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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Access Corridor Project
Final Environmental Study Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Location and Land Tenure ...................................................................................... 2
1.2 History ..................................................................................................................... 2
1.3 Objective and Justification for Project .................................................................... 3
1.4 Scope of the Report and Notice to Readers ........................................................... 5
2.0 Assessment of Alternatives ............................................................................................. 6
2.1 Assessment of Alternative Methods ....................................................................... 6
2.2 Assessment of Alternative Locations ...................................................................... 7
2.2.1 Western Corridor 7
2.2.2 Eastern Corridor 13
2.2.3 Selection of Preferred Alternative 18
3.0 Consultation and Required Approvals for Project ......................................................... 20
3.1 Aboriginal Communities ........................................................................................ 20
3.1.1 Cat Lake, Slate Falls and Lac Seul First Nations 20
3.1.2 Wabauskang First Nation 23
3.1.3 Métis Nation of Ontario 25
3.1.4 Protection of Aboriginal Values and Sensitive Sites 25
3.1.5 Skills Transfer and Capacity Building Initiatives 26
3.1.6 Measures to Protect Aboriginal and Treaty Rights 27
3.2 Public Stakeholders .............................................................................................. 29
3.2.1 Pre-2012 Consultation 29
3.2.2 Project Consultation 29
3.3 Government .......................................................................................................... 35
3.4 Regulatory Approvals Process ............................................................................. 35
3.4.1 Provincial 35
3.4.2 Federal 36
4.0 Environmental Setting .................................................................................................... 37
4.1 Current Land Use and Archaeological Values ..................................................... 38
4.2 Climate .................................................................................................................. 39
4.3 Surface Waters ..................................................................................................... 39
4.4 Ground Water ....................................................................................................... 40
4.5 Soils ....................................................................................................................... 40
4.6 Terrestrial Plant and Animal Life ........................................................................... 40
4.7 Aquatic Plant and Animal Life ............................................................................... 41
4.8 Local Air Quality, Noise and Light ......................................................................... 41
4.9 Socio-Cultural Setting ........................................................................................... 41
5.0 Project Description ......................................................................................................... 43
5.1 Construction .......................................................................................................... 44
5.2 Operation, Maintenance and Surveillance ............................................................ 50
5.2.1 Road Use Strategy 51
5.3 Decommissioning .................................................................................................. 52
6.0 Potential Effects and Mitigation Measures .................................................................... 54
July 2013
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