Development of 20 Residential Housing Lots on Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation

End of Public Comment Period and Notice of Determination

2023-09-21 – The public comment period on the project is closed. Indigenous Services Canada issued its Notice of Determination and determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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

• Lot development provides new housing for the community to accommodate the growing population;
• Best Management Practices related to lot servicing and development will be implemented.

Implementation of mitigation measures are required for the project to lesson or avoid potential adverse effects to:

• Vegetation: i) Loss of vegetation/habitat loss (forest habitat); ii) potential colonization of non-native and/or invasive species; iii) encountering protected Species at Risk or their habitat as defined in the Species at Risk Act.
• Migratory and other birds: i) Potential disturbance or harm to nests and eggs.
• Terrestrial wildlife: i) Potential disturbance or harm to terrestrial wildlife, blocking of movement corridor and basking site; iii) temporary loss of habitat for terrestrial wildlife; iv) encountering protected Species at Risk or their habitat as defined in the Species at Risk Act (SARA);
• Air quality: i) Fugitive dust from construction activities; and ii) emissions from construction vehicles;
• Noise: i) Temporary noise impacts from the use of heavy equipment and construction activities;
• Human health and safety: i) Potential safety hazard from heavy equipment, increased traffic, and construction site dangers; ii) Potential safety hazard from operating equipment; iii) potential human health impacts from improperly designed, installed, operated or maintained water and wastewater services. 

Mitigation measures and best management practices for these potential adverse effects are as follows:

• Vegetation: i) Disturbance to existing vegetation should be minimized. Upon project completion, the disturbed areas should be re-planted with native species. Topsoil should be stockpiled separately and used for restoration of disturbed areas; ii) Construction equipment will be cleaned prior to bringing it to the site to avoid introducing exotic species from other sites; iii) Should any of the protected Species at Risk plant species is encountered during construction, a stop-work order will be immediately issued. Work is not to proceed until an investigation is completed by a qualified biologist in collaboration with the appropriate regulatory agencies.  
• Migratory and other birds: i) Work will be carried out in a manner that projects migratory birds and avoids harming, killing, or disturbing migratory birds or destroying, disturbing, or taking their nests or eggs, following Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) guidelines to avoid harm to migratory birds. If vegetation removal required for the project will be completed outside of the migratory bird nesting season fro the community. If vegetation must be cleared during this period, a qualified ecologist will survey the site prior to clearing. If any active nests are found, work shall cease and ECCC will be contacted.
• Terrestrial wildlife: i) Should a SARA designated "Threatened" or "Endangered" species enter the construction zone, all construction activities must be halted immediately until the individual has left the area by its own accord and ECCC should be contacted to determine if a SARA permit is required. "Special Concern" or other wildlife species can be removed by the Environmental Inspector to the outiside of the project area.
• Air quality: i) Vehicle and equipment will be inspected to ensure they are in good repair; ii) on-site vehicle and equipment idling will be discouraged and where practical, limited; iii) dust generation from construction activities is to be controlled using water sprayers, where applicable; iv) stockpiles and exposed soils/surfaces will be covered with erosion control blankets, tarpaulins, soil binders or other appropriate means, where practical. Contractor to inspect and repair ESC control and stabilization controls regularly, and ensure they are effective in minimizing dust into the air; v) long-term stockpiles that are not actively being used will be seeded (with natural seed mix) or tracked, and soil surfaces are to be restored and re-vegetated as soon as possible; vi) vehicle hauling soil, aggregates or fine or dusty material will be covered to minimize the generation of dust; vii) construction will be avoided during times of excessive wind (>30km/hr) and dry conditions to minimize the release of airborne particles. viii) transportation and delivery of construction materials will be scheduled to minimize the amount of bulk construction materials stored on-site at a given time; ix) speed limits within the site are to be 20 km/h in the project area to control dust generation.
• Noise: i) Construction (including the operation and the use of machinery) will not take place outside of regular working hours to minimize disturbance; ii) all vehicles will be properly tuned up and include noise muffling devices; iii) equipment will be properly maintained or replaced so the Sound Emission Limits for construction equipment, as listed in the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks Publication NPC-208 will be respected.
• Human health and safety: i) Health and Safety Plan will be prepared to protect construction worker's health and safety. Health and safety shall comply with applicable Health and Safety Regulations and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) standards; ii) the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of on-site water and wastewater systems should be in accordance with the standards and codes outlined in Indigenous Services Canada’s Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities (2010). 

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.