1.0 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ...... 1-1 1.1 The Proponent – Manitoba Infrastructure ...... 1-1 1.1.1 Contact Information ...... 1-1 1.1.2 Legal Entity ...... 1-1 1.1.3 Corporate And Management Structures ...... 1-1 1.1.4 Corporate Policy Implementation ...... 1-2 1.1.5 Document Preparation ...... 1-2 1.2 Project Overview ...... 1-3 1.2.1 Project Components ...... 1-11 1.2.2 Project Phases And Scheduling ...... 1-11 1.2.3 The East Side Transportation Initiative ...... 1-14 1.3 Project Location ...... 1-16 1.3.1 Coordinates ...... 1-16 1.3.2 Current Land Use ...... 1-17 1.3.3 Proximity To Federal Lands ...... 1-20 1.3.4 Environmental Significance Of The Area ...... 1-20 1.3.5 Proximity To Environmentally Sensitive Areas ...... 1-21 1.3.6 Description Of Local Communities ...... 1-22 1.3.7 Proximity To Indigenous Territories, Treaty Lands And Reserves ...... 1-22 1.4 Regulatory Framework And The Role Of Government ...... 1-23 1.4.1 Federal Regulatory Requirements ...... 1-23 1.4.2 Provincial Regulatory Requirements ...... 1-24 1.4.3 Indigenous Governance ...... 1-26 1.4.4 Land Use And Community Plans And Zoning ...... 1-27 1.5 Environmental Assessment Overview ...... 1-28 1.6 Report Organization ...... 1-29

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1: Proposed Project All-Season Road Alignment ...... 1-4 Figure 1-2: East Terminus Of The Proposed Project Alignment Near Manto Sipi Cree Nation ...... 1-5

Figure 1-3: Northwest Terminus Of The Proposed Project Alignment Near Bunibonibee Cree Nation ...... 1-6

Page i PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Figure 1-4: South Terminus Of The Proposed Project Alignment Near God’s Lake First Nation ...... 1-7 Figure 1-5: Intersection Of The Proposed Project Alignment Between Manto Sipi Cree Nation, ...... Bunibonibee Cree Nation And God’s Lake First Nation ...... 1-8 Figure 1-6: Alignment Options For Proposed All-Season Road Segment Near Manto Sipi Cree Nation ...... 1-9 Figure 1-7: Proposed Major Water Crossings (Bridges) Along The Project Alignment ...... 1-10 Figure 1-8: Local Assessment Areas For The Proposed Project Showing Registered Traplines ...... 1-12 Figure 1-9: Regional Assessment Areas For The Proposed Project ...... 1-13 Figure 1-10: Regional Transportation Network Of Planned All-Season Roads On The East Side of Lake Winnipeg In The Large Area Transportation Network Study...... 1-15 Figure 1-11: Ecodistricts And Areas Of Special Interest In The Vicinity Of The Proposed Project ..... 1-18 Figure 1-12: Land Cover In The Vicinity Of The Proposed Project ...... 1-19 Figure 1-13: Summary Of Environmental Assessment Approach ...... 1-29

CHAPTER 2

2.0 PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ...... 2-1 2.1 Purpose of the Project ...... 2-1 2.1.1 Background ...... 2-1 2.1.2 Project Need ...... 2-3 2.1.3 Project Objectives ...... 2-3 2.2 Alternative Means of Carrying Out the Project ...... 2-4 2.2.1 Alternative Transportation Options ...... 2-4 2.2.2 Road Route Alignment ...... 2-6 2.2.3 Watercourse Crossings ...... 2-11 2.2.4 Access Roads ...... 2-12 2.2.5 Borrow Areas, Quarries and Pits ...... 2-12 2.2.6 Construction Camps and Staging Areas ...... 2-13

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2.1: Alternative Surface and Air Transportation Modes ...... 2-5 Table 2.2: Chronology of Alignment Revisions to the Proposed Project All-Season Road Route Options (Refer to Figure 2-1) ...... 2-10

