January 28, 2026 - Indigenous Services Canada has determined that the proposed Serpent River First Nation - Cutler Acid Remediation Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

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

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are: 

• Air Quality: Implementation of an Air Pollution Control Plan (APCP), appropriate covers will be used on trucks hailing fine, dusty, or loose materials, and vehicles will not idle on-site; 
• Spills on-site: Equipment will be checked regularly, refueling of equipment and fuel storage will be conducted in designated areas with spill protection, spill kits to be on site, and the MECP SAC will be contacted if there is a spill. A Contaminant Prevention Plan (CPP) will be created to identify the proper procedures to prevent hazardous substances from entering the project site; 
• Noise: Equipment will be used during daylight hours only. Noise control devices (i.e., mufflers, silencers) will be used on construction equipment and properly managed. Traffic plans will be made for parking for workers, materials delivery, and storage. 
• Archaeological potential: If any relevant artifacts or human remains are uncovered, works will stop in those areas while an investigation occurs with first nation council and elders, ISC, and local police authority; 
• Erosion and Sediment Control: ESC measures such as installing silt fences and straw bale check dams will be installed. Turbidity curtains will be installed prior to near-water work, and if dewatering is needed, temporary drainage and pumping will be installed; 
• Health and Safety: Construction warning signs, blockades, fences will be placed and personnel will have appropriate PPE and decontamination procedures as stated by the Health and Safety Plan. 
• SAR species protection:
  • Birds: Tree clearing activities will be conducted outside of the bird migratory, breeding, nesting and brood rearing period. If any vegetation removal is required, it should occur from October to March. All work will halt if any migratory birds, nests, or young are located or discovered, and a bird specialist or ECCC will be contacted. 
  • Bats: All tree clearing activities will be completed outside of the bat activity windows (April 1 to November 30). 
  • Terrestrial SAR: Exclusionary fencing will be implemented by April 1st and remain in place until construction activities are complete. 
  • Fish/ Aquatic SAR: Construction will follow all applicable DFO's guidelines, work will be within the in-water timing window (July 16 to August 31), in-stream works will be conducted during periods of low flow and avoid wet and rainy periods. 

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.