Hardrock Project GRT Terrestrial Working Group Environmental Baseline

Transcription

1 Hardrock Project GRT Terrestrial Working Group Environmental Baseline February 24, 2015

2 : Presentation Overview Introductions Project Overview Terrestrial Objectives / methods Results / key takeaways Discussion Next Steps 2

3 : Project Overview Open pit gold mine (brownfield site) Two years of construction Fifteen year mine life Five years of active closure and reclamation Estimated 340 combined direct employment opportunities The Project will contribute an estimated $2 billion to the local economy through operating costs during the life of mine 3

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5 : Terrestrial 5

6 : Terrestrial Objectives/Methods Determine Study Area boundaries 2013 PDA not confirmed, only general area LSA identified to characterize terrestrial conditions in area 2014 PDA defined LSA remained the same to capture 2013 field data Characterize environmental features and functions in the Project Development Area (PDA) and Local Study Area (LSA) Review of background data MNR, NHIC, LIO and various wildlife atlases Field investigations for vegetation and wildlife in 2013 &

7 : Terrestrial Methods Vegetation Vegetation and Ecosite Mapping Ecosite Mapping FRI data Ground-truthing 3-season Botanical Inventory Wetland Identification and confirmation mapping 7

8 : Breeding Amphibians Terrestrial Methods Wildlife Targeted 3 survey windows: May, June, July Breeding Birds Targeted from June to July Crepuscular & Nocturnal Birds Specifically targeting Eastern Whip-poor-will during full moon cycle Waterfowl Nesting & migration Bat Maternity Roosts Survey plots in deciduous and mixed forests General Wildlife Surveys & Habitat Assessments Large mammals, furbearers and reptiles 8

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12 : Terrestrial Results Summary of Terrestrial Features in the Hardrock Project LSA and PDA Terrestrial Resource Present in LSA Present in PDA Protected Areas Yes No Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest No No Habitat for Provincial and Federal Species at Risk Bald Eagle (SC) Yes No Bank Swallow (THR) No No Barn Swallow (THR) Yes Yes Canada Warbler (SC/THR) Yes Yes Common Nighthawk (SC/THR) Yes Yes Eastern Wood-pewee (SC) Yes Yes Olive-sided Flycatcher (SC/THR) Yes Yes Little Brown Myotis (END) Yes Yes Northern Myotis (END) Yes Yes Wetlands Provincially significant wetlands (PSW) No No Non-PSW and unevaluated wetlands Yes Yes Provincially Significant Wildlife Habitat seasonal concentration areas - Moose late winter cover Yes Yes - Waterfowl stopover and staging areas (aquatic) Yes Yes - Turtle wintering areas Yes No - Snake hibernaculum Yes Unknown rare vegetation communities or specialized habitats - Fen (sparse treed fen B136) Yes Yes - Waterfowl nesting areas Yes Yes - Woodland raptor nesting habitat Yes Unknown - Seeps and springs Yes Yes - Moose Aquatic Feeding Area (MAFA) Yes No habitats of species of conservation concern - Taiga alpine (S3) Yes Yes animal movement corridors No No 12

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15 : Field Investigation - Results A total of 46 ecosite community types identified in the LSA comprised of: 245 species of plants (of which 223 were native species and 22 were exotics) Five species of frogs and toads One salamander species One turtle species One snake species 129 bird species (117 of which are assumed to be breeding in the LSA) 15 species of migrating waterfowl 16 mammal species (including three species of bats) 15

16 : Terrestrial Investigations - Results Terrestrial features and associated functions identified within the PDA and LSA: Protected Areas: Macleod Provincial Park Wetlands, represented by non-psw and previously unevaluated or unidentified wetlands Habitats of Species of Conservation Concern for: Taiga Alpine (ecosite B136) 16

17 : Terrestrial Investigations - Results Habitat and Species Presence for Provincial and Federal SAR: Barn Swallow nesting habitat under bridges and other human structures and buildings Canada Warbler breeding habitat in ecosites: B051, B128 and B198 Common Nighthawk breeding habitat in ecosite: B128 Eastern Wood-pewee breeding habitat in ecosite: B049 Olive-sided Flycatcher breeding habitat in ecosite: B114 Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis habitat in deciduous and mixed forests with stand size >25 cm dbh and tree height >10 m. 17

18 : Terrestrial Investigations - Results Habitats for Seasonal Concentrations of Animals Moose late winter cover (ecosites B049, B050, B051, B052, B053, B065, B066, B068, B098, B099, B101, B114, B115 and B117) Waterfowl Stopover and Staging areas (aquatic habitat only) in the combined area of Kenogamisis Lake, and 100 m radius including wetland/shoreline ecosites Turtle wintering areas in Kenogamisis Lake Snake hibernacula assumed to occur throughout the LSA 18

19 : Terrestrial Investigations - Results Rare Vegetation Communities & Specialized Habitats Sparse Treed Fen (ecosite B136) Unique community Taiga Alpine Waterfowl Nesting Areas ecosites B129, B130, B135, B140, B142, B144, B145, and B146 Woodland Raptor Nesting Habitat assumed to occur throughout the LSA Seeps and Springs 19

20 : Next Steps Information gathered during 2013 and 2014 are representative of general area. PDA and LSA terrestrial conditions typical of Boreal Forest Region. Data will be used to inform EA. Land and Resource Use Information request from MNRF 20

21 : Thank you Your comments and questions about the Hardrock Project are important to us. Contacts: Steve Lines, Permitting Lead (514) Fiona Christiansen, Technical Lead (519)