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2-1: History of the proposed Project all-season road alignment alternatives ...... 2-7 Figure 2-2: Alignment options for proposed all-season road segment near Manto Sipi Cree Nation ...... 2-9

CHAPTER 3

Page ii PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 3-1 3.1 Scope of the Project ...... 3-1 3.2 Project Phases ...... 3-1 3.2.1 Planning ...... 3-1 3.2.2 Design ...... 3-3 3.2.3 Construction ...... 3-3 3.2.4 Operation and Maintenance...... 3-4 3.2.5 Decommissioning ...... 3-4 3.3 Project Components ...... 3-4 3.3.1 All-Season Road ...... 3-5 3.3.2 Watercourse Crossings ...... 3-6 3.3.3 Temporary Access ...... 3-14 3.3.4 Temporary Construction Laydown Areas ...... 3-14 3.3.5 Quarries and Borrow Areas ...... 3-15 3.3.6 Water Management Infrastructure ...... 3-17 3.3.7 Temporary Construction Camps ...... 3-17 3.3.8 Waste Disposal ...... 3-18 3.3.9 Facilities for the Storage of Explosives ...... 3-19 3.4 Project Activities ...... 3-20 3.4.1 Site Preparation and Construction ...... 3-21 3.4.2 Operation ...... 3-30 3.5 Project Schedule ...... 3-34 3.6 Project Funding ...... 3-35

LIST OF TABLES

Table 3.1: Geometric Design Criteria for the Proposed Project ...... 3-6 Table 3.2: List of Watercourse Crossings and Proposed Crossing Structure ...... 3-8 Table 3.3: Expected Fuels and Hazardous Materials List ...... 3-19 Table 3.4: Project Activities Expected During Construction and Operation and Maintenance Project Phases ...... 3-20 Table 3.5: Expected Construction Materials List ...... 3-25 Table 3.6: Estimated Quantities of Raw Materials Required for Project Construction ...... 3-26 Table 3.7: Expected Construction Equipment and Vehicles Used for Project Components ...... 3-27 Table 3.8: Planned Project Schedule ...... 3-34

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 3-1: Proposed Project all-season road alignment on the east side of Lake Winnipeg ...... 3-2 Figure 3-2: Proposed Project all-season road watercourse crossings ...... 3-7 Figure 3-3: Example of Culvert Installation Method for Boreal Fen and Bog Areas (after Louisiana Pacific et al. 2014) ...... 3-13 Figure 3-4: Potential Construction Quarry Sites ...... 3-16

Page iii PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS1

Photograph 3-1: Typical Multi-Span Bridge With Piers – Longbody Creek (Project P1) ...... 3-10 Photograph 3-2: Typical Clear-Span Bridge – Loon Creek (Project P1) ...... 3-11 Photograph 3-3: Typical Multi-Culvert Stream Crossing ...... 3-12 Photograph 3-4: Typical Single-Culvert Stream Crossing ...... 3-12 Photograph 3-5: Typical All-Season Road 60 Metre-Wide Right-of-Way Clearing for Construction ...... 3-22 Photograph 3-6: Typical Road Construction along an All-Season Road Right-of-Way ...... 3-24

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 3-1: Manitoba Infrastructure Geometric Design Criteria and Typical Cross Section Drawings Appendix 3-2: Representative Watercourse Crossing Design Drawings Appendix 3-3: Examples of Erosion and Sedimentation Control Methods Appendix 3-4: Culvert Installation at Environmentally Sensitive Watercourse Crossings Appendix 3-5: Manitoba Infrastructure Native Revegetation Program Appendix 3-6: Manitoba Infrastructure Nuisance Beaver Management Program Appendix 3-7: Topographic Maps of Route Alignment

