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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Project
Road Alternatives Assessment
Environmental Effects and Mitigation
Literature suggests that linear corridors (e.g. roads, transmission lines, seismic lines, etc) can
have an adverse effect on caribou populations (Leblond et al. 2011, Weir et al 2006, James and
Stuart-Smith 2000), as they facilitate access to caribou habitat by predators, which in turn
increases predation. Caribou have exhibited avoidance of linear developments resulting in the
functional loss of suitable habitat (Latham et al. 2011). Wolves in particular are known to use
linear corridors in order to increase their access to prey populations (Latham et al. 2011).
Caribou Collar Data
An investigation of caribou use of the landscape was completed through an analysis of caribou
collar data provided by the MNR in order to help determine the potential impacts to caribou and
caribou habitat, mitigation and avoidance strategies and the resulting residual impacts that
would cause the need for an Overall Benefits permit. Collar locations were separated into 5
seasons as determined by Ferguson and Elkie (2004) (Table 3.5.1). After the collar location
data were separated into seasons, an investigation was conducted in order to determine what
areas of the proposed road corridor had the potential to cause negative environmental effects to
caribou.
Table 3.5.1 Dates of caribou seasonal movement patterns for analysis (from Ferguson and Elkie
2004).
Season
Date Range
1 (Late Winter) January 21 - March 5
2 (Spring) March 6 - May 6
3 (Calving) May 7 - July 14
4 ( Post-calving) July 15 - November 14
5 (Early Winter) November 15 - January 20
The area around Springpole Lake has been recognized as a caribou wintering area, as well as
an area which has provided caribou calving locations in the past. The determination of this use
by caribou was derived from a combination of visual observations as well as caribou collar
locations. Historical visual observations were made primarily in relation to wintering activity due
to the fact that caribou and caribou tracks are more visible during the winter months. Recent
GPS collar location data has revealed areas of seasonal use by caribou within the past year. In
a landscape scale context, none of the collared caribou were found in close proximity to the
potential road corridors during winter (early and/or late winter), but were found throughout the
proposed road corridor area during spring, calving and post-calving. The OMNR has also
observed caribou on the western side of Durkin Lake in the winter.
Late Winter
The area to the north of the eastern arm of Springpole Lake, and immediately south of
Springpole Lake are considered caribou wintering areas, as evidenced by the historical
sightings of caribou during the winter. The current functionality of this area to provide winter