CLYDE RIVER, NU, July 28, 2014 /CNW/ - Community groups from
the small Nunavut town of
Clyde River filed an application
today at the Federal Court of Appeal challenging a decision of the
National Energy Board (NEB) to permit seismic testing in Baffin Bay
and Davis Strait.
Seismic testing is a first step in offshore oil and gas
drilling. The seismic survey in this case would involve a
seismic ship travelling back and forth across Baffin Bay and
Davis Strait, towing an array of
airguns that produce pulses of sound waves under the water.
At 230 decibels, these airguns are far louder than any sound
known to most human beings — about 100,000 times louder than a jet
engine — and they would repeat every 13 to 15 seconds, 24 hours a
day, while operating. Exposure to 140 decibels causes permanent
hearing loss in humans.
Baffin Bay and Davis Strait, the
areas of the proposed seismic testing, are rich in sea mammals,
including narwals, bowheads, walruses, and seals. These
marine mammals are staples of Inuit diet and culture.
Unsurprisingly, seismic testing is harmful to marine life. The
heavy sounds and vibrations caused by seismic testing can cause
permanent damage to marine animals, including permanent hearing
loss, disruption of feeding, and disruption of migration
routes.
Because of these significant risks, numerous Nunavut-based institutions and groups had
asked the NEB to withhold approval for the project until further
research could be done on the safety of the proposed seismic
testing.
Despite widespread concerns from the Nunavut communities, and despite acknowledging
the risks to marine wildlife, the NEB approved the project last
month.
Given the potentially catastrophic consequences of poorly
regulated seismic testing on Inuit communities, the Hamlet of
Clyde River, the Nammautaq Hunters
and Trappers Organization of Clyde
River, and the Mayor of Clyde
River, Jerry Natanine, have
gone to the Federal Court of Appeal to seek judicial review of the
NEB's decision.
"Inuit have lived off of this land and these waters for over
4,000 years," said Mayor Natanine. "The marine mammals in
these waters are central to our way of life. They are our
food and are integral to our culture. If the oil companies
take that away, we'll have nothing left."
"The NEB's decision violates the fundamental rights of the
people of Nunavut," added
constitutional lawyer Nader Hasan,
who is representing the Clyde River applicants in this
lawsuit. "The federal government has a solemn constitutional
obligation to meaningfully consult and accommodate the people of
Nunavut on any issues affecting
their Aboriginal or treaty rights. That didn't happen
here. Once again, the NEB was a rubber stamp for the Energy
Industry."
Mayor Natanine added: "I want to be clear that we're not opposed
to all mineral, oil or gas extraction. But we need assurances
that our food, economy and culture will not be destroyed."
Unless the Clyde River applicants prevail in court, seismic
testing in Baffin Bay and Davis
Strait will begin in 2015.
SOURCE Ruby Shiller Chan
Hasan