CHAPTER 4

4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT APPROACH ...... 4-1 4.1 Introduction ...... 4-1 4.2 Overview of Approach ...... 4-1 4.3 Scope of the Environmental Assessment ...... 4-6 4.3.1 Project Description ...... 4-6 4.3.2 Factors to be Considered ...... 4-6 4.3.3 Spatial and Temporal Boundaries ...... 4-6 4.4 Sources of Information ...... 4-11 4.4.1 Other Environmental Assessments and Reviews ...... 4-13 4.4.2 Project 6 Baseline Studies ...... 4-13 4.4.3 Community Knowledge, Traditional Knowledge, Land Use and Heritage Resource Studies ...... 4-14 4.4.4 Indigenous and Public Engagement Program ...... 4-14 4.4.5 Other Information Sources ...... 4-15 4.5 Assessment Approach ...... 4-15 4.5.1 Selection of Valued Components ...... 4-15 4.5.2 Project Setting and Baseline Conditions ...... 4-17

1 Unless otherwise indicated, photos showing construction–related activities and components such as constructed road, bridges and culverts are from the Project 1 area (P1 All-Season Road recently constructed between PR 304 and Berens River First Nation).

Page iv PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

4.5.3 Identification of Potential Effects ...... 4-18 4.5.4 Mitigation of Adverse Effects ...... 4-19 4.5.5 Assessment of Residual Effects ...... 4-19 4.5.6 Other Effects to Consider...... 4-26 4.5.7 Follow-up Program ...... 4-27

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1: Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s OPS, Technical Guidance Documents and Reference Guides under the CEAA, 2012 and Policies and Guidelines under the Species at Risk Act ...... 4-3 Table 4.2: Information Sources for the EA ...... 4-11 Table 4.3: Factors Considered in Identifying Potential Environmental Effects ...... 4-18 Table 4.4: Description of Assessment Criteria and Levels of Potential Environmental Effects ...... 4-20 Table 4.5: Description of Magnitude Criteria and VC Specific Levels of Potential Environmental Effects ...... 4-22

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 4-1: Local Assessment Areas for the proposed Project ...... 4-9 Figure 4-2: Regional Assessment Areas for the proposed Project ...... 4-10

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 4-1: Valued Components and Rationale for Their Selection Appendix 4-2: Baseline Consultants Memorandum - Valued Components and Rationale for Their Selection

CHAPTER 5

5.0 INDIGENOUS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ...... 5-1 5.1 Indigenous and Public Engagement Objectives and Approaches ...... 5-1 5.1.1 Objectives ...... 5-1 5.1.2 Engagement Methods ...... 5-3 5.1.3 Traditional Knowledge ...... 5-5 5.2 Engagement History on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg ...... 5-6 5.2.1 Initial Provincial Engagement Steps ...... 5-6 5.2.2 The East Side of Lake Winnipeg All-Weather Road Feasibility Study ...... 5-9 5.2.3 Large Area Transportation Network Study ...... 5-11 5.2.4 Project Level Planning and Design – Road Alignment Selection and Refinement ...... 5-13 5.3 Indigenous Groups to Engage and Engagement Activities ...... 5-17

Page v PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

5.3.1 Round 4 – Project Overview and Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 5-18 5.3.2 Round 5 – Valued Components, Potential Effects and Mitigation ...... 5-20 5.3.3 Round 6 – Potential Effects and Mitigation Confirmation ...... 5-22 5.3.4 Other Engagement Activities ...... 5-24 5.4 Public Consultation ...... 5-25 5.4.1 Other Indigenous Groups ...... 5-28 5.4.2 Government Engagement ...... 5-30 5.5 Summary of Key Engagement Activities ...... 5-31 5.6 Summary of Questions, Comments and Responses ...... 5-33 5.7 Future Engagement Activities ...... 5-59

