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

Page 22
1. The statement that caribou data was based solely on literature reviews and modeling without
on-site observations is incorrect. Two aerials surveys were conducted, caribou calving surveys
were completed, trail cameras were deployed throughout the study area, and all caribou
observations were recorded. The combination of literature review and the collection of field
data cannot be considered "armchair effort" as suggested by the TFTO. These efforts required
hundreds of hours of field time. This data is presented in the ESR in Appendix 4, Biological
Constraints Report pg. 62-83 and in Appendix 5.
2. The statement that "the granting of a harvesting permit, prematurely, will only serve to push
this animal into the extinct category" is inflammatory. Access corridors can be detrimental to
caribou populations through the facilitation of predation. However, roads are frequently built in
caribou habitat for forest management purposes, and with sufficient planning and mitigation,
the two can coexist.
3. The caribou cumulative effects assessment screening report cannot be made available to the
public due to the fact that it contains sensitive information such as the locations of caribou and
caribou calving areas. All of the relevant data from this report was included in the ESR, Appendix
4, Biological Constraints Report.
Gold Canyon Resources Inc.
Response to TFTO Submission for Springpole Access Corridor Final ESR
April 2013 Schedule 2/- 24-