Coral Harbour, located on Southampton Island in northern Hudson Bay, is named for the ancient coral fossils found in the area. Some of the best opportunities to view marine wildlife in Nunavut are available in Coral Harbour and nearby Coats Island, which is home to colonies of walrus. Large populations of polar bears, caribou, beluga whales, and seals are also found in the area and the East Bay and Harry Gibbons Migratory Bird Sanctuaries provide important habitat for dozens of species of birds. The abundance of wildlife can be viewed with the assistance of local outfitters.
Potential non-renewable resources in the region include: gold, diamonds, uranium, base metals, and nickel-copper platinum group elements (PGEs).
Land Use Planning
APPROVED LAND USE PLAN
The community of Coral Harbour is located within the planning region of the Keewatin Regional Land Use Plan (KRLUP). The NPC reviews all project proposals in and around Coral Harbour to determine if the proposed activities conform to the requirements of the KRLUP.
DRAFT NUNAVUT LAND USE PLAN
Between 2004 and 2011, NPC staff visited every Nunavut community to conduct individual “Use and Occupancy Mapping” interviews to collect information on traditional land use activities “within living memory”. This community land use information is included in the Draft Plan and has been used to support decision-making.
The Commission also visited the Community on February 6-7, 2014 for community engagement meetings on the Draft Plan.
Information was presented and received from participants in Coral Harbour in accordance with Nunavut Planning Commission’s Engagement Strategy. The summary report of the Community Meetings on the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan held on February 6-7, 2014 in Coral Harbour can be found below.
The community views and comments have been very informative in the ongoing process of development and revisions of the Draft Nunavut Land Use Plan. In particular, all areas of importance identified by the community are included in the Draft Plan as “Community Priorities and Values”.