Notice of intent to make a determination

Bearskin Lake – Flood Emergency, Road Repair Assessment and Design – Moose River and Riverside Creek – Public Comments Invited

January 7, 2021 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Bearskin Lake – Flood Emergency, Road Repair Assessment and Design – Moose River and Riverside Creek, located in Bearskin Lake First Nation is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

 

Written comments must be submitted by February 7, 2021 to:

Julieta Werner

100 Anemki Place, Suite 101

Fort William First Nation

Ontario P7J 1A5

Julieta.werner@canada.ca

The Proposed Project

In November 2019, Bearskin Lake First Nation (BLFN) experienced a rare flood emergency in the community. Ice jamming at White Sands Rapids to the east of the community caused Michikan Lake levels to rise significantly resulting in damage to roads within the community. The damage restricted movements within the community and resulted in a state of emergency requiring evacuations that lasted approximately three weeks. The structural integrity of the roads and crossings were significantly impacted. Multiple areas were affected. Two (2) of the affected areas are described within this Project, as follows:

1) Moose River Crossing – During the flood event one culvert washed out and a substantial amount of material eroded from the road bed. The culvert was replaced and temporary repairs were made which enabled the crossing to accommodate a single lane of traffic. The affected area is approximately 225 m long. Required work at this location includes raising the road surface elevation to 226.5 m by placement of local gravel fill followed by appropriate granular material (granular A, granular M) for road topping. Additionally, a geotextile and rip rap protection will be placed around the two existing culverts to protect against future erosion.

2) Riverside Creek Crossing – During the flood event the road was overtopped at this creek crossing. As an emergency measure a 230 m segment of the roadway was temporarily built up to accommodate traffic. Required work at this location includes permanent raising the road surface elevation to 226.5 m by placement of local gravel fill followed by appropriate granular material (granular A, granular M) for road topping.  Additionally, the two existing culverts (500 mm and 750 mm diameter) will be removed and replaced with two new 1,000 mm diameter CSP culverts. A synthetic liner and rip rap protection will be placed around the new culverts to protect against future erosion.

While the proposed work can be completed in accordance with the Fisheries Act and therefore it is unlikely that Authorization will be required by DFO, a Request for Review will be submitted as work will occur near or below the ordinary high water mark.

 

Document Reference Number: 2

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