LIST OF TABLES

Table 5.1: Indigenous and Public Engagement Methods Used by MI for Projects on the East Side of Lake Winnipeg Including the Proposed Project ...... 5-3 Table 5.2: Summary of Community Comments Related to Existing and Future Road Networks Compiled by the Feasibility Study ...... 5-10 Table 5.3: Round 1 Summary of Comments ...... 5-12 Table 5.4: Round 2 Summary of Comments ...... 5-13 Table 5.5: Summary of Key Round 3 Meetings...... 5-14 Table 5.6: Training Courses Delivered to Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God’s Lake First Nation Members...... 5-25 Table 5.7: Summary of Project Engagement Activities...... 5-31 Table 5.8: Summary of Key Questions and Comments Received from Directly Affected Communities, Response and Reference Location in the EIS ...... 5-33 Table 5.9: Summary of Key Questions and Comments Received from Other Indigenous Communities and the Public, Response and Reference Location in the EIS ...... 5-46 Table 5.10: Summary of Key Questions and Comments Received from Government, Response and Reference Location in the EIS ...... 5-52 Table 5.11: Summary of Proposed Future Engagement Activities & Notifications for Directly Affected Communities ...... 5-60 Table 5.12: Summary of Proposed Future Engagement Activities & Notifications for other Indigenous Communities 5-60LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 5-1: Steps to select, design and construct an all-season road ...... 5-2 Figure 5-2: Summary of MI’s all-season road planning process and rounds of public engagement ...... 5-7

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 5-1: Summary of Community Engagement Comments (Round 1) Appendix 5-2: Summary Feedback from Round 2 Leadership and Community Meetings Appendix 5-3: Round 4 IPEP Community Meeting Summaries Appendix 5-4: Round 5 IPEP Community Meeting Summaries

Page vi PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Appendix 5-5: Round 6 IPEP Community Meeting Summaries Appendix 5-6: Letters to Indigenous Groups Regarding the Submission of the EIS Appendix 5-7: Letters to Indigenous Groups Regarding the Posting of Annex A on the Manitoba Infrastructure Website Appendix 5-8: Winnipeg Open House Summaries Appendix 5-9: Manitoba Infrastructure Engagement Letter to Other Indigenous Groups Appendix 5-10: Manitoba Metis Federation Response to Engagement Letter Appendix 5-11: Manitoba Infrastructure Letter to Manitoba Metis Federation Requesting Supporting Information Appendix 5-12: Manitoba Metis Federation Response to Manitoba Infrastructure’s Request for Supporting Information Appendix 5-13: Comments Submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

CHAPTER 6

6.0 EFFECTS ASSESSMENT ...... 6-1 6.1 Project Setting and Baseline Conditions ...... 6-1 6.1.1 Atmospheric Environment ...... 6-1 6.1.2 Geology and Geochemistry ...... 6-8 6.1.3 Topography and Soil ...... 6-13 6.1.4 Riparian, Wetland and Terrestrial Environments ...... 6-20 6.1.5 Groundwater and Surface Water ...... 6-47 6.1.6 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 6-53 6.1.7 Migratory Birds and Habitat ...... 6-62 6.1.8 Species at Risk ...... 6-67 6.1.9 Indigenous Peoples ...... 6-89 6.1.10 Federal Decisions and Transboundary Effects ...... 6-129 6.1.11 Human Environment ...... 6-1230 6.2 Predicted Changes to the Physical Environment ...... 6-135 6.2.1 Changes to Atmospheric Environment ...... 6-136 6.2.2 Changes to Geology and Geochemistry ...... 6-142 6.2.3 Changes to Topography and Soil ...... 6-143 6.2.4 Changes to Groundwater and Surface Water ...... 6-144 6.2.5 Changes to Riparian, Wetland and Terrestrial Environments ...... 6-148 6.3 Predicted Effects on Valued Components ...... 6-163 6.3.1 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 6-164 6.3.2 Migratory Birds ...... 6-172 6.3.3 Species at Risk ...... 6-176 6.3.4 Indigenous Peoples and Human Health ...... 6-181 6.3.5 Federal Decision and Transboundary Effects ...... 6-192 6.4 Mitigation ...... 6-193 6.4.1 Atmospheric Environment ...... 6-194 6.4.2 Geology and Geochemistry ...... 6-196 6.4.3 Topography and Soil ...... 6-196

