NUNAVUT - Ten years after the Government of Nunavut asked the federal government to put into place airport zoning regulations for nine airports in the territory, this request is close to being fulfilled.

Nine of Nunavut's airports will soon have federal government created airport zoning regulations limiting what can be built near the facilities. Such regulations will apply to airports like the one in Qikiqtarjuaq. After this is done the only airport in Nunavut without federal government airport zoning regulations will be in Arctic Bay. - Emily Ridlington/NNSL photo

"All the other airports excepts those on Baffin and Kugaaruk have this already," said John Hawkins, director of transportation, policy and planning, Department of Economic Development and Transportation with the Government of Nunavut.

Hawkins explained the airport zoning regulations as "an additional level of authority."

The regulations will apply to airports in Cape Dorset, Clyde River, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Kugaaruk, Pangnirtung, Pond Inlet, Qikiqtarjuaq and Sanikiluaq.

They will limit what can be built near the airport such as buildings and telecommunications structures, and the height of such things which could impact aviation safety. They also limit land uses that would attract wildlife, especially birds.

At eight of the airports this would mean limited all structures and buildings within a four kilometre radius from the mid-point of the runway. In Iqaluit, because it is a larger airport and handles larger commercial aircraft, the restricted area is much larger.

Between 1990 and 1995 the federal minister of Transport transferred ownership of 49 airports to the Government of Northwest Territories. On April 1, 1999, the airports in Nunavut were transferred over to its government. The agreement went through but the regulations were not in place and therefore fell through the cracks for these nine airports.

Hawkins said he thinks this is because at the time the Baffin airports were under the administration the federal department of transport Quebec branch.

Presently most airports are run by the hamlets with the buildings owned by the GN.

Hawkins said currently for Iqaluit there's isn't another set of regulations to govern what is built around the airport. There are only the municipal zoning bylaws.

In October 2000, the GN asked Transport Canada to transfer the airport zoning regulations to Nunavut. Since these regulations are federal, the federal government would foot the bill.

The cost of the project is to be $900,000, said Jason Campbell, regional communications officer, Prairie and Northern region, Transport Canada. He said this includes the costs for surveying, drafting the regulations, public consultations and publication.

The old airport at Nanisivik was included on the list but was removed when the GN closed it earlier this spring.

According to Campbell, it will be the responsibility of the GN to get the airport zoning regulations put in place for the new airport in Arctic Bay, which opened after Nanisivik closed.

In Grise Fiord, Mayor Meeka Kiguktak said it makes sense to have the regulations as it keeps everyone safe, but they are limiting where the community can build houses and buildings.

"We don't have much space left," she said. If there are any existing violations to the new regulations, they may be exempted but Campbell said that is on case-by-case basis and will only be done if airport and aircraft safety can be maintained.

Once the regulations have been finalized and signed off, they will be put at the local land registry office in Iqaluit. Hamlets and the territorial government can comment and provide input on the proposed regulations until May 17. The exact date of sign-off on the regulations could not be provided.

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