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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review
March 30, 2013
2 Springpole Eastern Corridor Conflicts
2.1 Project Timeline
Based on information extracted from various sections of the GCU ESR, Technical Reports
and Stakeholder notes, below is the timeline during which submitted GCU road access
reports and documents for review from 2012 – 2013.
1. Springpole exploration and access corridor project: base case project description
report, july 2012
2. Springpole exploration and access corridor project: draft environmental study
report (esr), october 2012
3. GCU 2011 Baseline Study April 2012
4. GCU 2011 Fisheries Baseline Study July 2012
5. GCU 2011 Meteorology, Air Quality and Noise Baseline Study March 2012
6. GCU 2011 Aquatic Baseline Study March 2012
7. GCU 2011 Terrestrial Baseline Study April 2012
8. GCU Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) March 26, 2013
GCU began presenting information to Stakeholders, First Nation communities and
interested parties during the spring of 2012. GCU presented on the economic benefit the
project would provide for the community, and that there would be limited environmental
impacts. At the time GCU began presenting to Stakeholders, First Nation communities
and interested parties, the Draft ESR, Preliminary Economic Assessment and
Baseline Environmental Technical Reports were not complete.
GCU also failed to engage with First Nation communities prior to initiating desktop and
field study work required for the Baseline Environmental Technical Reports. The Crown
should have first notified and consulted with First Nation communities prior to GCU
conducting any environmental work in the Springpole area. Failure to consult with First
Nation communities infringes on traditional land use, Aboriginal and Treaty rights.
What is evident from the timeline presented is that GCU wanted to expedite approval for
the proposed eastern corridor and in their haste faile to 1) complete the required
environmental and economic assessments prior to preparing an ESR and 2) properly
engage with Stakeholders and First Nation communities potentially impacted by the
project.
2.2 Major Concerns Identified by Stakeholders
After receiving the information from GCU on July 2012, regarding their intention to build
an access road to the Springpole exploration property, concerned tourist outfitters in the
area submitted letters of concern, objecting to the corridor development.
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