife monitoring;
• implementation of the fish study;
• convening the annual general meeting; and
• distribution of geese to residents of Inuvik.

Paulatuk Hunters and Trappers Committee

Paulatuk HTC activities included:

• a contract with DFO for the beluga monitoring program and harvest data collection;
• a charr monitor program, which recorded a total charr catch of 889 from August 1 to 28, 2002;
• distribution of a portion of the CHAP program funding to harvesters;
• seal tagging in the Cape Parry area;
• approval of the polar bear memorandum of understanding between the Aklavik HTC, Inuvik HTC, Paulatuk HTC, Tuktoyaktuk HTC, the IGC, WMAC-NWT and RWED (memorandum not signed by all the parties during the year);
• attendance at the grizzly bear and wildlife research gaps workshops;
• distribution of alternate site fishing funding to local harvesters;
• a trapper training workshop;
• polar bear sports hunt in January 2003, with a resulting success rate for polar bears taken of 90 percent; and
• continued work on a charr management plan.

Sachs Harbour Hunters and Trappers Committee

Sachs Harbour HTC activities included:

• a baseline charr study agreement with DFO;
• a request to DFO for an environmental assessment of the Johnson Point area regarding a potential oil leak;
• a decision to privatize polar bear sports hunts; and
• a motion to advocate for the removal of World Wildlife Fund commercials featuring polar bears, and a subsequent request to the IGC for its support on this issue.

Tuktoyaktuk Hunters and Trappers Committee

Tuktoyaktuk HTC activities included:

• meetings with WesternGeco to discuss the proposed summer seismic project down the Mackenzie Valley and with Leader Fishing to discuss the exploratory fishery proposal;
• a trout monitoring project at Husky Lakes in April and May 2002;
• a beluga whale monitoring program;
• a Husky Lakes assessment research project;
• meetings with DFO to discuss the Beaufort Sea Integrated Management Plan Initiative which will have Zone 1(A) in the Beluga Management Plan classified as a marine protected area;
• attendance at a cooperative workshop on the CIMP sponsored by Petro Canada, and a wildlife research workshop in Inuvik;
• meeting with the Mackenzie Gas Producers to discuss the use of traditional knowledge during community consultation meetings for the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline. This was followed by a workshop on this subject in February 2003; and
• attendance on the FJMC community tour.

Consultation and Planning

In keeping with the co-management philosophy of the IFA, consultation with local HTCs, the IGC, DFO and other government agencies formed an important part of the Committee's activities. The FJMC held five regular meetings, six teleconferences and public meetings in Aklavik, Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk to discuss with local hunters and fishers, issues of concern related to fish and marine mammals, and research priorities for the ISR. One regular meeting was held in Winnipeg at DFO's Freshwater Institute to facilitate information exchange and project planning with the Department's scientific and management staff. The process by which the FJMC sets its research priorities and develops a work plan is unique among Inuvialuit joint implementing bodies. Community meetings in November, discussions with scientific staff at the Freshwater Institute in January and planning sessions in March are the essential elements in the Committee's annual work plan and budgeting cycle for the next fiscal year.

After almost three years of development, the FJMC Strategic Plan, formerly titled the FJMC Vision Statement is in press. The Plan is intended to direct the FJMC's activities for the first decade of the new millennium. This important document contains a set of guiding principles, a clear vision for the future of fish and marine mammal management in the Beaufort Delta region of Canada's Western Arctic, and a set of milestones for the next decade.

Research and Monitoring

The FJMC was active in numerous research, monitoring and management programs in 2002-2003. Thirty-one projects were conducted through joint efforts between the FJMC and DFO.

Support continued for charr monitoring projects in Paulatuk and Holman that provide information for existing community-based charr fishing plans for the Hornaday and Kuujua rivers near Paulatuk and Holman respectively. Also in support of the Hornaday plan, the Committee continued to contribute to a baseline water quality and quantity monitoring project for that river system.

The FJMC continued to support the West Side Working Group in its efforts to develop a community-driven integrated fishing plan for the Yukon North Slope and West Side rivers from the Big Fish River west to Fish Creek near the Alaskan border. The Working Group was established in 2000-2001 and includes representatives from the Aklavik HTC and Elders Committee, the FJMC, DFO and Parks Canada. The Working Group continued to assemble critical scientific and traditional knowledge on North Slope fisheries that will form the foundation of the developing management plan. The traditional knowledge study completed in 2001-2002 was finalized for publication.

Support of a multiyear program to assess the ecology and fisheries resources of Husky and Sitidgi lakes was an ongoing priority. These lakes support important local subsistence and recreational fisheries. In coming years, the Committee anticipates growing pressures associated with accelerating hydrocarbon development on surrounding lands and increased public access through seasonal ice roads and a proposed all-weather road to Tuktoyaktuk.

The FJMC continued to allocate funds in support of a satellite telemetry program to monitor the movements of ringed seals. The multiyear tagging program in the Cape Parry area near Paulatuk continued. The Committee also contributed to an ongoing project designed to monitor the reproductive status and condition of ringed seals in Amundsen Gulf.

The quality of country foods also continued to be a significant concern for the communities. In addition to the allocation of funds for research involving the collection of samples from harvested marine mammals (including ringed seals and beluga) for contaminant and disease analysis, the Committee organized and facilitated a workshop focussing on the increase in mercury levels in beluga whales in the Western Arctic. The workshop was held in October 2002 at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg. A group of 20 professionals from a variety of fields discussed possible reasons for these increased levels and proposed possible future research to further the understanding of the primary factors involved.

In addition to annual research project funding, the Committee supported long-term harvest monitoring programs that provide essential harvest data required by the Committee and DFO biologists for making sound management decisions

• In cooperation with the HTCs, the FJMC delivered the Beluga Harvest Monitoring Program. Local Inuvialuit whale monitors employed by HTCs are stationed in each of the active whaling camps within the ISR. They collect biological information from each harvested whale. Committee staff provided training, program and logistic support, coordination of special sample collections, and data collation. Monitors also keep track of aircraft traffic over whale camps and submit detailed incident reports in cases where aircraft may have harassed or disturbed whales and harvesters. At season's end, these harassment incident reports were turned over to DFO Conservation and Protection for follow-up with air charter companies as required.
• Following the cancellation of the Inuvialuit Harvest Study, the Committee continued its support of the collection of Inuvialuit subsistence fisheries harvest data by DFO in 2002-2003.

