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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Springpole Gold Access Corridor Project
Final Environmental Study Report
2.2.3 Selection of Preferred Alternative
For the purpose of the effects analysis in Section 2.2, it is assumed that the applicable mitigation
measures described in the AOC prescriptions of the FMP, as well as the MNR and DFO guidance
documents referenced herein, are applied.
Based on the comparative analysis presented in Section 2.2 that is in general accordance with
Section 3 of MNR (2003), the eastern access corridor has been selected as the preferred alternative
because it has fewer negative effects, more positive effects and an equivalent number of unknowns.
The results of the comparative analysis are summarized in Table 2-3 below.
Table 2-3: Summary of Effects Analysis for Proposed Corridors
Net Effect
Alternative
Negative (1) Positive (1)
Corridor
High Medium Low Nil Unk Low Medium High
Western 1 4 15 19 0 0 2 0
Eastern 1 0 15 20 0 2 3 0
(1) Refer to MNR (2003) for definition of positive and negative effects.
Furthermore, the eastern corridor has been selected alternative for the reasons listed in the bullets
below.
Approximately 50% of the eastern corridor is already approved in the 2014-2019 FMP and is
within the 2011 wildfire area.
Reduced risk of impacts to archaeological values and biological values.
Fewer water crossings associated with the portion of road beyond the FMP Approved Road
(7 water crossings beyond the end of the 2014-2019 FMP Approved Road) compared with
the western corridor (11 crossings for western corridor).
Potential synergies with future development plans for the region (i.e. future forestry roads
that are contemplated in the Forest Management Plan). It is recognized that this is a
potential synergy only and that any road building would require an additional environmental
assessment and approvals process.
Potential synergies with an all-weather access road to Cat Lake First Nation (evaluation in
progress by Cat Lake First Nation).
Reduced potential for cumulative effects in the region compared with western corridor option
because the western corridor option would duplicate FMP roads to the east and would
increase habitat fragmentation on a regional scale.
If the Springpole Gold Project is economic and a positive production decision is made, the
surface footprint would necessarily be proposed east of Springpole Lake and along the
eastern corridor because there is insufficient space available north, west or south of
Springpole Lake. If the Springpole Gold Project progresses beyond the current definition and
exploration stage, the eastern corridor would be a preferred alternative from an overall
development footprint minimization perspective (i.e. the eastern corridor would bisect the
development footprint of the mine site rather than be a development footprint that is in
addition to the mine site).
Fewer negative impacts to caribou calving habitat and wintering areas. Both corridors would
be located near calving lakes, but the eastern corridor would be located further away from
sensitive habitat. The western corridor would bisect a wintering area near Okanse Lake if
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