Page vii PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

6.4.4 Groundwater and Surface Water ...... 6-199 6.4.5 Riparian, Wetland and Terrestrial Environments ...... 6-201 6.4.6 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 6-209 6.4.7 Migratory Birds ...... 6-213 6.4.8 Species at Risk ...... 6-215 6.4.9 Indigenous Peoples ...... 6-217 6.4.10 Federal Decision and Transboundary Effects ...... 6-225 6.5 Significance of Residual Effects ...... 6-225 6.5.1 Atmospheric Environment ...... 6-226 6.5.2 Geology and Geochemistry ...... 6-229 6.5.3 Topography and Soil ...... 6-229 6.5.4 Groundwater and Surface Water ...... 6-230 6.5.5 Riparian, Wetland and Terrestrial Environments ...... 6-233 6.5.6 Fish and Fish Habitat ...... 6-240 6.5.7 Migratory Birds ...... 6-243 6.5.8 Species at Risk ...... 6-245 6.5.9 Indigenous Peoples ...... 6-248 6.5.10 Federal Decision and Transboundary Effects ...... 6-254 6.6 Other Effects ...... 6-254 6.6.1 Effects of Potential Accidents or Malfunctions ...... 6-254 6.6.2 Effects of the Environment on the Project ...... 6-260 6.6.3 Cumulative Effects Assessment ...... 6-268

LIST OF TABLES

Table 6.1: Monthly Temperature, Rainfall and Snowfall Data from the Island Lake Climate Station (1981 to 2010) ...... 6-4 Table 6.2: Area (km2) and Percent Coverage of Soil Classes Among Assessment Areas ...... 6-15 Table 6.3: Vegetation Cover Classes among Vegetation Assessment Areas ...... 6-23 Table 6.4: Land Burned by Forest Fire among Vegetation Assessment Areas...... 6-25 Table 6.5: Plants of Sustenance and Cultural Value Identified by Members of the Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God's Lake First Nation Within the Vegetation Local Assessment Area ...... 6-30 Table 6.6: Area and Proportion of Wetland Types Among Vegetation Assessment Areas ...... 6-35 Table 6.7: Trail Camera data for caribou, moose, wolf and bear in the Wildlife RAA, March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 ...... 6-38 Table 6.8: Trail Camera Counts for Furbearer in the Wildlife RAA, March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017 ...... 6-39 Table 6.9: Aerial Multi-Species Surveys conducted in portions of the RAA, 2012 – 2016 ...... 6-40 Table 6.10: Aerial Moose Survey Results ...... 6-42 Table 6.11: Mammal Species Observation by Participants of Wildlife Workshops in Local Communities ...... 6-43 Table 6.12: Key Attributes of Major Watercourse Crossings Along the All-Season Road ...... 6-47 Table 6.13: Key In situ Water Quality Measured at Major Watercourse Crossings Along the Proposed All-Season Road (June 2016) ...... 6-51