In accordance with section 14(64) of the IFA, the Committee continued with the Private Lands Sport Fishing Registry. Recreational anglers fishing within the ISR were not surveyed in 2002-2003, but plans are underway to conduct the survey again in 2003-2004. Data collected in 2000 and 2001 were analyzed during the year, and a technical report is to be completed. The promotional campaign initiated in 2001-2002 to educate the fishing public was continued with the renewal of large wall displays at major air and road travel gateways into the ISR. This included wall maps identifying private lands distributed to all fishing licence vendors and HTCs in the region, reprinting and distributing information brochures to vendors and HTCs, and advertising in NWT Explorers Guide / Guide to Hunting & Fishing in the Northwest Territories and the Beaufort Delta Attractions Guide.

To facilitate the distribution of information related to research within the ISR, the FJMC Technical Report series is being reactivated. Recent projects funded by the Committee, beginning with the Possible Impacts on Overwintering Fish of Trucking Granular Materials Over Lake and River Ice in the Mackenzie Delta Area, will be published and distributed, as well as posted on the Committee's Web site.

Hydrocarbon Development

The FJMC continued to be well positioned to provide sound advice on issues related to accelerating oil and gas industry activities in the ISR. The Committee and staff have been regular participants in community and agency consultations by industry. Before every screening meeting, the Committee continues to review all proposals before the EISC that have the potential to impact on fish, marine mammals, and aquatic habitat in the ISR, including those related to oil and gas.

To follow up on a successful informal meeting between field level biologists and regulators from the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska that was initiated by the FJMC and DFO in 2002, FJMC members and staff participated in the second Canada/Alaska Oil and Gas Environmental Regulators Gathering, held in Fairbanks March 1920, 2003. The gathering was expanded to include wildlife and other regulatory agencies from the Northwest Territories and Yukon and their counterparts in Alaska. In addition, some of those attending participated in a tour of several oil production facilities on the North Slope of Alaska.

The Committee was also directly involved with the EIRB public review of the WesternGeco Mackenzie Delta Marine 2D Seismic Program 2002. This Program has potential impact on fish harvesting in the Mackenzie Delta. The Committee enlisted the services of a technical expert to ensure that any potential impact of the Program on Inuvialuit harvests would be mitigated, and any concerns would be investigated.

Beluga Management and Pilot Marine Protected Areas

The FJMC continued its support of the BSIMPI in cooperation with DFO. This multi-stakeholder initiative is facilitated through a working group that includes representatives from the FJMC, DFO, IGC, IRC, INAC and CAPP, who conducted community consultations through 2002-2003 to determine support for a pilot marine protected area under the Oceans Act.

Emerging Commercial Fisheries

In response to increasing interest by business entities from outside the region in developing commercial fisheries in the Beaufort Sea, the Committee continued to work closely with DFO and the IGC to lay the foundations for a regionally managed, sustainable commercial fisheries in the Beaufort Sea that will benefit Inuvialuit economically while not adversely affecting traditional subsistence harvesting activities.

Species at Risk Legislation

With the Species at Risk Act given royal assent on December 12, 2002, the Committee began to take a more active role in ensuring Inuvialuit involvement in the protection of endangered fish and marine mammal species. The FJMC will continue to work with the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) to better define the FJMC's role in the federal assessment process for endangered species under the FJMC's jurisdiction. The FJMC participated in the preliminary stages of reassessment of several species, including the fourhorn sculpin, beluga whale and pighead prickleback.

Communications

The FJMC continued to develop its existing Web site ‹www.fjmc.ca  › as a means to better inform the public, government and industry about the Committee and fisheries co-management in the ISR. A variety of FJMC reports and other materials are available on the site for downloading by interested parties. The FJMC reaches Inuvialuit beneficiaries within the ISR through its annual ISR community tour and through regular contributions to the Joint Secretariat-Inuvialuit Renewable Resource Committee's newsletter – the JS Common Ground. The newsletter is distributed to every registered Inuvialuit beneficiary each summer and winter.

Student Mentoring Program and Inuvialuit Youth

The Student Mentoring Program of the FJMC returned for its sixth successful season in 2002-2003. Activities included:

• hosting four students (four from Inuvik with three completing the term);
• developing new work placement partnerships (including DFO, Parks Canada, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, RWED, Kavik AXYS and Inuvialuit Environmental & Geotechnical);
• continued funding relationships with ECE, the IRC and Enbridge Inc.;
• completing the Boot Lake aquatic science training module featuring a new study manual developed by DFO;
• participating in a regional career fair, Career Quest 2002, with past mentoring student, accompanied by Joint Secretariat staff, available to answer questions about the mentoring program from junior and senior high school students from around the Beaufort Delta Region; and
• participating in a community tour to Holman, Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour, organized by the ECE division in Inuvik to recruit new students for the 2003-2004 Program. This tour involved representatives from the ECE, Aurora College, the Beaufort Delta Self Government and the Canadian military. Presentations were given to local high school students, as well as to the general public. The FJMC Mentoring Program is offered in partnership with DFO and is designed to encourage Inuvialuit youth to finish high school and continue with their studies in the sciences so they can become the ISR's future resource managers and biologists.

Community Conservation Plans

The WMAC-NWT, pursuant to its responsibility for conservation and management plans under article 14(60)(b) of the IFA, takes the lead in the development and revision of community conservation plans. There were no revisions in 2002-2003. The office fulfills requests for paper and CDROM copies of the plans, in addition to directing people to the Web site where they are available for download.

Amendments to By-laws

The following amendments were completed in the regulations under the NWT Wildlife Act, which resulted in changes to the HTCs' by-laws:

• change the marten trapping season from November 1 to October 1;
• change the muskox sport hunting season in zone I/MX/06 from October 1 April 30 to September 15 April 30; and
• combine muskox zones I/MX/03 and I/MX/04 on Victoria Island into one zone.

Harvesting of Wildlife

In its regularly scheduled meeting in December 2002, the WMAC-NWT made no recommendations to change existing quotas for those species under quota in the ISR.

The Council recommended to the Minister of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development that the grizzly bear season in zones I/GB/04 and I/GB/05 near Tuktoyaktuk be changed to September 15 May 31 for all hunters.

Commercial Harvesting of Wildlife

In March 2003, the IRC and the community of Sachs Harbour conducted a federally approved commercial harvest of muskox for meat and qiviut (wool). One hundred and one (101) muskox were harvested. Methods to improve the meat quality were tested again this year.

Legislation Affecting Wildlife Management

During the year, the WMAC-NWT provided comments in the review of the Canada-wide ranks for all butterflies and on the status reports for the following listed species: grizzly bears, woodland caribou, Ross's gull, polar bears, the anatum peregrine falcon and wolverines.

Discussions on the territorial Species at Risk Act were postponed while work is underway on revisions to the NWT Wildlife Act. The Council chair was involved in NWT Wildlife Act meetings between the IGC, the RWED deputy minister and territorial government staff. These discussions on the process for integrating land claim provisions into the Act will continue.

