Environmental Impacts
Water and waste water usage are authorized under 8WLC-NWT1819.
It is important to note that DND operates under strict environmental guidelines. CAF personnel will not be using generators at either location. Some of the environmental protection measures that will be implemented include but are not limited to:
a. all CAF personnel will be briefed with respect to general environmental awareness, including spill response and reporting procedures;
b. all waste produced by CAF personnel will be collected and disposed of by CAF personnel (all waste created on Devon Island will be brought on board CHA, and all waste produced in Iqaluit will be disposed of IAW Iqaluit Municipal regulations);
c. all hazardous materials, fuel storage, and vehicle parking areas are subject to inspection by environmental support staff. All involved elements will appoint an environmental representative, accountable for the supervision of best environmental practices;
d. all hazardous materials and fuel will be stored in approved storage containers and facilities, including compliant secondary containment;
e. local treatment systems and municipal landfill or incineration will be used for the disposal of human waste wherever possible. Waste generated by personnel on Devon Island will be bagged and packed out for appropriate disposal;
f. hazardous waste will be appropriately packaged and transported to a suitable facility for disposal, in accordance with appropriate regulations – provided by an approved third party waste disposal facility if required.
Permitting process requires detailed information regarding the nature and locations of the operation. The information contained in this document that is known at the time of production.
The following is a list of potential impacts that could result from the proposed activities:
a. activity and vehicle traffic from the proposed activities is expected to increase ambient noise levels and may also cause minor disturbance to the wildlife within the vicinity of activity locations; however, because all activities will be temporary and all wildlife will be actively avoided, impacts are expected to be minimal;
b. emission from vehicles involved in the operation will release particulate into the atmosphere and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Air quality in the vicinity of activities may be temporarily reduced due to the increased fumes; however, due to the relatively short duration of the activity, and the minimal use of vehicles, impacts to the atmosphere are expected to be minimal;
c. despite efforts to ensure that all waste material is to be properly contained and transported back to municipal facilities for disposal, the potential exists for waste material produced to litter property or be windblown onto surrounding locations; however, every effort will be made to ensure this does not happen, making the impact easily mitigated and insignificant; and
d. should a fuel leak and/or spill occur from vehicles, equipment, etc., the possibility exists for contamination of ground water resources, soil and/or surface water; however, all units traveling on the land will have spill cleanup supplies, and will be instructed on their use, making the potential for a malfunction and/or accident to cause any significant impact is low.
Although there is potential for activities to impact the environment, mitigation measures have been established to minimize their significance. These mitigation measures, include, but are not limited to:
a. an environmental brief will be provided to personnel involved in the exercise to ensure they have the required general level of environmental awareness and knowledge including requirements related to wildlife prevention, response, and reporting;
b. vehicle movement will be restricted to avoid sensitive areas where possible. In the event that established trails are impassable, personnel will be instructed to use alternate routes for as limited a distance as necessary;
c. individuals will be tasked to ensure that waste material and litter is collected on the site prior to departing the camp location. All waste produced on Devon Island will be packed out to CHA and all waste produced in Iqaluit will be packed out to municipal facilities for proper disposal;
d. in order to prevent any unnecessary wildlife encounters, all waste will be appropriately contained, stored, and removed from the sites as soon as possible;
e. personnel will be made aware of the potential for threats from local wildlife and instructed to avoid encounters or disrupting any wildlife. Canadian Rangers will be on site in Iqaluit and on Devon Island to assist with wildlife protection;
f. all activities that generate excess noise will be minimized to the furthest extent possible;
g. vehicles and equipment will be maintained in good repair to prevent leakage of fluids and fuel;
h. when in built up area, all vehicle/equipment refueling will occur at a commercial or municipal site;
I. use of spill containment items, including drip pans or mobile plastic berms, will be used during refueling;
j. all fuel storage systems and containers used in the proposed operation will be transported, stored, protected and handled according to proper legislation, regulation, codes and guidelines; and
k. HAZMAT prevention/response resources (spill pans, hydrocarbon spill pads, etc.) will be available and ready for use if required. Spill kits will be specifically located at all fuel storage areas, vehicle maintenance areas, and refueling areas.
Waste Management
Waste Type |
Quantity Generated |
Treatement Method |
Disposal Method |
Greywater |
0.3 cubic meter |
none |
gravel filtration |
Sewage (human waste) |
4 kg/day |
none |
Human waste produced will be collected (bagged), stored, and returned to the military vessel for proper disposal. |
Non-Combustible wastes |
12 kg/day |
none |
All non-combustible waste produced in the field will be returned to the military vessel. |