Page viii PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Table 6.14 Documented Fish Species Presence in Major Watercourses in the Aquatic RAA ...... 6-55 Table 6.15: Aquatic Environment Characteristics of Watercourse Crossings Along the All- Season Road Alignment...... 6-58 Table 6.16: Total number of bird observations by habitat type ...... 6-68 Table 6.17: Vegetation Species at Risk previously recorded in the God’s Lake area and surrounding Hayes River Upland Ecoregion...... 6-68 Table 6.18: Mammal Species at Risk That May Occur in the Wildlife Regional Assessment Area...... 6-70 Table 6.19: Bird Species at Risk That May Occur in the Wildlife Regional Assessment Area...... 6-79 Table 6.20: Manto Sipi Cree Nation: On-Reserve Population 2016 and 2011 ...... 6-93 Table 6.21: Population Demographics for Manto Sipi Cree Nation, 2011 ...... 6-93 Table 6.22: Select Local Businesses in Manto Sipi Cree Nation ...... 6-94 Table 6.23: Overview of Infrastructure and Utilities – Manto Sipi Cree Nation ...... 6-96 Table 6.24: Summary of Services in Manto Sipi Cree Nation ...... 6-96 Table 6.25: Bunibonibee Cree Nation: On-Reserve Population 2016 and 2011 ...... 6-99 Table 6.26: Population Demographics for Bunibonibee Cree Nation, 2011 ...... 6-100 Table 6.27: Select Local Businesses in Bunibonibee Cree Nation...... 6-101 Table 6.28: Overview of Infrastructure and Utilities – Bunibonibee Cree Nation...... 6-101 Table 6.29: Summary of Services in Bunibonibee Cree Nation ...... 6-103 Table 6.30: God’s Lake First Nation: On-Reserve Population 2016 and 2011 ...... 6-106 Table 6.31: Population Demographics for God’s Lake First Nation, 2011 ...... 6-107 Table 6.32: Select Local Businesses in God’s Lake First Nation ...... 6-109 Table 6.33: Overview of Infrastructure and Utilities – God’s Lake First Nation ...... 6-109 Table 6.34: Summary of Services in God’s Lake First Nation ...... 6-110 Table 6.35: God’s Lake Narrows Northern Affairs Community Population, 1985 to 2016 ...... 6-113 Table 6.36: Population Demographics for God’s Lake Narrows Northern Affairs Community, 2016 ...... 6-114 Table 6.37: Select Local Businesses in God’s Lake Narrows Northern Affairs Community ...... 6-114 Table 6.38: Overview of Infrastructure and Utilities – God’s Lake Narrows Northern Affairs Community...... 6-115 Table 6.39: Summary of Services in God’s Lake Narrows Northern Affairs Community ...... 6-115 Table 6.40: Harvesting Areas for Plants of Sustenance and Cultural Value Identified by Community Members...... 6-133 Table 6.41: Total Habitat Alteration and Loss at the Proposed Watercourse Crossings...... 6-170 Table 6.42: Accidents and Malfunctions – Release of Hazardous Materials ...... 6-255 Table 6.43: Potential Accidents and Malfunctions, Mitigation Measures and Evaluation of Environmental Risk ...... 6-262 Table 6.44: Evaluation of Effects of the Environment on the Project ...... 6-269 Table 6.45: Past, Present and Future Physical Activities Considered in the Cumulative Effects Assessment ...... 6-276 Table 6.46: Summary of Cumulative Residual Environmental Effects on VCs ...... 6-278

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 6-1: Local Assessment Areas for the proposed Project ...... 6-2

Page ix PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Figure 6-2: Regional Assessment Areas for the proposed Project ...... 6-3 Figure 6-3: Wind rose for the God’s Lake Narrows Airport ...... 6-4 Figure 6-4: Bedrock geology in the vicinity of the proposed Project ...... 6-9 Figure 6-5: Surficial geology in the vicinity of the proposed Project ...... 6-10 Figure 6-6: Quarry and mining activity in the vicinity of the proposed Project and potential construction quarry sites ...... 6-12 Figure 6-7: Ecodistricts and Areas of Special Interest in the vicinity of the proposed Project ...... 6-14 Figure 6-8: Soil classification in the vicinity of the proposed Project (Vegetation LAA and RAA shown) ...... 6-16 Figure 6-9: Land cover in the vicinity of the proposed Project ...... 6-22 Figure 6-10: Fire history in the vicinity of the proposed Project ...... 6-26 Figure 6-11: Wetland classification in the vicinity of the proposed Project (Vegetation LAA and RAA shown) ...... 6-33 Figure 6-12: Norway House and Pen Islands Caribou telemetry locations (Wildlife LAA and RAA shown) ...... 6-41 Figure 6-13: Historical daily water levels for Back Lake (04AA003) Hydrometric Station (1970 to 2016) ...... 6-48 Figure 6-14: Historical daily discharge graph for the God’s River at Confluence with Hayes River (04AD002) Hydrometric Station (1968 to 2016) ...... 6-49 Figure 6-15: Historical daily discharge graph for the Hayes River (04AB001) Hydrometric Station (1973 to 2016) ...... 6-50 Figure 6-16: Traditional Territories of Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God’s Lake First Nation and the lodge locations within the Indigenous RAA...... 6-91 Figure 6-17: First Nation reserve land, Treaty Land Entitlements and Registered Traplines in the vicinity of the proposed Project ...... 6-92 Figure 6-18: Manto Sipi Cree Nation businesses, services, infrastructure and utilities ...... 6-95 Figure 6-19: Bunibonibee Cree Nation businesses, services, infrastructure and utilities ...... 6-102 Figure 6-20: God’s Lake First Nation and Narrows Northern Affairs Community businesses, services, infrastructure and utilities ...... 6-108 Figure 6-21: Registered Trapline Districts in relation to the Indigenous Land/Resource Use RAA ...... 6-118 Figure 6-22: Métis Natural Resource Harvesting Zone ...... 6-121 Figure 6-23: Approach to Scoping and Screening of VCs for further Cumulative Effects Analysis ...... 6-273

