Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...
Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ... Revised Final Environmental Study Report (24 MB) - Gold Canyon ...
Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review March 30, 2013 4 Class Environmental Assessment & Unresolved Environmental Issues The rationale for identifying the GCU road project as Class C rather than a Class D undertaking, is not clear, as there are far reaching impacts of this road proposal that have yet to be addressed. As previously discussed, GCU intends to clear 645 km 2 of land for corridor use: A fact that was not clearly identified within the ESR. The environmental impact assessment conducted, was not specific for the road project, and failed to assess any areas close to where the road is proposed. Given that 645 km 2 of land is to be cleared, it is imperative that a full environmental assessment be conducted for the specified project and areas of impact. Table 2: Considerations for Class C vs Class D Environmental Assessment (OMNR Resource Stewardship & Facility Development Projects, page 26). Class C considerations Class D considerations Medium to high potential for significant net negative effects There is some uncertainty associated with predictions of effects, requiring additional research and/or evaluation The appropriate type of management direction is in place for the project, but it does not fully define the project, or the plan suggests that alternatives should be considered or additional evaluation carried out If a project is proposed when the appropriate type of management direction is not in place (see Section 2) Effects require mitigation techniques tailored to the project Potential to reduce negative effects or increase public understanding by examining alternatives Several inter-related aspects that have high potential for either net positive or negative environmental effects that may conflict, suggesting a complex situation Potential for serious negative effects on species at risk Effects require mitigation techniques tailored to the project Potential to reduce negative effects or increase public understanding by examining other alternatives Involves a new or contentious interpretation of management direction or other MNR policy A distinct benefit can be derived from the process requirements of Part II of the EA Act, including Terms of Reference, formal government review and a decision by the Minister of the Environment (or the Environmental Review Tribunal) There are many environmental issues specific for construction, operation and maintenance of a corridor which need to be addressed. In this instance there are a variety of compounding factors, which require a more thorough examination of the socio-economic and environmental implications of this project; The corridor will traverse through and fragment endangered woodland caribou habitat; Increased predation and hunting will occur in the area as a result of the corridor, and increase hunting and predation pressure on moose, woodland caribou, large furbearers, etc; Eastern corridor will destroy 645 km 2 of old growth boreal forest; Impacts to water quality through increased sedimentation Birch River crossing; Impacts to critical fish spawning habitat at Birch River crossing; 13
Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review March 30, 2013 Increased all season access to pristine lakes which will increase fishing and hunting pressures in the area; Loss of remote tourism business for local tourist outfitters; Noise and light disturbance to wildlife; Increased number of wildlife vehicle strikes; Infringement on First Nation Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Due to yet unresolved environmental and socio-economic impacts that the proposed eastern corridor will cause, this project requires an independent environmental assessment under a Class D EA. A part II order is being requested, in order to facilitate the required environmental assessment for the project. Recommendation: That the OMNR issue a PART II ORDER and require GCU to complete a separate Class D Environmental Assessment for the eastern corridor project. 4.1 Good Neighbour Policy The development and implementation of a “Good Neighbour Policy” by GCU was referenced within the ESR (Table 3-2, page 31). No follow-up actions by GCU have been pursued to develop and implement this document, which would help mitigate some concerns raised by stakeholders. If the eastern corridor is to proceed, the “Good Neighbour Policy” needs to be developed in conjunction with stakeholders, and uphold all the principles laid out within. There is currently no indication of when the document will be completed, who will draft it and how it will be upheld. The Good Neighbour Policy requires the following but is not limited to; Be referenced in all future GCU related documentation pertaining to Springpole exploration, including within all permits issued by OMNR; Outline a communications strategy between Stakeholders, GCU and OMNR; Outline compliance measures; Account for socio-economic and environmental issues raised by Stakeholders; Outline compensation and accommodation measures for Stakeholders in the event of economic loss due to GCU related activities; Outline reporting schedule for environmental monitoring studies from GCU to Stakeholders; Have a single document containing all guidelines and activities for environmental monitoring schedules, methodology, analysis, reporting, etc; Outline decommissioning process of the eastern corridor; How to address continued concerns raised by Stakeholders, First Nation communities and interested parties. 14
