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

Gold Canyon Resources Inc: Final Environmental Study Report Review
March 30, 2013
The stations are located close to one another, and there would be a high potential of
overlap and duplication of observations;
No stations were located near to where the intended road is planned;
No stations were located near to other breeding bird survey observation sites
located roughly 36 km away from the primary Springpole campsite;
The study was only conducted once, with limited data points;
No statistics provided to determine accuracy of reporting.
Recommendation: If the OMNR is in the process of establishing a whip-poor-will specific
habitat regulation and recovery strategy, GCU should be required to properly conduct a
whip-poor-will species abundance study and cumulative impacts assessment, gathering
sufficient information to conduct statistical analysis.
5.3.3.3 Technical Report Bird Survey Findings
“an active Bonaparte’s Gull (Larus philadelphia) nesting colony was found at one of the
point count locations (Figure 3.3). The OMNR considers the nesting colonies of all bird
species to be significant wildlife habitat (OMNR 2009), and as such they have a list of
recommended guidelines to follow regarding these features (such as minimum buffer
distances for disturbance and timing restrictions for construction activities) (Draft
Springpole Terrestrial Baseline Report 2011, page 3-4).”
“In addition to those species listed on the NHIC database, the OMNR’s Species at Risk website
indicated a number of species that have the potential to occur within the study area
including:black tern (Chlidonias niger – Special Concern), Canada warbler (Wilsonia
canadensis – Special Concern), Common nighthawk (Chordeiles minor – Special Concern),
Horned grebe(Podiceps auritus – Special Concern), Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus –
Special Concern), Olive sided fly catcher (Contopus cooperi – Special Concern), Short-eared
owl (Asio flammeus – Special Concern), and Yellow rail (Coturnicops noveboracensis – Special
Concern). None of these species were encountered during any field work completed in
2011 (Draft Springpole Terrestrial Baseline Report 2011, page 3-13).”
“The Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas (OBBA) had no records of any point counts being
conducted in the study area (squares 15WS48, 15WS49, 15WS58, and 15WS59) and as
such, there were no associated bird observations (Draft Springpole Terrestrial
Baseline Report 2011, page 3-6).”
“The principle potential adverse effects of the Project on migratory birds would be those
associated with direct habitat loss as a consequence of vegetation removal. The disturbance of
nesting birds during the nesting season (April 1st to August15th) is also a concern. Table 3.2.1
presents the amount song bird breeding habitat that would be affected by each road corridor
option and for the harvested patent land area (Draft ESR, page 3-6).”
“Avian species richness was found to be relatively low within the RSA, which is typical of
northern boreal forest sites (Draft ESR, page 2-4).”
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