Research

Wildlife research is essential to enable the WMAC-NWT to make decisions and recommendations on conservation and quotas. Wildlife research in the ISR is supported primarily by IFA implementation funds, as well as regular RWED and Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) expenditures, and in-kind support. The CWS and RWED propose research programs and priorities for the ISR based on continuing consultation with the HTCs. These proposals are considered by the WMAC-NWT, which set priorities for IFA-funded research each year, and advises the agencies and the IGC of its decisions. It also reviews and advises on wildlife research proposed by other agencies and supported by other funds. In 2002-2003, the Council again reviewed several wildlife and habitat research proposals from the oil and gas industry in support of proposed natural gas gathering systems and pipelines. Inuvialuit knowledge directs and assists in wildlife research in several ways. The consultation process between RWED, the CWS and the HTCs assists in setting priorities regarding what research needs to be done and how best to do it. Such consultation must take place before the WMAC-NWT approves any research project to ensure that research is conducted in a manner satisfactory to the HTCs. The Council considers the development, design, conduct and interpretation of research on the basis of both Inuvialuit and scientific knowledge.

The WMAC-NWT approved a broad range of IFA-funded wildlife research projects in 2002-2003. Total implementation funds allocated from RWED were $882,000 (including a 2001-2002 carryover for 20 projects) and involved the following areas:

• polar bears – distribution, seasonal movements and population ecology for the South Beaufort population, early winter/late winter distribution on west Richards Island, management agreements/by-law review;
• grizzly bears – harvest and problem occurrence monitoring, local knowledge on bear sightings/denning areas/etc., population estimates for the eastern ISR, impacts of seismic exploration on denning bears;
• muskox – productivity and recruitment on Banks Island, herd health/condition and monitoring of commercial harvest at Banks Island, late winter body condition on Banks and Northwest Victoria islands, and mainland NWT and North Slope herd genetics;
• caribou – harvest data collection, population survey for Cape Bathurst herd, Bluenose-West and Cape Bathurst productivity/recruitment survey and range use/movements tracking, productivity of Peary caribou on Banks, Northwest Victoria and Melville islands, Banks Island Peary caribou range use, and late winter body condition of Peary caribou on Banks and Northwest Victoria islands;
• Dall's Sheep – muskoxen lungworm infection assessment; and
• habitat data from vegetation classification.

Total implementation funds allocated from the CWS were $191,500 (including a 2001-2002 carryover for seven projects) and involved the following areas:

• snow geese-banding on the mainland and Banks Island to determine what proportion of the harvest is from each area and the habitat effects on Banks Island from snow geese;
• gas development - effects on tundra swans in the Mackenzie Delta (using field research and traditional knowledge);
• murres - population assessment at Cape Parry Bird Sanctuary;
• Pacific common eiders - locations of moulting, fall staging and wintering areas;
• harvest data collection; and
• analysis and write-up of existing data sets.

The WMAC-NWT also supported, in principle, other research in the ISR proposed by RWED and the CWS, which was funded solely from non-implementation sources.

Meetings

Members of the WMAC-NWT attended 26 meetings, workshops and conferences throughout the year to assist the Council in adequately and knowledgeably fulfilling its mandate. As well, several project-specific meetings with oil and gas companies were attended in aid of WMAC-NWT comments on development applications submitted to the EISC.

Other

The Council continued to advise the EISC with respect to relevant development submissions, conveying concerns regarding impacts on wildlife and habitat. The WMAC-NWT also continued to assess nongovernment funded wildlife research proposals and submit comments to the permitting agencies prior to decisions. With respect to studies gathering data for oil and gas production and transmission, the Council stressed the need for consultation with the WMAC-NWT, RWED and the CWS to integrate them into existing government programs as much as possible and allow for comments on the data methods and draft reports.

The Council was a registered participant in the Commander Resources' environmental impact review of the proposed diamond exploration program on Victoria Island. Comments were provided on the potential impacts of the program, and a board member attended the public hearing in Holman on behalf of the Council.

Yukon North Slope Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan

As one element of the special conservation regime it established, the IFA requires the preparation of a Yukon North Slope Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan. The Plan is to provide direction to long-term wildlife conservation management consistent with the goals of the IFA. During 2002-2003, volume 2 of the Plan (goals and actions) was completed. This volume can be found on the Council's Web site ‹www.taiga.net/wmac/wcandmplans.htm›. A hard copy edition of the Plan is in production.

One component of this Plan is a detailed report on the status of 34 wildlife species found on the North Slope (volume 3). Recognizing that the reports are based primarily on scientific research, the Council, working in partnership with the Aklavik HTC, initiated a project to collect local information on 22 selected species. Interviews were conducted in Aklavik over a two-week period in the spring. People who are active on the land were asked to provide information on range, condition, habitat and population size. A public meeting was also held to get additional information. A full report summarizing the results of the project is being prepared.

Muskox Management

The Council continued its work to develop a management plan for the Canadian North Slope muskox population. A revised version was distributed for review to interested parties and comments are being incorporated. The chair also presented the plan to members of the Yukon Fish and Wildlife Management Board. Once the plan is complete, the WMAC-NS will be able to recommend a sustainable harvest quota for Inuvialuit residents of Aklavik.

The WMAC-NS supported and recommended funding for a muskox satellite and tracking project conducted by the Yukon Government and Parks Canada. The Council also recommended funding for a population survey and composition count.

Ecosystem Monitoring

The WMAC-NS, in conjunction with Environment Canada, coordinated the Eighth Annual Gathering of the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Cooperative www.taiga.net/coop. The Council recommended funding for the seventh year of the Coop's Community Monitoring Program. The objective is to record observations, on an annual basis, of changes to the environment using local community experts and interviewers.

IFA-Funded Wildlife Research

The WMAC-NS receives proposals for IFA implementation funded research projects related to wildlife management and ecological monitoring on the Yukon North Slope consistent with the goals of the IFA and the provisions contained in section 12. Once reviewed and discussed, the Council makes its recommendations, as appropriate, to support projects and, if required, will also recommend that projects receive funding support from Parks Canada, the Yukon Government and the CWS. Recommendations are based on research priorities identified in or by the Yukon North Slope Long-Term Research Plan, Porcupine Caribou Management Plan, ISR Grizzly Bear Management Plan, meetings with the Aklavik HTC, the Aklavik HTC research priority list, community consultation at public meetings in Aklavik and research priorities identified at the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Cooperative annual gatherings.

