Inuvik (Nov 20/06) - Snow geese, Tundra Swans and Arctic Terns might be bothered by loud industry near the Kendall Island bird sanctuary, Environment Canada has argued.

However, the legal counsel of Imperial Oil said a proposed natural-gas facility would not affect the birds because it would be quiet.

On Nov. 16, the two sides were in Inuvik to debate the issue before the Joint Review Panel for the Mackenzie Gas Project.

Craig Machtans, a forest bird biologist for Environment Canada, said the proposed Taglu natural-gas conditioning plant - as well as subsequent development including a proposed airfield and campsite for nearly 300 people - might create too much noise and chase birds away, if efforts aren't made to dampen sound.

"Community members have indicated they are nervous about the noise on many levels," he said.

Imperial Oil legal representative Don Davies said there was plenty of room in the 60,600 hectare Kendall Island sanctuary, and added the proposed project would abide by government limits.

These limits say noise must be dampened to 50 decibels or less, as audible from 300 metres away.

"Now I would ask, if everyone could just be quiet for a moment and listen to the ceiling fans, please," Davies said at one point. "Would Environment Canada argue the sound levels in the average Canadian home is about 50 decibels?"

Machtans agreed this was true, but said the government was skeptical that a 300-person camp, busy airfield, and potential 17-well project could be done so quietly.

"Background sound has been shown to affect songbirds," Machtans said.

The Kendall Island bird sanctuary sits atop the Taglu gas field.