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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review
March 30, 2013
report findings related to water quality, hydrology, aquatic habitat, terrestrial values and
socio-economic factors.
5.6 Habitat Fragmentation
The ESR is comparing the GCU road to natural erosion processes such as fires, implying
that an industrial corridor used for heavy trucks allows for the development of
biodiversity. The ESR concludes that timber harvesting results in biological diversity and
ecological function (ESR page 54).
Given that the data derived from terrestrial baseline studies and desktop analysis for flora
and fauna were flawed and incomplete, it stands to reason that no firm conclusions
regarding habitat fragmentation can be drawn in the ESR.
For example: Information used to assess woodland caribou habitat is based off of an
incomplete OMNR study from 2000 and other references that are between 15 and 29 years
old. ESR discussion of woodland caribou habitat fragmentation is limited and identified as
not significant.
Recommendation: GCU needs to complete a thorough terrestrial baseline study that
specifically addresses all contributing factors to habitat fragmentation for all species, not
just woodland caribou. The study should evaluate habitat fragmentation resulting over 10-
20 years, as a result of anticipated Springpole exploration related activities; eastern
corridor develop and exploration.
5.7 Environmental Protection and Mitigation Plans
GCU states that mitigation measures are planned and will proceed with future consultation
with affected stakeholders. To date there is no information available on what guidelines
are in place to ensure that consultation with stakeholders will take place, and who will
mediate any dispute. In general, most environmental issues are regarded as resolved by
GCU, despite evidence showing that the technical studies used to arrive at those
conclusions are deficient.
Table 6-1: Mitigation Measures for Potentially Significant Negative Effects/Concerns,
proposing a variety of mitigation measures. In order for the mitigation measures to be
effective the following needs to occur;
Guidelines for the proposed mitigation measures needs to be developed;
A communications strategy between Stakeholders, First Nations and GCU needs to be
developed, whereby all parties are routinely kept informed of all mitigation, monitoring
and follow-up activities and corresponding reports;
Monitoring and follow-up procedures need to be developed and corroborate with the
communication strategy and mitigation measure guidelines;
The environmental mitigation measures proposed in general simply state that monitoring
will take place, but no reference is made to follow up activities and communicating findings
of those monitoring and follow-up programs to Stakeholders, First Nation communities and
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