The Council monitors the progress of all recommended projects by requesting presentations and final reports from all agencies that receive funding. Projects recommended by the WMAC-NS and conducted in 2002-2003 included:

• muskox ecology studies (population count, survey and satellite collar program);
• the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Coop Community-Based Monitoring Program;
• the reproductive ecology of tundra swans in the Mackenzie Delta Region;
• experimental infections of Dall's sheep with muskox lungworm;
• Aklavik harvest data collection;
• Porcupine caribou satellite and conventional radio collaring programs;
• breeding bird distribution and habitat association on the Yukon North Slope;
• Firth River water flow and water quality monitoring, and weather and permafrost monitoring in Ivvavik National Park; and
• vegetation and climate change monitoring on Herschel Island.

Grizzly Bear Management

The management of grizzly bears in the ISR was the focus of a two and a half day workshop in Inuvik that was attended by several Council members and the chair. Other participants included representatives from each HTC and the WMAC-NWT, IGC, the governments of Yukon and the Northwest Territories, and Parks Canada. The workshop was held to provide participants with an opportunity to discuss issues and concerns related to the determination and distribution of harvest quotas, as well as the assessment of grizzly bear populations. The goals and objectives of the ISR Grizzly Bear Management Plan for the next five years were also considered. The objective of the workshop was to develop ideas and recommendations for the future management of grizzly bears that could be taken back to the communities, and to the WMAC-NS, WMAC-NWT and IGC for further consideration.

Species at Risk

The WMAC-NS continued to monitor the development of the federal Species at Risk Act (Bill C5). The Council reviewed and provided comments to COSEWIC on species being assessed within the region. The chair participated in preparations for a meeting between the members of COSEWIC and representatives of wildlife management boards across Canada to discuss how they could work together on species assessments in the range jurisdictions of the boards. The WMAC-NS was also active in the development of a legislated process for addressing species at risk in Yukon.

Herschel Island Territorial Park

The Council continued to support the review of the Herschel Island Territorial Park Management Plan. The Plan, originally completed in 1991, is being updated by the Yukon Government to reflect the increase in visitor numbers and other management issues not addressed in the original version. As part of this review, the Council hosted a workshop in Whitehorse that brought Council members together with representatives from the Tourism, Heritage, Parks and Wildlife branches of the Yukon Government to discuss and redraft the contents of the Plan.

Council members spent several days on Herschel Island in July. Members were able to learn more about the research projects underway on the Island and to see how the Territorial Park is operated. The Council held a one-day meeting while on the Island that included a review of the proposed revisions to the Park's Management Plan.

The Council recommended funding for vegetation and climate monitoring studies on the Island, which were then continued during the summer of 2002.

Parks Canada and Ivvavik National Park

The WMAC-NS continued to work in partnership with Parks Canada on issues related to wildlife research, management and ecological monitoring in Ivvavik National Park. The Council recommended the revised Ivvavik National Park of Canada Management Plan to the Minister of Heritage Canada. The revisions to the Plan are directed to ensuring that the management of Ivvavik National Park is responsive to issues and challenges associated with ecosystem conservation, climate change and potential industrial disturbances. They also reflect a renewed commitment to optimize the current and potential economic benefits associated with the establishment of the Park, particularly as they may affect Inuvialuit interests and rights as provided for in the IFA.

The Council recommended funding for Firth River water flow monitoring, weather and permafrost monitoring, and Firth River water quality monitoring to be conducted in Ivvavik National Park. Parks Canada provided the logistic support that made it possible for Council members to spend a week travelling on the North Slope during the summer.

Aklavik Hunters and Trappers Committee

The WMAC-NS worked closely with the Aklavik HTC to ensure that the needs and concerns of the Aklavik Inuvialuit were addressed in the Council's decisions and actions. Through public meetings and meetings with the HTC's Board of Directors, the WMAC-NS provided information and exchanged ideas on the management of wildlife on the Yukon North Slope. The Council met with the Aklavik HTC Board twice during the year.

Communications

The WMAC-NS maintained its Web site at www.taiga.net/wmac. The site has information on the Council and its activities, including term reports, newsletters, fact sheets, species status reports and links to related sites. The second volume of the Yukon North Slope Wildlife Conservation and Management Plan was added to the site. The Council continued to produce a newsletter, Wildlife Watch, to inform user communities of its activities and provide updates on issues of community interest.

The Council produced a series of fact sheets that summarize information on the history, biology and uses of North Slope muskox. The fact sheets are available on the Council's Web Site. A school unit, with activities suitable for all grade levels, was also developed to assist teachers in providing school children with information on muskox.

Meetings

The Council held meetings in Whitehorse, Aklavik, Inuvik and on Herschel Island. It also hosted a community meeting in Aklavik.

Council members attended a number of workshops and conferences during the year including the Arctic Borderlands Ecological Knowledge Cooperative Eighth Annual Gathering (Whitehorse), Yukon Species at Risk Workshop (Whitehorse), the Joint Secretariat Board of Directors meeting (Whitehorse), the ISR Grizzly Bear Workshop (Inuvik), the Oil And Gas Issues Workshop Pembina Institute (Calgary), the Herschel Island Park Management Plan Workshop (Whitehorse), the Alaska/Canada Oil & Gas Environmental Regulators meeting (Fairbanks, Alaska) and IGC meetings (Holman, Inuvik, Whitehorse). The chair also attended a meeting in Edmonton at which all agencies that receive IFA implementation funding presented their funding requirements for the next five-year period to INAC representatives.

Environmental Screenings

Forty-two project descriptions were submitted in 2002-2003, about two thirds of the number received the previous year. This decrease appeared to be directly related to the reduction in gas exploration in the ISR.

Four project descriptions were withdrawn by the proponents before completion of the screening process: a pipeline project submitted by Arctigas Resources Limited Partnership and seismic programs submitted by Shell Canada Ltd (2) and Anadarko Canada Corporation (1).

In total, the EISC screened 38 project descriptions during 2002-2003 including developments associated with hydrocarbon exploration (13, comprising two camp water permits, two aquatic seismic programs, three onshore seismic programs, four drilling programs and two geotechnical investigation programs), research (8), tourism (7), land leases for communications towers (2) or traditional camps (2), DEW Line clean-up (1), diamond exploration (1), a communication site access road (1), relocation of a reindeer corral (1), tide gauging station placement (1) and emergency shelter placement (1).

Of the proposed developments, the EISC determined that 35 would have no significant negative impact. A project description submitted by WesternGeco in April 2002 for its Mackenzie Valley 2D Seismic Program was found to be deficient. When revised and revisited in May 2002,it was deemed to have the potential for significant negative impact and was referred to the EIRB. Similarly, a project description submitted by Commander Resources Ltd. for its proposed diamond exploration on Victoria Island was at first deferred to obtain comments from the community and later found to have the potential for significant negative impact. It was referred to the EIRB in September 2002.