LIST OF PHOTOGRAPHS

Photograph 6-1: Aspen Hardwood (V5) ...... 6-23 Photograph 6-2: Trembling aspen mixedwood/tall shrub (V8) ...... 6-23 Photograph 6-3: Trembling aspen mixedwood/low shrub (V9) ...... 6-23 Photograph 6-4: Black spruce mixedwood/feathermoss (V18) ...... 6-23 Photograph 6-5: Jack pine/ feathermoss (V25) ...... 6-24 Photograph 6-6: Jack pine- black spruce/lichen (V26) ...... 6-24 Photograph 6-7: Black spruce/shrub- and herb- poor (V27) ...... 6-24 Photograph 6-8: Jack pine- black spruce/ feathermoss (V28)...... 6-24

Page x PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Photograph 6-9: Black spruce/ feathermoss (V29) ...... 6-24 Photograph 6-10: Black spruce/ Labrador tea/feathermoss (Sphagnum) (V30) ...... 6-24 Photograph 6-11: Black Spruce/herb poor/Sphagnum (feathermoss) (V32) ...... 6-25 Photograph 6-12: Treed Bog (V33) ...... 6-36 Photograph 6-13: Treed Poor Fen ...... 6-36 Photograph 6-14: Shrub Rich Fen ...... 6-36 Photograph 6-15: Graminoid Rich Fen ...... 6-36 Photograph 6-16: Graminoid Poor Fen ...... 6-36 Photograph 6-17: Magill Creek (P6a-X019) – Upstream View Crossing Site ...... 6-60 Photograph 6-18: God’s River (Crossing P6b-X015) – Upstream View at Crossing Site ...... 6-61 Photograph 6-19: Woodland caribou captured on a trail camera in the Regional Assessment Area (Joro Consultants 2018b)...... 6-69 Photograph 6-20: Wolverine captured on a trail camera in the Regional Assessment Area (Joro Consultants 2018b)...... 6-76

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 6-1: Plant Species Observed in the Vegetation Local Assessment Area Appendix 6-2: Bird Species Observed in the Wildlife Regional Assessment Area Appendix 6-3: Interaction Between the VCs and Key Project Activities Appendix 6-4: Assessment of Environmental Effects Before Application of Proposed Mitigation Measures Appendix 6-5: Assessment of Environmental Effects After Application of Proposed Mitigation Measures

CHAPTER 7

7.0 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION ...... 7-1 7.1 Summary ...... 7-1 7.1.1 All-Season Road Network ...... 7-1 7.1.2 Proposed Project...... 7-1 7.1.3 Environmental Setting ...... 7-2 7.1.4 Engagement Program ...... 7-3 7.1.5 Environmental Assessment...... 7-3 7.1.6 Environmental Protection ...... 7-4 7.2 Conclusion ...... 7-4

