Monitoring Outcomes

	Temporary waste transfer station, at Voisey’s Bay. Silt fences prevent run-off from a settling pond into Camp Pond.

Waste Management
We dedicated significant effort and resources to waste management activities at the Labrador construction site during 2003. Solid waste generated in 2003 increased significantly from 2002 due to the significantly larger camp population and greater level of construction activity.

To manage the volume of waste, a Temporary Waste Transfer Station consisting of a high efficiency/low-emission incinerator, a lined temporary landfill, a lined bioremediation pad, a lined hazardous waste storage cell and a permitted burn pit went into operation at the construction site in the fall of 2003. All hazardous waste and retrograde materials were stored safely at the Transfer Station until it could be shipped off-site and all hydrocarbon-contaminated soil collected in 2003 will be bioremediated in the lined bioremediation pad.

Timber Management
Land clearing and timber harvesting activities were carried out for site preparation activities for work areas, lay down areas, roads, etc. Approximately 180 hectares of land was cleared, in compliance with the EPP and all applicable permits, in areas required for construction of infrastructure. All merchantable or forest product timber was salvaged and stockpiled. Some of the timber around the port and main campsite was transported to the beachfront, providing easy access to timber for local residents during the winter.

Wildlife
A caribou subcommittee was established in 2003, consisting of representatives from the Innu Nation, Labrador Inuit Association and VBNC. This committee addresses such issues as caribou crossings along the newly constructed haul road and caribou deterrence procedures at the airstrip.

During the 2003 construction season, an estimated 2,500 caribou passed through the project area, primarily along the beach in Edward’s Cove, from Matthew’s Point to Little Reid Brook. However, there were no problems associated with caribou on the haul road or the airstrip.

Between June 5, 2003 and November 17, 2003 there were a total of 303 bear sightings, 264 were within camp and 39 sightings occurred in other areas of the site. It is important to note that the number of sightings does not accurately account for the actual number of bears present at site because each sighting reported by a worker is recorded and several workers usually report the same bear in each area it travels. Four bears were caught in culvert traps and relocated to areas away from the construction campsite. Unfortunately two black bears had to be put down due to safety concerns during the 2003 construction year.

A major effort was undertaken to increase awareness of bear presence and proper food-garbage control at the Labrador site. The general site orientation for 2003 was strengthened to increase wildlife awareness content and place greater emphasis on proper food garbage disposal. IKC/Borealis also included wildlife awareness in their revised 2003 Safety and Environmental Awareness Orientation.

Water Quality
Water samples were taken and tested for Total Suspended Solids (TSS) during activities such as road construction, culvert installation, drilling and blasting near bodies of water, site dewatering, and pond drainage. The on-site laboratory testing services for water quality in 2003 was conducted by Minaskuat, an Aboriginal joint venture.

Water sample collection was taken in accordance with the Earthworks Water Sampling Protocol to address the potential concerns of surface water run-off from work areas into nearby natural watercourses. Approximately 540 samples were collected during the 2003 season. Although forty-eight of the sample results were above the regulatory limit of 30 mg/l downstream from mitigation measures, many of these samples were repeats taken at the same time and location and some samples were taken from releases from settling ponds or discharge lines to vegetated areas.