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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Project
Road Alternatives Assessment
3. Manage habitat arrangement and connectivity within the Range by minimizing fragmentation
of refuge and winter habitat by linear features and other disturbances
Connectivity of habitat will be maintained by placing corridors outside caribou habitat, or near
the edges of caribou habitat where possible. The northern portion of road Option A will utilize
portions of a pre-existing exploration trail, thereby reducing the degree of fragmentation in this
wintering area. The area immediately south and east of Springpole Lake has also traditionally
been used as a wintering area. A large fire in 2011 burned a significant portion of the landscape
south of Springpole Lake and Seagraves Lake, effectively eliminating its current suitability as a
wintering area. Despite being historically used as wintering area, caribou collar data showed
that the burned area south of Springpole Lake was avoided by collared caribou throughout the
late winter of 2012. The burned area will eventually track back to suitable winter caribou habitat,
however, this will likely take upwards of 40 years to occur. This area was designated as a “Cblock”
in the dynamic caribou harvesting schedule (due to be harvested in 2039-2059). After the
Birch River crossing, corridor Option A skirts around the eastern end of Springpole Lake through
the edge of a “D-block”, due to be harvested in 2059-2079. The portion of the corridor through
the “D-block” would not fragment this habitat as it is located at the extreme west end of the
mosaic. The northern portion of corridor Option A then goes through a “B-block”, due for harvest
in 2019-2039. This portion of the corridor would fragment the southern portion of the “B-block”,
however, this area is scheduled for harvesting in the next 7 to 27 years. It is anticipated that
harvesting operations would begin in the southern portion of the “B-block” where the road is
situated and progress northward throughout the next 20 years. Conversely, corridor Option B is
located within an “A-block” (due to be harvested in 2009-2019), an “E-block” (due to be
harvested in 2079-2099), then into the same “B-block” as corridor option A.
The 2012 caribou collar data clearly shows individuals utilizing seasonally different and distinct
portions of the study area throughout the year. Movement between these seasonal areas of
concentration may potentially be negatively affected through the construction of a road corridor.
The current collar location data indicates that corridor Option A has the potential to affect
movement from calving areas to post calving areas near Dead Dog Lake and on the north shore
of Springpole Lake. Negative effects of the corridor construction can be reduced by avoiding
use of the road during critical times (calving and post calving), not plowing the road in the winter
when it is not being used (to reduce potential suitability for wolves), and restricting traffic speeds
and usage.
4. Avoid increases in predator efficiency (i.e. distribution, ease of travel) by minimizing the
density of linear features
The “provision of access” has been designated as a key strategy necessary to meet the
objectives of the current Trout Lake FMP. In support of this strategy a road construction
program was designed within the FMP to allow for forest access as well as minimizing conflicts
with other users. The goal of the general road strategy presented in the FMP is to reduce the