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Northern and Offshore Development Overview

Beginning in 1974 with an office in Inuvik, AXYS has developed unmatched northern capacity in a wide range of development projects including:

• onshore and offshore developments
• terrestrial and aquatic environmental studies
• archaeological and heritage resources investigations
• traditional knowledge and land use studies
• community involvement and public consultation programs

We're also experienced in diamond and metal mines, hydroelectric, highway, communications, and land use planning and active in strategic planning, community development, environmental education, traditional knowledge studies and marine protected areas.

Northern Presence

The Northern and Offshore Development Business Unit is integrated with KAVIK-AXYS Inc., an Inuvialuit company, based in Inuvik. The company is one of four environmental consulting firms on the approved list of Inuvialuit companies. As such, KAVIK-AXYS is permitted to operate within the Inuvialuit Settlement Region and to access any specialist needs and services it requires from AXYS Environmental Consulting Ltd. and AXYS Analytical Services Ltd.

Nu Nennè-AXYS Inc. is a partnership between Cold Lake First Nations (CLFN) and AXYS. Nu Nennè-AXYS provides complete environmental consulting services to clients operating within the traditional lands of the CLFN.

We offer a key northern presence, expertise from over 130 professionals, a unique blend of local ownership and management, and proactive community consultation for our northern clients.

Key Services

Northern Research and Development

KAVIK-AXYS provides our clients with a northern advantage by providing opportunities to integrate local knowledge with business opportunities and environmental best practices.

Environmental Impact Assessment

The delivery of EIAs is a cornerstone of our community services. Assessment services include advanced technical capability, skilled project management, public and government consultation, and continued support during public hearings and review.

Cumulative Effects Assessment

We are at the forefront of CEA practice with the development of new and innovative approaches to assessing cumulative effects. We view CEA both as a specialty within the conventional EIA process, and as an emerging discipline unto itself. KAVIK-AXYS has developed and evolved advanced analytical tools and approaches to produce comprehensive assessments that deliver the appropriate level of information to government regulators and the public.

Terrestrial Services

Our biologists have extensive expertise with species-specific life histories and habitat requirements, as well as broader concepts of conservation biology and sustainability. In addition, they regularly employ a suite of state-of-the-art modeling techniques for evaluating habitat suitability and effectiveness, habitat connectivity and biodiversity.

With comprehensive experience in native vegetation, community classification and mapping, impact assessment, rare plant identification, weed management, and revegetation planning, we are leaders in assessment methodologies for rare plants. Our botanists have developed practical mitigation strategies for minimizing project impacts to plants of nutritional and medicinal value. We work closely with Northerners to identify important vegetation communities, and to integrate local knowledge with western science.

Public Participation

KAVIK-AXYS staff have considerable training and experience in planning, coordinating and facilitating numerous participation programs for a range of development projects.

Training

Training is viewed by KAVIK-AXYS as a facilitated exchange of knowledge to improve our client's capabilities or the public's understanding of issues and accepted practices. Training can supplement internal development programs or provide the beginnings for such initiatives.

Selected Experience

Mackenzie Gas Project

EIA for the Mackenzie Gas Project, a proposed 1300 km natural gas pipeline system along the Mackenzie Valley of Canada's Northwest Territories to connect northern onshore gas fields with North American markets.

Studies include spring and fall waterfowl surveys and detailed wildlife and vegetation surveys and mapping. KAVIK-AXYS also provides technical coordination on this project including community consultation, filing of screening submissions and research permit applications, and regulatory liaison.

Devon Canada Corporation: Beaufort Sea Exploration Drilling Program

EIA for Devon's proposal to drill offshore wells in the Beaufort Sea, including input into the project description, designing and conducting relevant environmental research to support the application, and final preparation of the EIA and other relevant regulatory applications.

Chevron Canada Resources: Mackenzie Delta Onshore Drilling Program

Project description for submission to the Environmental Impact Screening Committee (EISC) in support of a proposed winter onshore drilling program in the Mackenzie Delta. Submission includes an overview of environmental conditions, mitigation plans, reclamation and emergency response plans, and cumulative effects.

Diavik Diamond Mines Inc: Diavik Diamonds Project

Wildlife assessment and terrestrial cumulative effects assessment for the Diavik Diamonds Project, a diamond mine located in Lac de Gras, roughly 300 km northeast of Yellowknife, expected to produce approximately 107 million carats of diamonds over its life span.

As part of the project, KAVIK-AXYS provided an expert witness for caribou energetics at the DIAND technical sessions in support of the Diavik Diamonds Project Comprehensive Study.

Department of Sustainable Development, Government of Nunavut: Doris North Project

Review of the Draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) and supporting study documents for a proposed underground gold mine on Inuit Owned Land to provide an assessment of the adequacy of the work with recommendations for an intervention at the Nunavut Impact Review Board hearing on the Draft EIS.

Environmental Impact Screening Committee (EISC) and the Environmental Impact Review Board (EIRB): Cumulative Effects Guidelines

Assistance to the EISC and the EIRB in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region in developing guidelines for the consideration of cumulative effects to facilitate the review of project applications. Three publications were developed as a result of this work:

1. Cumulative Effects Assessment in Project Applications in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region: Current and Potential Capability (PDF, 652 KB)
2. Cumulative Effects Assessment in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region: A Guide for Reviewers (PDF, 494 KB)
3. Cumulative Effects Assessment in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region: A Guide for Proponents (PDF, 592 KB)

The Joint Secretariat - Inuvialuit Renewable Resource Committees: Inuvialuit Harvest Study

Coordination of the Inuvialuit Harvest Study for the Joint Secretariat in Inuvik, NT from 1987 to 1996, which involved the management and coordination of all aspects of the study including preparation of the annual Inuvialuit Harvest Study Data Report and a 10-year summary report on the methods and data of the Study.