Notice of Determination  

November 5, 2024 – Indigenous Services Canada has determined that the proposed Sheshegwaning Samson Edowishkosh Elementary School Construction Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

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

• Mitigation measures to address potential impacts resulting from construction activities.  

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

• The potential to interfere with common bat species utilizing the woodland for roosting purposes will be mitigated by: 
  • Vegetation removal is to occur outside the April 1st to October 31st window for bats.
  • A series of bat houses are to be constructed and installed around the property in the post construction period to offset roosting tree loss.
• There is potential for Species At Risk turtles to occur in the area during construction as they can detect disturbed unconsolidated materials from a distance and seek out these materials for nesting purposes. This will be mitigated by:
  • The heavy-duty silt fence acts as a barrier to turtles
  • It is anticipated that there will be filling and grading on-site, the silt fence should be installed around any disturbed areas or fill material piles to prevent turtles from nesting within the construction site. The fence should be inspected on a regular basis by the administration staff and/or a dedicated person within the construction crew prior to commencing operations each day.
  • If a Species At Risk turtle is suspected to occur within the vicinity of the fence, operations should halt in this area (within 30 m) until the turtle either leaves on its own or is relocated by a qualified person (only in the event the turtle is either snared on the fence or flips itself over).
• A pre-screen for Species at Risk was completed to ascertain which rare species could occur in the area based on database information. A list of candidate species was derived from the pre-screen and applied to the surveys completed on the lands where the proposed school is to be constructed. Both diurnal and nocturnal surveys were completed to detect potential SAR, none were identified during the peak period to detect SAR.

Indigenous Services Canada is satisfied 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.