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

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

goldcanyon.ca
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06.05.2015 Views

Gold Canyon Resources Inc. Springpole Gold Project Road Alternatives Assessment management focus on caribou, combined with the abundance of the late winter moose habitat, the significance of the potential environmental effects is low. Mitigation will involve avoiding moose wintering areas during access road construction where possible. Colonial bird nesting sites - The only colonial nesting birds located within the study area were Bonaparte’s gulls. There is little quantitative information on the effects of human activities on gulls, but Bonaparte’s gulls are considered to be intolerant of human activity (OMNR 2010), therefore the potential negative environmental effects are considered to be high. The effects of roads on Bonaparte’s gulls nesting is unknown, but the Stand and Site Guide (OMNR 2010) assumes disturbance will be similar to Great Blue Heron Rookeries, with roads affecting the location, size, and occupancy of colonies. Moreover, roads landings, and aggregate pits create large canopy gaps in forest surrounding nests. Significant colonial bird nesting sites are those that are the only known sites in the area, support several species of concern and have high numbers of species. Significant sites also have little disturbance, and a long history of use. Bonaparte’s gulls are not considered “at risk”, and are considered of moderate conservation concern. Therefore, the significance of the potential environmental effects on the nesting colony is considered to be low due to the fact that other nest sites occur throughout the area, the colony is in an area with moderate disturbance, and there are no species of concern or other known nesting species. Following the direction provided in the Stand and Site Guide (OMNR 2010), a 150 m radius buffer will be maintained around the nesting colony to mitigate potential disturbance and allow for the retention of nesting habitat. The access road will be kept below the 20 m recommended maximum width in close proximity to the nesting colony site. Waterfowl stopover and staging areas - There are no known waterfowl stopover and staging areas within the RSA. Waterfowl nesting sites - A ring-necked duck nest was located near the Springpole camp. There are no species of waterfowl considered to be “at risk” in Canada or Ontario, however, ringnecked ducks are considered to be high priority for conservation planning (NAWMP 2004). There is very little information pertaining to the reactions of nesting waterfowl to road construction or the consequences of disturbance in general, but reactions are likely highlycontext specific (OMNR 2010). Ground nesting waterfowl such as ring-necked ducks tend not to flush from the nest until humans are very close (1-6m), therefore the Stand and Site Guide recommends a minimum of 10 m buffering distance of occupied nests (OMNR 2010). Potential nest sites for ring-necked duck are not considered rare within the RSA (grassy sites within 200 m of water (OMNR 2010)). There is no evidence of nest fidelity in ring-necked ducks, nor does this site support large concentrations of nesting waterfowl, other species of conservation concern, or a variety of waterfowl species, therefore the significance of the potential environmental effects to nesting ring-necked ducks should be negligible and would require no mitigation.

Gold Canyon Resources Inc. Springpole Gold Project Road Alternatives Assessment Shorebird migratory stopover areas, Landbird Migratory stopover areas, Raptor winterfeeding and roosting areas, Turkey vulture summer roosting areas, Reptile hibernacula, Bat hibernacula - There are no known shorebird migratory stopover areas, landbird migratory stopover areas, raptor winterfeeding and roosting areas, turkey vulture summer roosting areas, reptile hibernacula, or bat hibernacula within the RSA. Rare Vegetation Communities or Specialized Habitats for Wildlife Old-growth or mature forest stands - The Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide indicates that forest stands that are 120 year old or older (“old growth”), can be significant. However, the Guide refers to stands found in southern Ontario, which can be very rare. In the boreal forest, “old growth” stands are more abundant than in southern Ontario, but do still play a key role in maintaining ecological integrity. Forest stands of 120 years of age and older are harvested by forestry companies daily, therefore, it would be remiss to consider all stands of this age class as being significant. The more significant “old growth” stands are those comprised of rare species or on rare ecosites (i.e. black ash (Fraxinus nigra), or cedar swamps on very rich sites). None of these stands have been found to occur within the RSA, therefore the potential environmental effects are considered to be negligible and no mitigation is required. Moose calving areas - There are a number of moose calving sites located within the RSA, however none of them have the potential to be affected by the road corridor. Therefore, the significance of the potential environmental effects on moose calving areas should be negligible and would require no mitigation. Moose aquatic feeding areas (MAFAs) - Two MAFAs occur within the RSA, however neither of them have the potential to be affected by the road corridor. Therefore, the significance of the potential environmental effects on MAFAs should be negligible and would require no mitigation. Mineral licks - A mineral lick has been identified within the RSA, however it is located on an island in Springpole Lake and is therefore not at risk of being affected through any Project development. Mink, otter, marten and fisher denning sites - There are no known mink, otter or fisher denning sites within the RSA. Habitats of Species of Conservation Concern Table 3.6.1 lists all of the provincially rare (S1, S2, S3) species that have the potential to occur in the Springpole lake area. No habitat of the species listed in Table 3.6.1 was located during field investigations

<strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Canyon</strong> Resources Inc.<br />

Springpole <strong>Gold</strong> Project<br />

Road Alternatives Assessment<br />

Shorebird migratory stopover areas, Landbird Migratory stopover areas, Raptor winterfeeding<br />

and roosting areas, Turkey vulture summer roosting areas, Reptile hibernacula, Bat hibernacula<br />

- There are no known shorebird migratory stopover areas, landbird migratory stopover areas,<br />

raptor winterfeeding and roosting areas, turkey vulture summer roosting areas, reptile<br />

hibernacula, or bat hibernacula within the RSA.<br />

Rare Vegetation Communities or Specialized Habitats for Wildlife<br />

Old-growth or mature forest stands - The Significant Wildlife Habitat Technical Guide indicates<br />

that forest stands that are 120 year old or older (“old growth”), can be significant. However, the<br />

Guide refers to stands found in southern Ontario, which can be very rare. In the boreal forest,<br />

“old growth” stands are more abundant than in southern Ontario, but do still play a key role in<br />

maintaining ecological integrity. Forest stands of 120 years of age and older are harvested by<br />

forestry companies daily, therefore, it would be remiss to consider all stands of this age class as<br />

being significant. The more significant “old growth” stands are those comprised of rare species<br />

or on rare ecosites (i.e. black ash (Fraxinus nigra), or cedar swamps on very rich sites). None of<br />

these stands have been found to occur within the RSA, therefore the potential environmental<br />

effects are considered to be negligible and no mitigation is required.<br />

Moose calving areas - There are a number of moose calving sites located within the RSA,<br />

however none of them have the potential to be affected by the road corridor. Therefore, the<br />

significance of the potential environmental effects on moose calving areas should be negligible<br />

and would require no mitigation.<br />

Moose aquatic feeding areas (MAFAs) - Two MAFAs occur within the RSA, however neither of<br />

them have the potential to be affected by the road corridor. Therefore, the significance of the<br />

potential environmental effects on MAFAs should be negligible and would require no mitigation.<br />

Mineral licks - A mineral lick has been identified within the RSA, however it is located on an<br />

island in Springpole Lake and is therefore not at risk of being affected through any Project<br />

development.<br />

Mink, otter, marten and fisher denning sites - There are no known mink, otter or fisher denning<br />

sites within the RSA.<br />

Habitats of Species of Conservation Concern<br />

Table 3.6.1 lists all of the provincially rare (S1, S2, S3) species that have the potential to occur<br />

in the Springpole lake area. No habitat of the species listed in Table 3.6.1 was located during<br />

field investigations

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