- Page 280 and 281: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 282 and 283: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 284 and 285: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 286 and 287: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 288 and 289: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 290 and 291: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 292 and 293: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 294 and 295: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 296 and 297: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 298 and 299: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 300 and 301: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 302 and 303: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 304 and 305: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 306 and 307: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 308 and 309: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 310 and 311: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 312 and 313: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 314 and 315: GOLD CANYON RESOURCES INC. GCU: TSX
- Page 316: Page 3 GCU’s mitigation measures
- Page 319 and 320: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 321 and 322: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 323 and 324: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 325 and 326: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 327 and 328: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 329: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 333 and 334: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 335 and 336: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 337 and 338: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 339 and 340: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 341 and 342: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 343 and 344: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 345 and 346: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 347 and 348: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 349 and 350: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 351 and 352: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 353 and 354: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 355 and 356: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 357 and 358: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 359 and 360: Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final En
- Page 361 and 362: GCU has hired qualified, independen
- Page 363 and 364: The basic environmental protection
- Page 365 and 366: 8. Like the Draft ESR, Notices were
- Page 367 and 368: A full record of consultation is pr
- Page 369 and 370: Page 7 1. Corridor alternatives pre
- Page 371 and 372: 13. “Stakeholders” refers solel
- Page 373 and 374: Page 10 1. Detailed comments on the
- Page 375 and 376: Page 13 1. GCU is proposing to clea
- Page 377 and 378: Page 15 1. GCU is open to developin
- Page 379 and 380: Page 17 1. The economic information
<strong>Gold</strong> <strong>Canyon</strong> Resources Inc: <strong>Final</strong> <strong>Environmental</strong> <strong>Study</strong> <strong>Report</strong> Review<br />
March 30, 2013<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Increased all season access to pristine lakes which will increase fishing and hunting<br />
pressures in the area;<br />
Loss of remote tourism business for local tourist outfitters;<br />
Noise and light disturbance to wildlife;<br />
Increased number of wildlife vehicle strikes;<br />
Infringement on First Nation Aboriginal and Treaty rights.<br />
Due to yet unresolved environmental and socio-economic impacts that the proposed<br />
eastern corridor will cause, this project requires an independent environmental<br />
assessment under a Class D EA.<br />
A part II order is being requested, in order to facilitate the required environmental<br />
assessment for the project.<br />
Recommendation: That the OMNR issue a PART II ORDER and require GCU to complete a<br />
separate Class D <strong>Environmental</strong> Assessment for the eastern corridor project.<br />
4.1 Good Neighbour Policy<br />
The development and implementation of a “Good Neighbour Policy” by GCU was referenced<br />
within the ESR (Table 3-2, page 31). No follow-up actions by GCU have been pursued to<br />
develop and implement this document, which would help mitigate some concerns raised by<br />
stakeholders.<br />
If the eastern corridor is to proceed, the “Good Neighbour Policy” needs to be developed in<br />
conjunction with stakeholders, and uphold all the principles laid out within. There is<br />
currently no indication of when the document will be completed, who will draft it and how<br />
it will be upheld.<br />
The Good Neighbour Policy requires the following but is not limited to;<br />
Be referenced in all future GCU related documentation pertaining to Springpole<br />
exploration, including within all permits issued by OMNR;<br />
Outline a communications strategy between Stakeholders, GCU and OMNR;<br />
Outline compliance measures;<br />
Account for socio-economic and environmental issues raised by Stakeholders;<br />
Outline compensation and accommodation measures for Stakeholders in the event of<br />
economic loss due to GCU related activities;<br />
Outline reporting schedule for environmental monitoring studies from GCU to<br />
Stakeholders;<br />
Have a single document containing all guidelines and activities for environmental<br />
monitoring schedules, methodology, analysis, reporting, etc;<br />
Outline decommissioning process of the eastern corridor;<br />
How to address continued concerns raised by Stakeholders, First Nation<br />
communities and interested parties.<br />
14