1. Mary River Project Phase 2 Proposal Atmospheric Environment
Technical Meetings
April 8-10, 2019
Mary River Project
Phase 2 Proposal
Atmospheric Environment

2. Introduction & Overview
Confidential

3. Valued Ecological Components
Meteorology and Climate
Increase in GHG emissions during construction with considerable reduction once North Railway is operational
Air Quality
Increase in CACs during construction with considerable reduction once North Railway is operational
Noise and Vibration
Increase in noise and vibration levels during the construction
Vibration levels from construction and increased trucking have potential to affect valuable landforms, paleontological resources, and increase geohazard and geochemical risks

4. Community Feedback
A total of 50 comments or questions related to the Atmospheric Environment
4 related to Meteorology and Climate
30 related to Air Quality
16 related to Noise and Vibration

5. IQ and Engagement Influence on Noise and Vibration, Meteorology and Climate, and Air Quality
Switch from road to rail to address concerns related to effect of fugitive dust emissions
Switch from outdoor secondary crushing at the Mine Site to indoor secondary crushing at Milne Port, to address concerns related to effect of fugitive dust emissions
As part of the air monitoring program, the locations of the dust monitors that were installed in 2018 were chosen in consultation with the MHTO
Baffinland will revise applicable monitoring plans to include ‘Use of Community Input and IQ in the Monitoring Program’

6. Summary of FEIS Results
Confidential

7. Summary of Effects Assessment
VEC/VSEC
Characterization of Residual Effect(s)
Significance Rating
Meteorology and Climate (including Climate Change)
Overall, the residual effect of the Project on climate change is predicted to be:
Adverse in direction (the Project will result in GHG emissions);
Low in magnitude (not expected to contribute notably to Canadian or global GHG totals or global climate change);
Geographically widespread (GHGs cause a global effect);
Continuous in frequency; and
Irreversible (following cessation of Project GHG releasing activities, the GHGs will remain in the atmosphere for 20 years or more).
 There is a high probability of the residual effects occurring.
Not significant
Air Quality
Overall, the residual effect of the Project on air quality are predicted to be:
Adverse in direction, though positive along the road transportation corridor once rail is operational;
Of a magnitude that exceeds thresholds for certain worst-case modeled scenarios, but with additional mitigation, exceedances are not anticipated at sensitive receptors;
Geographically confined to the LSA;
Infrequent; and
Reversible with the cessation of Project activities.
There is a high probability of the residual effect occurring. There is a moderate level of confidence in the residual effects predictions for air quality.
Noise and Vibration
Overall, the residual effect of the Project on noise and vibration is predicted to be:
Adverse in direction;
Of a magnitude that exceeds thresholds for certain worst-case modelled scenarios outside of the Mine Site and Milne Port PDAs and at times at the HTO Cabin east of Milne Port;
Infrequent;
Of a duration that extends throughout the life of the Project; and
There is a high probability of the residual effect occurring. There is a high level of confidence in the residual effects predictions for noise and vibration.

8. Data History What has been done since
AQ monitoring (continuous, SO2, NO2) ( )
AQ & noise modelling for various ERP iterations ( )
Updated GHG emissions and climate change analysis (2018)
Occupational AQ & noise monitoring (2018)

9. Management Plans, Mitigation and Monitoring
Confidential

10. Management Plans, Mitigation and Monitoring
Atmospheric Environment
Key Updates (detailed updates available in Commitment Register)
Environmental Protection Plan (EPP)
Careful management of grading and excavation activities to protect thermal regime
Additional mitigation measures to protect marine and watercourse aquatic environment and habitat
Safety measures for rail crossings
Updates related to the construction and operation of the North Railway
Air Quality and Noise Abatement Management Plan
Update and add mitigation measures to reduce dustfall and noise emissions
Add new noise modelling results
Update dustfall monitoring program to account for new and modified emission sources during construction and operations

11. Information Request and Technical Comment Review
Confidential

12. Information Request Comments – Atmospheric Environment

13. Technical Comments – Atmospheric Environment

14. Technical Recommendations Summary
Technical Recommendation Category
Main Issues
Recommendation IDs
Summary of Response
Noise and Vibration
Noise and Vibration Modeling and Monitoring (Terrestrial)
HC 01; GN 03, 04, 05
Additional discussion provided on ground attenuation factors and related questions (HC 01)
Clarification provided regarding nighttime PSL at the Milne Site HTO cabin (GN 03)
Clarification provided regarding combined background and project sound levels, with no change in conclusions (GN 04)
Additional information (figure) provided on noise modelling of train pass-by not expected to be a concern at 1,500 m (GN 05)
Meteorology and Climate
Climate Change Impacts and Monitoring
ECCC 3.08, 3.15
Further discussion on black carbon (including mitigation strategies) provided; carbon black estimates are available for discussion.
Clarification provided regarding predicted changes in precipitation extremes.
Confidential

15. Technical Recommendations Summary
Technical Recommendation Category
Main Issues
Recommendation IDs
Summary of Response
Air Quality
Modelling
ECCC 3.09, 3.10, 3.11; GN 07, 19, HC 05, 06, 08
Requested emissions estimates for marine shipping CACs to be completed and discussed.
Further analysis comparing model predictions to measured values provided (ECCC 3.10).
Comparisons of model results to new CAAAQS air quality guidelines provided (ECCC 3.10 and 3.11).
Follow-up discussion regarding requested use of monitoring data in the air quality assessment provided (GN 07, 19)
An assessment of PAHs and VOCs is underway and will be provided upon completion (HC 05)
Assessment of Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) was provided (HC 05, 06); a discussion of the potential for human health exposures to PM2.5 and NO2 was also provided, as well as management approaches
Further evaluation was provided relative to air quality exposures in various areas used for camping within the airshed (HC 08)
Monitoring
ECCC 3.13
Baffinland is willing to consider implementing continuous monitoring for particulate matter – for discussion
ECCC Requested emissions estimates were to be available for the technical meetings.
ECCC 3.12 – currently addressed under alternatives “Additional information provided regarding alternative power generation and emissions control technology to reduce CAC emissions.”
Confidential

16. Technical Recommendations Summary
Technical Recommendation Category
Main Issues
Recommendation IDs
Summary of Response
Exposure Potential (Country Foods)
HHRA
HC 03, 04, 09-12
Response provided on baseline data geographic relevance for HHRA (HC 03)
Response provided on arsenic speciation assumptions, as well as the lack of need for monitoring of large mammals for cadmium and mercury due to negligible contributions from Project; support refinement of HHRA related to cadmium and mercury, but not Project-related (HC 04)
HHRA was updated to provide additional details related to air inhalation of metals on particulate; a worked example of calculations; assessment of metals additivity; oral and inhalation risk quotients, as well as other clarity items requested (HC 09, 11, 12)
Modelling of volatiles and semi-volatiles (VOC and PAH) is underway; this assessment will be available after the technical meetings. Need for monitoring will be determined based on outcomes of the risk assessment (HC 10)
Confidential