Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Project
Road Alternatives Assessment
rates, relatively slow development as compared to other mammals and occur at low density on
the landscape (OMNR 1996).
Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) are managed as furbearers in Ontario, and are the most widely
distributed cat species in Canada. Their range closely matches that of their main prey species,
the snowshoe hare. Lynx inhabit boreal and sub-boreal forest types, preferring regenerating
stands greater than 20 years of age with abundant ground litter, while generally avoiding
younger and recently disturbed stands. Lynx population size fluctuates widely over 8-11 year
periods, reflecting variations in snowshoe hare abundance, with a lag of 1-2 years (Poole 2003).
Lynx are carnivorous, and while snowshoe hare make up the majority of the diet, red squirrels
(Tamiasciurius hudsonicus), muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus), meadow voles, white-tailed deer
fawns, upland game birds and carrion may all be eaten. Male and female lynx maintain fairly
large territories of up to 50 km 2 and with the exception of the breeding season in late-winter,
stay within their own territory. Lynx are capable of a high reproductive output during times of
resource abundance and have been shown to disperse great distances in response to local
perturbations. These factors make lynx populations fairly resilient to localized habitat
disturbance, particularly given time and removal of the disturbance.
The beaver (Castor canadensis) is an important keystone species of significant cultural value in
Ontario. While it occurs in a variety of habitats, it prefers to live in slow-moving streams or lakes
adjacent to young or regenerating forest stands of willow, alder and aspen. The dam building
activities of beavers result in large scale alterations to the landscape, including the formation of
ponds and meadows, long-term changes in vegetation communities, geologic and hydrological
features, nutrient cycling, as well as changes in local vertebrate and invertebrate communities
(Ives 1942, Naiman et al. 1988). Beavers cut large amounts of wood from riparian areas for use
in the building of dams and lodges. The impoundments resulting from dam construction
increase safety from predators and improve access to food resources. Beaver lodges serve as
protection from predators, sites for parturition and as a means of moderating extreme
temperatures during winter. While a variety of tree species may be selected as building
materials, the bark, leaves and twigs of birch (Betula sp.), willow (Salix sp.) andaspen (Populus
spp.) are preferred as food sources. Prior to the onset of winter, beavers stockpile large
volumes of branches submerged or partially submerged in close proximity to their lodges.
During the summer, beavers include aquatic and semi-aquatic plants as well as terrestrial herbs
and forbs in their diet. Beavers are monogamous, mating during the winter, with young born in
late May or early June. While relatively secure from predators when near or in water, wood
harvesting on land or overland dispersal exposes beavers to predation. The most important
predators of the beaver are wolves and coyotes, but red foxes, black bears, lynx and wolverines
will all occasionally prey on beavers.
Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) are a common and important furbearer in Ontario. Semi-aquatic,
muskrats always live near slow-moving streams, ponds, lakes, and in particular, marshes.
Preference is for standing water approximately 1.5 – 2.0 m deep. These conditions support
growth of aquatic plants such as arrowhead (Sagittaria sp.), water lily (Nymphaea sp.), cattail