MS ROALD AMUNDSEN is a newly-launched passenger ship owned/operated by Hurtigruten AS of Tromsø, Norway. One cruise through the historic Northwest Passage from East to West is planned to the Qikiqtaaluk and Kitikmeot regions of Nunavut during summer 2019. There will be up to 480 passengers and 170 crew members (including approx. 20 members of the expedition team) plus 1 contracted Ice Pilot. Project duration in Nunavut is 8 days, from 26 August to 02 September. The vessel will clear immigration and customs in Pond Inlet (arriving from Greenland) and clear out in Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories en route to Alaska. Community visits are planned for Pond Inlet, Gjøa Haven and Cambridge Bay; with a Nunavummiut Beneficiary (Ms. Ashley Cummings from Pangnirtung, NU) hired to serve as Cultural Interpreter/Guest Lecturer as part of the staff team on board. Local services and guides will be employed when visiting communities. Equipment: MS ROALD AMUNDSEN – passenger ship. Proposed use: Vessel providing transportation/accommodations. Fuel: 550 metric tonnes, marine diesel fuel. Storage Methods: Built-in fuel tanks of the vessel. Auxiliary tender boats: Quantity: 15 (OXE-brand 7.0 Explorer rubber boats equipped with OXE PRO 150 HP diesel outboard engines). Proposed use: Sightseeing tours and to facilitate shore landings. Fuel: 50 litres marine diesel fuel (filled from ship’s main tanks). Kayaks: Quantity: 12 doubles and 6 singles. Activities include sightseeing by ship, auxiliary boat cruising, kayaking excursions and shore landings for activities such as guided interpretive walks, bird and nature-watching and hiking. Activities will follow standard operating procedures and be managed by the Expedition Leader with the assistance of a highly-experienced team of expedition staff. Landings will be of short duration and in coastal areas. Visits will follow AECO guidelines (www.aeco.no), as well as Welcoming Visitors to Nunavut guidelines and the Code of Conduct for Operators in Nunavut as provided by Cruise Nunavut. No structures will be erected (permanent/temporary), including docks or piers to support the proposed tourism activity. Tenderboats will be used for shore landings in wilderness areas. Appropriate arrangements will be made where docks or piers are available for use.Where applicable, permit/license applications will be submitted to the appropriate authorities and permits/licenses carried on board. A detailed operations plan has been compiled to evaluate environmental aspects of the planned activity and to ensure compliance with requirements under Federal and Territorial legislation. Operations have been planned to be fully self-sufficient, with activities managed by experienced personnel and to be within the search and rescue capability of the vessel, including for medical evacuation. An Environmental Impact Statement has been prepared. Alternatives considered were: 1) Changes to itinerary. 2) Changes to number of guests. 3) Changes to vessel and auxiliary craft used. 4) Changes to activities. 5) Alternative of not proceeding. It is anticipated that the environmental impact resulting from the planned activity will be not more than minor or transitory in nature.