The Government of Nunavut (Transportation and Infrastructure) is proposing to improve the sealift area in the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq, located on the Belcher Islands in Hudson Bay. The Project is in the Qikiqtani (Qikiqtaaluk, Baffin) Region within the municipal boundaries of the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq, at approximately 56°32.4' N and 79°15.0' W. The current sealift area is functional but limited by space and a relatively short tidal operating window. The area consists primarily of a gravel pad and with an uneven surface. There is one main access point though other access points are also used, particularly by ATVs. The intertidal zone is an extension of the gravel surface leading to a sloped beach composed of soft sands and gravels. The shallow subtidal zone is characterized by smaller cobbles and rocks. The area appears to be relatively unproductive due presumably to freezing and ice scour conditions that occur annually as well as the regular access by vehicles (largely trucks and ATVs). Tides at Sanikiluaq are diurnal (2x per day) and relatively subdued with a typical range of approximately +/-1 m between low and high tide.Improvements to the current sealift area would involve: 1. Expanding the sealift laydown area by placing gravel and fill, particularly to even out the surface; surface grading; and placing riprap armouring along the outside perimeter of the marine interface to protect against erosion and ice scour. 2: Widening the barge landing area to accommodate two barges simultaneously through gravel and fill placement and grading; and resloping the ramp/barge landing area to allow access during low tides. 3. Upgrading the entry/exit points and adding signage. The Project will not require new supporting infrastructure such as roads, borrow sources, or quarries, as current access to the sealift area is sufficient and deposits developed by the Hamlet of Sanikiluaq will be utilized for granular material and riprap. Aggregate sites are available both to the east and west of Sanikiluaq and are relatively close to the Project site (e.g., within 5 km).The estimated size of the current sealift area is approximately 0.4 ha (4,200 m2). The expanded size, including the laydown area, widened barge landing ramp, and protective riprap armouring would be approximately 1.1 ha (10,925 m2), adding approximately 0.7 ha or 6,725 m2 of area to the current space used for the sealift and laydown. Construction would be seasonal, occurring ideally during the summer of 2026 but may require additional time in the summer of 2027 to complete. The estimated number of days on site is 90 (45 days each year), staffed by 7 people operating equipment.Anticipated environmental effects resulting from the Project are expected to be limited given that much of the area is already disturbed by the current sealift operation as well as by general public access. The Project footprint has been optimized to occur within areas of existing terrestrial disturbance. Potential effects to the marine environment will be limited by carrying out activities “in the dry” where possible, during falling or low tide conditions and would avoid placing materials in the shallow subtidal zone during the restricted timing window for fall spawning fish in Nunavut (August 15 to June 30). Additional mitigation measures include:•Verifying all construction-related equipment arrives on site in a clean condition.•Use of spill kits sized appropriately for the equipment involved, including spill kits within the construction area•Vehicle maintenance, including washing, refueling, and servicing, to be carried out in areas well away from water.•Storage of fuel and other chemicals or lubricants will be well away from water. •Erosion and sediment control practices (e.g., silt fencing, stopping in periods of heavy rain etc.) will be practiced during Project implementation.With the implementation of the mitigation measures proposed, it is anticipated that potential effects (harm) to the terrestrial environment and fish and fish habitat related to the construction and future operation of the Sanikiluaq sealift improvement project can be avoided and/or limited.