The screening process for 35 of the 38 submissions required less than 60 days to complete. Fifteen (39 percent) of the submissions were screened in less than 30 days from the date of receipt, requiring a resolution by the EISC to waive the standard requirement. Three submissions took more than 60 days to process, as the EISC deferred screening to obtain comments from the relevant HTC or further information from the proponent.

In addition to developments that are screened, the EISC asks to be informed of other projects that are proposed for Crown lands within the ISR, but for various reasons are exempt from the screening process. The task is undertaken so the EISC may have a broad picture of the activities being carried out within the ISR for the purposes of a cumulative impact assessment. The EISC greatly appreciated the efforts of the co-management boards and the regulatory authorities during the year, which kept the EISC apprised of such activities. At the end of 2002-2003, the ILA also agreed to notify the EISC of projects on Inuvialuit private lands.

The majority of exemptions in 2002-2003 were research projects that had gone through the IFA co-management process or were not government sponsored or funded research. Other screening exemptions may be found in Appendix C of the EISC's Operating Guidelines and Procedures, which lists all projects and the reason for exemptions.

The EISC routinely accepts presentations from developers with project descriptions before the EISC, particularly when the proposal is controversial or complex. During the year, the EISC received 10 presentations and 10 guests.

Operating Guidelines and Procedures, April September 2002

The EISC completed revisions of its Operating Guidelines and Procedures manual in September 2002. The most controversial revision was the inclusion of nongovernment sponsored or funded research on the exemptions list, which was done by the EISC following legal advice. Co-management boards were dissatisfied with this exemption, and discussions were ongoing at year end.

Other Activities

Other activities of the EISC included the following.

• The EISC reviewed and forwarded comments to Parks Canada on its draft Ivvavik National Park Management Plan. Comments included a request that the IFA environmental impact screening and review process be specifically mentioned and that it be clarified that nongovernment funded research is now exempt from the screening process.
• The report, A Review of Mineral Activities in the ISR,1997-2002, was completed and forwarded to the signatories of the Mineral Agreement, he assistant deputy minister, Northern Affairs Program, INAC and the chair of the IRC.
• A proposal describing the coordination of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and IFA requirements for screening and review of the proposed Devon offshore drilling project was examined and comments forwarded to the NEB.
• The EISC reviewed and forwarded comments to the EIRB regarding its draft criteria for establishing environmental standards and a developer's standard of performance in the Husky Lakes area. These comments focussed on broadening the statement of purpose to include all Inuvialuit.
• In a joint letter with the EIRB and the WMAC-NS, the EISC expressed concerns regarding the duplication of the environmental screening process on the Yukon North Slope to the standing committee examining the Yukon Environmental and Socioeconomic Assessment Act.
• The EISC reviewed and forwarded comments to the Aurora Research Institute regarding its publication, Doing Research in the Northwest Territories: A Guide to Researchers.
• During the year, EISC members attended 15 meetings, conferences or workshops.

Review Activities

In 2002, the EISC referred two projects to the EIRB for public review.

• Commander Resources' proposed diamond exploration, Victoria Island, was referred on September 6, 2002. The developer submitted its environmental impact statement (EIS) to the EIRB in late November. Public meetings were then held in Holman on February 5 and 6, 2003 to hear the views of the community regarding this project. The EIRB Review Panel considered all the information before it and the decision, contained in a final report, was released on February 18, 2003. The Review Panel recommended the project proceed subject to certain terms and conditions, which included mitigative and remedial measures.
• The WesternGeco Mackenzie Delta River 2D Seismic Program 2002 was referred on June 18, 2002. The developer postponed submission of an EIS to carry out research on the project during the summer of 2002. The developer then submitted its EIS, which included the research results, on January 7, 2003. Public meetings are scheduled to be held in Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk and Inuvik in mid-April 2003.

Other Activities

Again this year, the EIRB worked on developing criteria for establishing acceptable environmental standards and evaluating a developers' standard of performance for the Husky Lakes area as required by section 8(1) of the IFA. The Board held a workshop in May 2002 in Inuvik which was attended by 20 interested parties. A draft of the criteria was circulated in June. Members of the EIRB travelled to Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk in August to meet with the Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk HTCs to discuss the draft.

The Board was represented on the Northern Pipeline Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Chairs' Committee and participated in the completion of the Cooperation Plan.

Collection of Harvest Data

The Inuvialuit Harvest Study was terminated in late winter 2001. However, RWED, DFO and the CWS maintained studies with the Sachs Harbour, Holman and Paulatuk HTCs to document the number of caribou and selected fish species harvested in these communities.

Banks Island Caribou and Muskox

Activities were directed at summarizing results of various population and habitat studies completed since 1993. Recommendations on the future population and habitat research needs will be provided during 2003-2004. During the year, RWED continued to work on the following.

• Monitor the harvest of Peary caribou, muskoxen and wolves on Banks Island.
• Determine, in collaboration with the University of Alberta, the genetic relationships of caribou on the Arctic islands. This work was completed, manuscripts were prepared for publication, and results were presented at national and international science conferences.
• Provide a habitat classification map for Banks Island and maps showing the movements of satellite radio-collared female caribou to the Sachs Harbour HTC, the WMAC-NWT and IGC on a regular basis.
• Obtain baseline data on abomasal parasites and assess their impact on the reproductive physiology of muskox, in cooperation with the universities of Saskatchewan and Fairbanks. Several publications were prepared and results were presented at national and international science conferences. The Department implemented a program to monitor annually the prevalence and intensity of infection of muskox by abomasal parasites. This work will develop a long-term database to determine changes in the prevalence and intensity of infections by these parasites as a result of climate change.
• Document, in cooperation with researchers from the Agriculture and Agro-Food Canada Research Centre, the health, condition and reproductive status of harvested animals and develop pre-mortem nutritional therapies and aging techniques to improve the quality of meat produced at large scale commercial harvests. Several publications were prepared and results were presented at national science conferences.

Northwest Victoria Island

The Department began preparations to undertake a satellite tracking study of Peary caribou on Northwest Victoria Island, with the purchase of a number of satellite collars to be deployed during the summer 2003.

Barrenground, Arctic Island and Peary Caribou Genetic Study

The Department RWED continued to work with the University of Alberta to complete studies verifying the genetic relationships between Porcupine, Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Bluenose-East, Bathurst, Dolphin and Union, Minto Inlet, Banks Island and Melville Island caribou. A manuscript was prepared for publication.

Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West Caribou

The seventh year of the satellite tracking program was completed. Maps showing the location and movements of the satellite-collared caribou were provided to the 12 user communities and wildlife co-management bodies. Movements of the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West caribou herds in relationship to the proposed Mackenzie Valley pipeline were documented. Seismic companies working in the Richards Island and lower Tuktoyaktuk Peninsula area provided partial funding for this project.

Animations displaying the movements of animals in the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West, Central Arctic, Porcupine, Bluenose-East, Bathurst and Dolphin and Union caribou herds were completed. These animations were incorporated into a web-based program available to the public on the RWED Web site and as a CDROM. This work was completed in cooperation with biologists in Alaska, Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

Working cooperatively with Parks Canada, a productivity survey was conducted to estimate the number of cows on the Cape Bathurst and Bluenose-West calving grounds and to determine the number of calves produced by these herds.

Grizzly Bears and Seismic Exploration

The Department continued to monitor the movements of grizzly bears in the Mackenzie gas project area. Global positioning system collars deployed in the fall of 2001 were recovered, and the activity and temperature sensor data were downloaded. These data will be analyzed during 2003-2004. Preparations were made to employ a University of Alberta graduate student to undertake more detailed studies to assess the potential impacts of exploration and development activity on grizzly bears in the development area.

Richardson Mountains Grizzly Bear

The Department prepared a draft report summarizing the results of the 10year productivity study completed in 2001.

Grizzly Bear Harvest

The grizzly bear harvest and problem bear occurrence/kill databases for the Inuvik Region were maintained. Reviews of quotas and harvest information for each community hunting area were presented in the annual Summary of Harvest Data for Species Under Quota in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region report prepared for the WMAC-NWT and WMAC-NS. The Department prepared posters showing the number, sex and kill sites for grizzly bears harvested during the NWT quota years 1997-1998 to 2001-2002 and sent copies to each HTC and to the IGC, WMAC-NWT and WMAC-NS.

The Department participated in a workshop to review grizzly bear management in the ISR. Subsequent to the workshop, an analysis of population and harvest data for grizzly bears in the ISR (Northwest Territories and Yukon) was completed.

Recommendations were made to increase quotas in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.

Polar Bear Population Studies

The Department continued to monitor the movements of 20 female polar bears equipped with satellite collars in April 2000. Maps showing the movements of these bears were distributed to the HTCs, IGC and WMAC-NWT on a monthly basis. Preparations were made to undertake mark-recapture studies to update estimates of the numbers of polar bears in the North and South Beaufort Sea populations. This work is being done in cooperation with the CWS and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Polar Bear Harvest

The polar bear harvest and problem bear occurrence/kill databases were maintained for the Inuvik Region. Reviews of quotas and harvest information for each community were presented in the annual Summary of Harvest Data for Species Under Quota in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region report prepared for the WMAC-NWT. The Department prepared posters showing the number, sex and kill sites for polar bears harvested during the NWT quota years 1997-1998 to 2001-2002 and sent copies to each HTC, and to the IGC and WMAC-NWT. The Department also prepared the annual report submitted to the Canadian Polar Bear Technical Committee and the Inuvialuit-Inupiat polar bear commissioners.

Arctic Wolf

Skulls and carcasses purchased from hunters and trappers on Banks and Northwest Victoria islands were analyzed to determine age, sex, incidence of disease, diet and general body condition. Tissue samples were also collected for future DNA and fatty acid signature analysis.

Dall's Sheep

Work continued on the assessment of the prevalence of parasites in Dall's sheep in the Richardson Mountains. A survey was conducted in late August to determine population numbers, and lamb/nursery sheep ratios in several mountain blocks. These results suggest sheep numbers have continued to decline in some areas of the Richardson Mountains.

In co-operation with the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, RWED worked to assess the potential for transmission of muskox lungworm to Dall's sheep. This work was completed and a manuscript was prepared for publication.

Mainland Muskox

Most of the ISR east of the Mackenzie Delta was surveyed in early May 2002 to estimate muskox population numbers and productivity. Results of the survey indicate muskox numbers have declined by about 50 percent since 1997.

Information Gaps Workshop

The Department and the Western Biophysical Study hosted a workshop to identify gaps in information required to manage wildlife species or habitats under NWT jurisdiction. Representatives from the HTCs, renewable resources councils and co-management boards participated in the workshop. A summary of workshop recommendations was prepared and distributed.

Porcupine Caribou Studies

The Porcupine Caribou Herd Satellite Location Program, which began in 1997, continued during the year. The Program monitors up to 10 caribou with satellite collars. The Yukon Government administers the program and deploys the collars which are purchased by cooperating agencies and organizations. The Program's Web site www.taiga.net/satellite is updated each week and maps of caribou locations are faxed out to about 30 recipients across the north. This year, "Journey North", an Internet-based educational program, began using these data to teach students from all over the world about the Porcupine caribou herd.

In March 2003, the Yukon Government deployed 21 conventional radio collars on 10 bulls, two adult cows and nine short yearling females. These collars were purchased by Vuntut National Park, the CWS and the NWT government. Radio-collared animals are used to find the herd for the composition counts each year and for the census every two or three years.

Aklavik Harvest Data Collection

The Yukon Government began work with the Aklavik HTC to collect information on the number of caribou, moose, sheep, swans and furbearers harvested. A local person was hired through the Aklavik HTC to interview key Inuvialuit hunters in the community. This work will continue in 2003.

Muskox Studies

The Yukon Government and Parks Canada are continuing the Muskox Satellite Program. Five muskox with satellite collars were recaptured in July 2002. Four of the collars were replaced and four new muskox captured. Radio collars assist in finding groups for surveys and documenting the muskox movements. These collars will be removed at the end of the program in 2005.

The Yukon Government and Parks Canada completed another muskox population survey and composition count in April 2003. A total of 85 muskox were recorded on the coastal plain between the Alaska border and Shingle Point. Another 10 were recorded outside the survey area. This count marks the 13th muskox survey on the Yukon North Slope since 1986.

The Yukon Government funded an experimental study with the University of Saskatchewan to determine if Dall's sheep would become infected with muskox lungworm if muskox in the east were mixed with the Yukon/NWT Dall's sheep population. The study found the sheep did not become infected with the parasite.

Herschel Island Studies

The Yukon Government Parks and Regional Management continued work on Herschel Island ecological monitoring. This program documents various plant measurements and ground/permafrost temperatures using ITEX protocols, which will allow a comparison of Herschel Island with other sites in the circumpolar north.

The Yukon Government contributed to a study of ground temperatures and recent climate warming conducted by Carleton University. This study integrates well with ecological monitoring for the island.

