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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review
March 30, 2013
It should be noted, that in cases where there is little to no baseline data, that does not
indicate that species in that area do not exist, it just means that the data has not been
gathered yet.
Given the identified deficiencies with the bird survey methodologies, the findings of
the Terrestrial Baseline Report 2011 for birds are inconclusive, and cannot be used
to arrive at the assumption that the project will not impact birds.
Recommendation: GCU in conjunction with First Nation communities and the OMNR
needs to undertake a thorough environmental assessment of birds within the regional
project study area, utilizing areas relevant to the eastern corridor. Special attention should
be paid to collecting consistent field data, given that current databases for the area do not
have the required information.
5.3.4 Vegetative Survey Deficiencies
GCU plans to harvest 645 km2 of old growth boreal forest (>120 years) that crosses
through wintering woodland caribou habitat at two separate locations. Old growth forests
are critical for maintaining ecological diversity and integrity, however they are becoming
scarce due to poorly managed natural resource harvesting activities; forestry and mining.
The intent of the vegetative study was to identify eco-regions/sites, near the primary
Springpole campsite. Background research and desktop analysis for the study involved
searching the Forest Resource Inventory (FRI) managed by the OMNR (the FRI is only
current up to 2000) and comparing that data to the OMNRs ecosites concepts (Ecosites of
Ontario, 2009)
The study failed to investigate which vascular plants and mosses may be present in the
area, and did not reference which species may be endangered, threatened, special concern
or extirpated: list available through Ontario Species at Risk database and OMNR (2004).
The particular region the GCU seeks to develop is old growth boreal forest, and many of the
vascular plants and mosses identified for protection may be present and thriving within
this region. Below is a complete list of Ontario species at risk vascular plants that may be
present in the area:
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