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 7-1: Environmental Assessment Summary Table

CHAPTER 8

Page xi PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ...... 8-1 8.1 MI’s Environmental Commitment ...... 8-1 8.2 Environmental Protection – Project Planning...... 8-1 8.2.1 Stakeholder Involvement and Design Mitigation ...... 8-3 8.3 Environmental Protection - Construction Planning ...... 8-6 8.3.1 Environmental Management Plan ...... 8-6 8.3.2 Environmental Protection Procedures ...... 8-8 8.4 Environmental Protection - Construction ...... 8-8 8.4.1 Contract Specifications ...... 8-9 8.4.2 Contractor-Required Plans ...... 8-10 8.5 Environmental Protection - Operations and Maintenance ...... 8-12 8.6 Management Structure, Compliance and Reporting ...... 8-12 8.6.1 Monitoring and Compliance ...... 8-15 8.6.2 Schedule and Activity Tracking ...... 8-16 8.6.3 Project Construction and Contractor Requirements ...... 8-17 8.6.4 Reporting ...... 8-17 8.7 Commitment to Sustainable Development ...... 8-19

LIST OF TABLES

Table 8.1: Design Mitigation Resulting from Community Feedback ...... 8-5 Table 8.2: Environmental Components and Associated Protections ...... 8-15

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 8-1: MI’s environmental program across Project stages ...... 8-2 Figure 8-2: Environmental management and communication structure ...... 8-4 Figure 8-3: ISO 14001 environmental management system structure ...... 8-7 Figure 8-4: Manitoba Infrastructure organizational chart ...... 8-14

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 8-1: Project 6 - All-Season Road Linking Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God’s Lake First Nation Environmental Management Plan Framework Appendix 8-2: Environmental Protection Procedures Appendix 8-3: Environmental Protection Specifications Appendix 8-4: Safe Work Plan (Sample) Appendix 8-5: Sustainability Assessment of the Proposed Project

CHAPTER 9

Page xii PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

9.0 FOLLOW-UP AND MONITORING PROGRAMS ...... 9-1 9.1 Follow-up Program ...... 9-1 9.1.1 Inspection ...... 9-2 9.1.2 Monitoring ...... 9-2 9.2 Management Structure...... 9-3 9.3 Compliance Monitoring Program ...... 9-4 9.3.1 Oversight of Design and Construction Plans...... 9-4 9.3.2 Preliminary Environmental Monitoring Programs ...... 9-5 9.3.3 Construction Monitoring ...... 9-5 9.3.4 Post-Construction Monitoring ...... 9-6 9.4 Reporting ...... 9-6

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 9-1: Mitigation Inspections at Watercourse Crossings

CHAPTER 10

10.0 REFERENCES ...... 10-1 10.1 Literature Cited ...... 10-1 10.2 Personal Communications ...... 10-22

TECHNICAL REPORTS

Appendix A: Greenhouse Gas Follow–Up Assessment Appendix B: Vegetation Reports Appendix B-1: Botanical and Vegetation Resource Survey of the Proposed All-Season Road Project 6: Field Report Appendix B-2: Vegetation Characterization and Effects Assessment of the Proposed All-Season Road Project 6 Interim Report Appendix C: Aquatic Environment Reports Appendix C-1: Project 6 – All Season Road Linking Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God’s Lake First Nation, Aquatic Environment Report – Effects Assessment Appendix C-2: Project 6 – All Season Road Linking Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God’s Lake First Nation, Aquatic Environment Report – Existing Environment Appendix D: Wildlife Reports Appendix D-1: Project 6: Existing Environment Wildlife Report

Page xiii PROJECT 6 – ALL-SEASON ROAD ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Appendix D-2: Wildlife Characterization and Effects Assessment of the Proposed All-Season Road Project 6

Page xiv

Table of Contents