POOR ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AT VOISEY'S BAY
Sheshatshiu - The Innu Nation has called on the Province not to issue
permits for the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company's plans to build a road and
airstrip at the Voisey's Bay site because the location of the airstrip that
the company plans to build this summer is unsuitable for the operation of
the mine.
Despite repeated assurances to the Innu, the Inuit and to the Environmental
Assessment Panel reviewing the Voisey's Bay Project that any work at the
site would be done in such a way that it could be upgraded or reclaimed,
the Voisey's Bay Nickel Company now plans to build two airstrips at the
site. The airstrip planned for this summer cannot be extended to accomodate
larger aircraft because it is located in an area where larger aircraft
would not have sufficient terrain clearance for fully loaded takeoffs and
landings. The Innu Nation has now learned that the company is now exploring
several alternative locations for a second airstrip.
In a letter sent yesterday to Minister of Environment Oliver Langdon, Innu
Nation Katie Rich wrote: "What this will mean is that, because VBNC insists
upon going ahead with what it calls its Exploration Support Works this
summer, there will be a need to disturb two areas for separate airstrips,
if the mine project proceeds."
"Not only is this an example of poor environmental planning which could be
avoided by proper and comprehensive environmental assessment, which is what
the Innu Nation had insisted be part of the approach under the Memorandum
of Understanding, but, as well, it is directly contrary to many statements
that VBNC has made publicly in relation to the airstrip."
VBNC has consistently maintained that the road and airstrip that it plans
to build this summer were designed and located in such a way that they
could be incorporated into the mine and mill. The Innu and Inuit have
objected to the company's piecemeal approach, and have maintained that the
entire project must be assessed under a single, comprehensive Panel review
to avoid creating unnecessary environmental impacts.
"All of the company's statements and reassurances now sound very hollow.
This is no way for a company to build a respectful relationship with
Aboriginal people. Our fears about the unnecessary disturbance of our land
are now being realized. We are worried about what they are going to do
next. We know that if they proceed with they are going to have to build a
second airstrip. We now wonder what else they haven't told us."
"We are going to be appealing the court's decision to allow the
infrastructure to proceed, and we call on the Minister not to issue any
permits for work at the site until we have a much clearer picture of the
Company's plans. That picture can only come through a comprehensive
environmental review.", concluded Rich.
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Larry Innes Visit the Innu Nation WWW site:
Environmental Advisor http://www.web.net/~innu
Innu Nation
P.O. Box 119, Sheshatshiu, Labrador, Canada A0P 1M0
phone: (709) 497-8398 email: innuenv@web.net fax: (709) 497-8396
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