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

Comments Received at Open Houses conducted on May 27, 28 and June 11
Concern / Question Mitigation / Response Raised by
Other comments, unrelated to the road project
concern for mining and draining the
lake, worried about the quality of water
which will drain through SFFN when
mining starts;
Comment that Springpole is an
important lake. It is a source of clean
drinking water, it is a naturally springfed
lake, and is the deepest lake in the
area.
Mining is not being proposed at this time, this EA is for a winter road only to facilitate
continued exploration and resource definition work. Although out of scope for this EA:
GCU is committed to meet or exceed all MNR, MOE and DFO regulations and
operational guidelines with respect to water quality; follow best practices for all work
conducted on the property, and continue to conduct regular water quality testing to
avoid negative impacts to Springpole and other lakes in the watershed.
For the mining operation GCU will obtain an Environmental Compliance Approval
pursuant to Section 20.2 of Part II.1 of the Environmental Protection Act. This approval
imposes stringent effluent criteria that are protective of the receiving waterbody in
accordance with provincial policy. In plain language, the waterbody needs to remain
“fishable, swimmable and drinkable” and this approval often requires very stringent
effluent criteria on discharges.
Several SFFN community members, one
CLFN community member
concern that when GCU leases the land
for mining activities there will be no
benefit to the trapline holder for the
land that is lost from his trapline.
Although out of scope for this EA: GCU will work with the trapper to mitigate any
impacts to his trapline activities to the best of their ability, however, GCU recognizes
that the trapline holder will lose use of the part of his trapline area covered by the
mining actifities for the duration of the construction, operation and reclaimation
phases of the mine. At the end of the mine life, the lands used for mining will be
reclaimed and restored to their natural state. GCU will work with the trapper to
mitigate as many impacts to his trapping activities as possible, and provide
accommodation for any impacts that cannot be mitigated.
CLFN trapline holder
2 tradititional harvesting periods were
identified:
1 week in August for trout fishing in
Springpole Lake and
1 week in late September for moose
hunting in the Birch/Springpole general
area.
Although out of scope for this EA: GCU is open to discussion about modifying or
suspending activities at the project site during these Traditional Harvesting periods
and/or allowiing workers to schedule time off to participate in these activities, thereby
allowing Traditional Harvesting to be conducted on schedule.
CLFN trapline holder
commented that a worker from CLFN
was advised that he could not bring a
firearm to the work site to be used for
hunting while working for Gold Canyon
Although out of scope for this EA: GCU recognizes FN rights to harvest in their
Traditional Lands, but while in the employ of GCU, no workers will be allowed to
conduct hunting activities in work areas as this is a safety issue.
CLFN trapline holder
comment that the portage between
Springpole Lake and Birch Lake are very
important to the people of CLFN to
access Birch Lake for harvesting
Althought out of scope for this EA: GCU respects the rights of FN people to travel
within their traditional lands and will not impede access through the portage between
the 2 lakes. GCU would ask that travellers proceed slowly through GCU work areas,
leaving a wide berth between their boats and the drill rigs on the lake, and that they
report to the GCU camp office when they access GCU's dock at the camp site.
CLFN trapline holder
commented that she would like to see a
working group to comment on the Mine
EA with other FN's to be part of the
decision making
Althought out of scope for this EA: GCU has suggested organizing a working group
comprised of Aboriginal and stakeholder representatives to provide direct feedback on
the mine EA, and potential future mine operations; similar organization to forestry
Committees that are organized for Sustainable Forest Licenses (i.e. the Local Citizen's
Committee for the Trout Lake Forest)
CLFN community member
concerns about increased traffic in the
area, if there is a mine, which will have
an impact on the wildlife in the area
comment that sturgeon were previously
present along Springpole Arm and in
Gull Lake
Out of scope for this EA: Under the current proposal, GCU is proposing only a winter
access corridor which would see 3-4 trips per week during the freeze-up period, and no
more than one trip per week outside the freeze-up period. Road usage restrictions
through the use of a monitored gate and low speed limits will minimize the effects to
local wildlife. The road use strategy for an all-weather mine access road would
addressed if/when GCU proposes to upgrade the road to an all-weather road for mine
site development.
Although out of scope for this EA: information was relayed to DST to be incorporated in
their fisheries studies
CLFN community member
SFFN community member
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