Nunavut board OKs seismic testing

Arctic seismic testing in Hudson Strait and Foxe Basin has been given clearance by the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

The Geological Survey of Canada project will look for unique geological features and has the potential to find petroleum resources in the Nunavut waterways.

The oceanographic survey, whichis scheduled for later this summer,has been greeted with far less opposition than a similar survey of Lancaster Sound, which was scaled back because of concerns raised in Arctic communities.

"The volume of public comments that came out on this one was a little bit less than for the ECASE [Eastern Canadian Arctic Seismic Experiment] seismic survey up in Lancaster Sound," said Ryan Barry of the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

"There were some concerns raised by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association for this file, but in general, I think the volume or the level of public concern was significantly less."

No word on final approval

It isn't clear yet whether if the project has received final approval and been granted a research licence by the Nunavut Research Institute.

The Qikiqtani Inuit Association did criticize the federal government for "severely misguided" attempts at consultation on Hudson Strait and Foxe Basin.

Consultations haven't taken place yet, but a spokesperson for Natural Resources Canada said they will later this year.

Seismic testing sends sound waves through water to determine what is below.

People in Nunavut communities expressed concern about seismic testing's possible impact on marine life during public consultations about the testing in Lancaster Sound, which the federal government is considering designating a national marine conservation area. There was also concern about what would happen if oil and gas resources were found.

Federal scientists have said seismic testing will not harm marine animals, and that they won't be exploring for oil and gas.