Notice of determination

October 5, 2023 – Indigenous Services Canada has determined that the proposed Lac La Croix First Nation Former School Area Remediation project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

 

The determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• Community knowledge; and
• Mitigation measures.

 

Implementation of mitigation measures is required for the project to address:

• Air and Noise – To best mitigate air and noise impacts from the project, all machinery and equipment should be turned off when not in use to limit the amount of emissions released into the air. Construction contractor to apply best practices for dust suppression during construction works to mitigate dust in air. Notices should be posted to sensitive receptors surrounding the project site (i.e. Lac La Croix School) to made aware of potentially loud noises occurring during the construction time. 

 

• Human Health – Contractor to develop a site-specific health and safety plan to assess any potential risks of the site.  On-site personnel are required to review site-specific health and safety plan and wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for this type of work. Ensure construction workers and personnel are knowledgeable on equipment fuelling, spill prevention and response, material handling, and waste material handling prior to mobilization to site. Equipment and machinery in contact with contamination should be decontaminated at a designated decontamination area before coming into contact with clean materials. Work site should be maintained free of debris and waste at end of each workday.  Any public roads or access areas used by contractor equipment or machinery should be cleaned of any waste debris left during transport to waste receiving site (the community landfill).

 

• Land and Resource Use and Recreation – Contractor to complete a thorough walkthrough of the clearing areas to identify any potential bird nests or wildlife habitats. Tree clearing should occur outside of the breeding bird window (Early April – Late August). Identification of any species of risk within the Site area should be notified to the Project Team immediately to address best mitigation approach.

 

• Land and Surface Water Impacts – Contractor to provide erosion and sedimentation control plan to be applied during construction (i.e. silt screen/fencing) to mitigate any effects of erosion and sedimentation during construction.  Weather conditions should be monitored to prepare for wet or unsafe weather conditions and maintain excavations free of water. Site should be graded to promote drainage away from excavation area and not allow for surface water ponding or pooling at the Site.  Waste materials and debris to be disposed of properly at the designated waste location.  Contaminated soils will be stockpiled for further testing to confirm suitable usage for daily cover at the landfill.  Contaminated soils will be stockpiled at the landfill for testing to avoid double handling. The abandoned AST at Site 1b will be properly decommissioned, removed, and disposed of per applicable Federal and Provincial regulations. The AST ULC tag will be obtained.  Contractor to monitor and repair leaks of polluting liquids on vehicles, prevent leaks of antifreeze, brake fluid, diesel fuel, gasoline, oil, transmission fluid, and other liquids that may be harmful to the environment or storm drainage systems.

 

Indigenous Services Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Indigenous Services Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.