ARCHIVED – Meeting Summary – 25 January 2011 – Angik School, Paulatuk, NT

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Arctic Offshore Drilling Review

Meeting Summary

Date and Location
Date Location
Tuesday 25 January 2011
11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Angik School
Paulatuk, NT

Purpose: Introduce the Arctic Offshore Drilling Review to the students of Angik School

Participants
Participants
Grades 9 to 12 students
Scott Atkinson
Edward Hogan
Jeff Baxter
Jason Land
 
Doug Esogak Inuvik Game Council
Steve Baryluk Joint Secretariat
Jimmy Kalinek Inuvik Game Council
Gaétan Caron Chair and Chief Executive Officer, NEB
David Hamilton Member, NEB
Brian Chambers Northern Advisor, NEB
Bharat Dixit Technical Leader, Conservation of Resources, NEB
Pamela Romanchuk Environmental Specialist, NEB
Susan Gudgeon Northern Coordinator, Arctic Offshore Drilling Review, NEB

Introductory Remarks (NEB):

  • An overview of the Arctic Offshore Drilling Review was provided, including the mandate of the NEB, a description of the Review, the events leading up to the Review and generally where drilling may occur in the Beaufort Sea.
  • The students were asked "what would you like to know before drilling happens and what concerns do you have about offshore drilling?"

Dialogue with students:

In response to the questions put forward to the students, a number of areas of interest and concern were raised, including:

  1. Emergency Response and Preparedness:
    • Are there outside organizations that test the equipment ie blow out preventers?
  2. General:

    • We are sad and we are quiet
    • How many local people would be hired?
    • When will drilling take place?
    • Are they thinking of building a big rig?
    • Would there only be one boat out there?
    • Would it affect animals, food or hunting grounds?
    • What would be the biggest negative factor besides an oil spill?
    • People would like to know how their community would be affected (ie: how many people would come in)
    • Where is the money coming from to build the ships?
    • Is this the only big site that is being looked at?
    • If there was a leak or if a rig goes there, what are the immediate impacts on food (ie: char)?
    • The ocean is already in trouble (debris and pollution) – can't the companies be asked with all the troubles already in the oceans, why take a bigger risk
    • Why would the people allow it?
    • Oil and gas program from Inuvik (ELS program) – do you need more training or can you be hired from that?
    • How long is the ship?
    • What is the number of workers on a ship?
  3. Inspections and Monitors:

    • Would the drill go through any type of terrain under water, even in the Arctic?

  4. Unique Arctic Environment:

    • There is still recovery going on in Alaska 20 years after Exxon Valdez – recovery is very slow in the north
    • This is such a different environment from anywhere else in the world
  5. Value of Resources:

    • Many students go out on the water and whaling – what would happen if there was an accident?
    • Going on the land is just like home

Concluding Remarks and Follow-up Matters:

  • NEB will provide the students and teachers with information on how they can participate in any way they feel comfortable doing and will help with the process if they are interested
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