Other Projects

The Yukon Government contributed significant staff time to a WMAC-NS and Aklavik HTC collaboration which involved interviewing Aklavik Inuvialuit active on the land. A 55page report describes the seasonal activities of these hunters and trappers, and their observations of changes in numbers, range, habitat and condition of many species, plus some comments on other animals and birds.

Three of the other Wildlife Program projects recommended by the WMAC-NS in 2002-2003 did not proceed. The Richardson Mountain sheep and the Richardson Mountain muskox joint planning projects did not get started this year. While the sheep project was cancelled, the funds for the muskox planning were carried over to 2003-2004. Funds were also set aside for a hunter education workshop in Aklavik. This project was also postponed until 2003-2004 as the Porcupine Caribou Management Board already had numerous education projects in Aklavik.

Visitor Questionnaire

The visitor survey questionnaire for the Park continued in 2002. The main purpose is to gather accurate information on the number of park visitors. This allows managers to make informed decisions regarding visitor management and their impacts on the cultural, historical and natural resources of the Park. Visitors were asked to record their arrival mode, length of stay, number of individuals in party, country of origin, day use or overnight, perception of park, and satisfaction level along with suggestions for park improvements. Information from the surveys was collected and input into a Yukon Government data system for further analysis. These surveys are ongoing, providing information for resource management and development of information programs.

Wildlife Observations and Harvest

Eight grizzly bears and two polar bears were observed on Herschel Island this season. Between 70 and 100 caribou were on the Island in the spring, but the number had dropped to about 35 by the time the ice receded. Four muskox were also on the Island in the spring, but were gone by the end of June.

It is estimated that three grizzlies, five caribou, 327 charr and 74 herring were harvested this past year from the Island. This season's harvests on Herschel Island went very well, with only one incident involving harvesters being reported. As part of the implementation of the Bear Strategy Plan, the Aklavik HTC was informed of the incident and the concerns were to be passed on to the membership.

Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island) Management Plan Review

The formal review of the Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island) Territorial Park Management Plan began in June 2000. As Inuvialuit are the primary users of the Park, consultation with the IGC, Aklavik HTC and WMAC-NS has continued throughout the review phase. Consultation to allow the public and interested stakeholders an opportunity to participate in the review occurred during this period with meetings in Inuvik, Aklavik, Dawson and Whitehorse. Following the initial consultation phase, several drafts of the management plan have been prepared and circulated for comment and review.

During 2002-2003, two draft versions of the Plan were circulated, with the last review completed in November 2002. In December, the WMAC-NS held a one-day workshop to work through the outstanding issues and determine the best management strategies to adopt in the Plan. It was then redrafted to ensure the goals and objectives in the Plan reflect the intent of the IFA and capture the comanagement approach that applies to the Yukon North Slope. A second workshop will be held in 2003 to review the final draft. Once completed, the Qikiqtaruk (Herschel Island) Territorial Park Management Plan could then move forward for recommendation and approval as early as the end of the 2003-2004 fiscal year.

Herschel Island Heritage Resources

In 2002, members of the Heritage Resources Unit of Tourism and Culture carried out repairs to various windows and other building components. The crew investigated each building as part of the annual monitoring program and developed a work plan for 2003. Equipment was purchased in order to move the Northern Whaling & Trading Co. warehouse back from the water's edge in 2003. Increasingly violent fall storms in recent years have caused ice damage to the building and increased shoreline erosion at this location. A shed addition to the building had to be dismantled in 2001 for this reason.

A series of four posters depicting archaeological work and findings on the Island have been designed to enhance the interpretation of Inuvialuit occupation and use of the Island. These will be put up in the visitor welcoming area in the Community House. Discreet exterior signs were also developed, advising visitors of the sensitivity of the wetland areas and grave sites. These will be installed in 2003.

Other Park Activities

A slide show to introduce people to Herschel Island Territorial Park was held during the summer at the Visitors' Centre in Inuvik.

The rangers took part in training on the workplace hazardous materials information system and transportation of dangerous goods at Aurora College in Inuvik. They also took a swift water course in Whitehorse.

Implementation Branch

The Implementation Branch serves as a liaison on IFA implementation issues for the co-management boards, territorial governments and other federal government departments. Its activities include:

• negotiating and monitoring the funding arrangements with various implementing bodies having obligations under the IFA and/or responsibilities pursuant to the IFA, and monitoring federal implementation activities to ensure compliance with the land claim agreement;
• processing the appointments by the governments of Canada, Yukon and the Northwest Territories to the Arbitration Board, EIRB and EISC;
• processing amendments to the IFA; and publishing the annual report of the IFA ICC.

The director general of Implementation Branch serves as the Government of Canada member to the IFA ICC, and the director of the Implementation Management Directorate is the alternate. They participated in the two meetings of the IFA ICC in April and October 2002.

During the year, activities of the Implementation Branch included:

• processing appointments of the Yukon designated member of the Arbitration Board, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories designated members to the EISC;
• in co-operation with the NWT Regional Office, provision of funding to the Joint Secretariat, EISC and EIRB for their increased workload related to oil and gas activity in the ISR, and for participation in the Northern Pipeline Environmental Impact Assessment and Regulatory Chairs' Committee/Working Group;
• initiation of discussions regarding the renewal of IFA implementation funding with the various co-management boards and implementation stakeholders; and finalizing the IFA amendment package with the IRC.

In addition, the Implementation Branch followed up on the report of the Section 16 Economic Measures Review, which was submitted to the IFA ICC in February 2002, and at year-end, was awaiting the IRC's response to the report.

Northern Affairs Program

The Program administers legislation concerning the disposition and use of Crown lands, inland waters, the offshore, non-renewable resources, and overall environmental protection within the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

Granular Inventories

The Northern Affairs Program administers funding provided for conducting granular (sand and gravel) inventories. With the recent increase in oil and gas exploration activities and development proposals, there was renewed concern about the overall potential of the region to meet both short-and long-erm public, community and industrial requirements for granular resources.

During 2002-2003, work continued toward establishing a joint (Canada-Inuvialuit) regional granular resources management plan that will integrate granular resource potential, inventories of granular supplies, and future granular demands with other land-related information for the ISR. In support of this initiative, a prototype Internet-based information mapping and exchange system was developed. This system follows the recommendations of the feasibility and requirements study completed the previous year, and uses the common regional base mapping for the Mackenzie Delta portions of the ISR that was also developed in 2001-2002. When completed, the full system will be used for information sharing and consultation regarding the development of the regional granular resources management plan. Completion of the granular resources management plan is planned for the next fiscal year.

A second contract initiated in 2002-2003 will update the existing geotechnical and geological borehole databases for the ISR, including the Beaufort Sea, with particular emphasis given to those delineating granular resources and identifying massive ice. This database will also be incorporated into the granular resources management plan.

