Oceans North Canada applauds decision on Baffinland shipping

Oceans North Canada says the Nunavut Planning Commission did the right thing when it refused Baffinland Iron Mines' proposal to extend its shipping season.

Baffinland wantedto ship iron ore from its mine site on Baffin Island10months of the year, instead of insummer only. The goal was to triple the amount of ore shipped from Milne Inlet near the mine site, to 12 million tonnes per year. Theplan would involve using ice-breaking ships.

The commission decided that would be too disruptive.

"It was welcome news," says Chris Debicki, Nunavutprojects director for the conservation group Oceans North Canada.

He says there was just too much at stake, environmentallyand commercially.

"Ice-breaking that would damage that ice environment is just not consistent with the land-use plan."

Debicki says the floe edge near Pond Inlet is one of the most magnificent floe edges in the world. He says Oceans North supports efforts to establish a National Marine Conservation Area at nearby Lancaster Sound.

The decision marked the first time a project proposal was found by the Nunavut Planning Commissionto violate the North Baffin region's landuse plan.

Baffinland can still apply for an exemption from the federal government or revise its project plans.