Northern Oil and Gas Directorate

The Northern Oil and Gas Directorate routinely engages in environmental consultations with the IGC, representing the HTCs, prior to offering onshore and offshore lands to the oil and gas industry. Environmental information obtained from the IGC greatly assists INAC in identifying and confirming environmental sensitivities within the ISR. This information is carefully considered by the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development before offering Crown lands to industry.

As part of the consultation process, a meeting was held with the IGC on September 25, 2002 in Whitehorse to review the results of the previous year's ISR Crown lands offering, and to examine the environmental sensitivity of certain onshore and offshore lands in the next call for nominations. Subsequent to this meeting, separate discussions were held with the Aklavik and Inuvik HTCs concerning certain onshore Mackenzie Delta lands being considered for offering to the oil and gas industry.

Oil and gas exploration activities continued on the exploration licences issued by INAC in 1999 and 2002 for Crown lands in the Mackenzie Delta. These activities were undertaken in accordance with benefit plans approved under the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act and resulted in a wide range of employment, training and business supply and service contracts for Inuvialuit and other northerners.

The Directorate, INAC NWT Regional Office and Inuvialuit representatives met twice to discuss possible ways to harmonize INAC and Inuvialuit arrangements for benefits from oil and gas activities. Discussions are continuing.

Receipt of royalty filings and the assessment of royalties on the basis of laws and regulations in force on December 31, 1983 were underway.

Additional information concerning oil and gas activities in the north can be found at the Northern Oil and Gas Directorate's Web site.

NWT Region

Pingo

The Pingo (Canadian Landmark) National Historic Site (NHS) is located six kilometres south-southwest of Tuktoyaktuk. Included within its boundaries is the largest pingo in Canada and a number of others at different stages of evolution. Created over a number of years, a pingo is an ice-cored mound produced when ice grows in or below permafrost as a result of water pressure.

The agreement to create the Pingo NHS is contained in subsection 7(70) of the IFA. Legislation passed in 1996 led to the creation of the Pingo NHS. A working committee including representatives from Parks Canada and several community organizations in Tuktoyaktuk was established to guide the development and preservation of the site. This committee signed the Pingo Canadian Landmark memorandum of understanding in December 2001. During 2002-2003, priorities for implementation were identified and undertaken by all represented groups. The committee also began drafting terms of reference and a vision statement.

The ILA and INAC continued to work on transferring lands of equal value to Inuvialuit for the NHS.

National Park Regulations

Consultations were ongoing with the IGC on a public consultation process to discuss required amendments to the National Park Regulations to ensure they conform to the IFA. One focus was an amendment to allow superintendents to permit quota hunts recommended by wildlife co-management boards and approved by the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Inuvialuit Employment Strategy and Economic Opportunities

The majority of field employees in Ivvavik National Park are Inuvialuit beneficiaries. Two wardens and two patrol persons who are beneficiaries were employed during the 2002 field season. A mentoring program was in place in the field unit which placed experienced park wardens with patrol people for training purposes. An Inuvialuit employment strategy is being incorporated into the field unit human resources plan. Two Inuvialuit employees participated in an Aboriginal leadership development program.

The Western Arctic Field Unit initiated interpreter training as a means of enhancing employment opportunities for beneficiaries and the cultural component of tourism. An initial three-day course was offered in November 2002 with a follow-up course planned for the spring of 2003.

Park Canada continued to use Inuvialuit businesses on a preferred basis in the management and operation of Ivvavik National Park and other heritage resources in the ISR.

A memorandum of understanding on the First River rafting operation continued to be revised. Operational guidelines will be removed and attached as a separate document. The memorandum of understanding includes day use opportunities in the First River valley for Inuvialuit operators, including cultural interpreters and raft guides.

Porcupine Caribou Management Board

The Western Arctic field unit allocated funds to the Porcupine Caribou Management Board for various projects.

Komakuk Beach

The condition of the remediated fuel spill and landfills at Komakuk Beach in Ivvavik was monitored.

National Park Management Plan Review

The National Park Management Plan review was completed in December 2002. The WMAC-NS recommended the revised draft Plan to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and at year-end, it was en route to the Minister for approval.

Research Projects

Research activities completed in 2002 included:

• data collection on age, sex and distribution of Dall's sheep in wintering grounds in Ivvavik National Park;
• mapping surficial geography and glacial history in Tuktut Nogait National Park;
• an oral history study among the Paulatuk elders for Tuktut Nogait National Park;
• data collection on observations of wildlife in all three parks;
• data collection on distribution, abundance and breeding status of birds in all three parks;
• surveying the number of peregrine falcons and other species of raptors breeding in all three parks;
• surveying the abundance and distribution of breeding birds at two locations in Ivvavik National Park;
• surveying the abundance of collared and brown lemmings in one area of Aulavik;
• data collection on moose abundance and distribution in the Babbage River watershed on the Yukon North Slope;
• surveying the number and distribution of muskox in Tuktut Nogait National Park;
• surveying the population, body condition and wintering range of Peary caribou on Banks Island;
• surveying the number of non-calf and calf, body condition and wintering range of muskox on Banks Island;
• surveying the population size, productivity, recruitment, age and sex composition, distribution, movements and body condition of caribou in Tuktut Nogait National Park;
• surveying the size, age and sex composition, distribution and movements of the Porcupine caribou in Ivvavik National Park;
• monitoring possible changes to plant productivity in all three parks;
• conducting a reconnaissance monitoring for potential plant and climate change monitoring in Pingo Canadian Landmark;
• monitoring campsites to identify and track human-caused impacts to campsites, wildlife and sensitive plant species along the Firth River;
• documenting the extent and nature of human use of all three parks (e.g. number of visitors);
• monitoring weather, permafrost temperature and active layer temperature in all three parks;
• documenting and monitoring water flow in the Firth River in Ivvivik and the Hornaday River in Tuktut Nogait National Park;
• measuring changes in water levels and temperature during storms along the south-eastern Beaufort Sea coast;
• assessing the water quality of the Thomsen River in Aulavik, the Firth River in Ivvavik and the Hornaday River in Tuktut Nogait National Park;
• monitoring the condition of cultural sites along the Firth River in Ivvavik National Park;
• assessing the impact of erosion and visitor disturbance on cultural resources along the coast of Ivvavik National Park; and
• monitoring the conditions of cultural resources at Nasogaluak, M'Clure's Cache and Head Hill cultural sites in Aulavik.

Total Parks Canada spending on Inuvialuit goods and services was $224,569 in 2002-2003, with $14,684 in goods and $209,885 in services.