Assessment of the Impacts of Aurico Metals Inc.'S Proposed Kemess Underground Mine Project on the Aboriginal
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Assessment of the Impacts of Aurico Metals Inc.’s proposed Kemess Underground Mine Project on the Aboriginal Title, Rights and Interests of the The Tsay Keh Nay (Kwadacha First Nation, Takla Lake First Nation and Tsay Keh Dene) February 2017 Prepared for the Tsay Keh Nay Authored by Brian Toth and Michelle Tung Ecologistics Resource Management Inc. Assessment of the Impacts of Aurico Metals Inc.’s proposed Kemess Underground Mine Project on the Aboriginal Title, Rights and Interests of the The Tsay Keh Nay Table of Contents Executive Summary ....................................................................................................................................... 8 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 20 2 Scope of Assessment and Report Structure........................................................................................ 23 3 Methodology ....................................................................................................................................... 23 3.1 Overview of the TKN’s Rights ...................................................................................................... 23 3.1.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 23 3.1.2 Aboriginal title, rights and interest ..................................................................................... 23 3.1.2.1 Takla Lake First Nation .................................................................................................... 23 3.1.2.2 Tsay Keh Dene First Nation ............................................................................................. 26 3.1.2.3 Kwadacha First Nation .................................................................................................... 30 3.2 Overview of historical and contemporary ecological context .................................................... 32 3.3 Territorial/Landscape‐Level Assessment .................................................................................... 32 3.4 Assessment of Current Status/Health of Key Indicators ............................................................. 33 3.5 TKN’s Current Abilities to Exercise their Rights .......................................................................... 34 3.6 Project Effects and Impacts described in the Application .......................................................... 34 3.7 Assessing Project Effects and Impacts based on Current Conditions ......................................... 35 3.8 Mitigation Options / Recommendations .................................................................................... 35 4 Summary of the Application Findings ................................................................................................. 35 4.1 Project Description ...................................................................................................................... 35 4.2 Aquatic Resources ....................................................................................................................... 37 4.2.1 Aquatic Resource VCs assessed in the Application ............................................................. 37 4.2.2 Overview of Application Conclusions .................................................................................. 39 4.3 Wildlife Resources ....................................................................................................................... 41 4.3.1 Wildlife Resource VCs assessed in the Application ............................................................. 41 4.3.2 Overview of Application Conclusions .................................................................................. 42 4.4 TKN’s Rights................................................................................................................................. 44 5 Landscape Level Indicators ................................................................................................................. 49 5.1 Territorial Disturbance Analyses ................................................................................................. 49 5.2 Riparian Forest Removal ............................................................................................................. 49 5.3 Road Density ............................................................................................................................... 52 5.4 Equivalent Clearcut Area ............................................................................................................. 54 6 Biological Indicators ............................................................................................................................ 57 February 2017 Page 1 of 203 Assessment of the Impacts of Aurico Metals Inc.’s proposed Kemess Underground Mine Project on the Aboriginal Title, Rights and Interests of the The Tsay Keh Nay 6.1 Aquatic‐Fish ................................................................................................................................. 57 6.1.1 Fisheries‐Aquatics Status Overview .................................................................................... 57 6.1.2 Fraser Watershed – Aquatic‐Fish Resources ...................................................................... 58 6.1.2.1 Fraser Watershed – Environmental Trends and Contemporary Ecological Context ...... 58 6.1.2.2 Fraser Watershed – Historical Environmental Context .................................................. 59 6.1.3 Skeena Watershed – Aquatic‐Fish Resources ..................................................................... 76 6.1.3.1 Skeena Watershed – Environmental Trends and Contemporary Ecological Context ..... 76 6.1.3.2 Skeena Watershed – Historical Environmental Context ................................................. 77 6.1.4 Upper Stikine Watershed (upper Stikine, Spatsizi, Chukachida) – Aquatic‐Fish Resources 100 6.1.5 Peace‐Williston Watershed – Aquatic‐Fish Resources ..................................................... 100 6.1.5.1 Peace‐Williston Watershed – Environmental Trends and Contemporary Ecological Context 100 6.1.5.2 Peace‐Williston Watershed – Historical Environmental Context ................................. 101 6.1.6 Peace Watershed – Easter Slope Drainages ..................................................................... 122 6.1.6.1 Liard watershed ‐ (Kechika/Gataga, Muskwa/Tuchodi, Wokkpash) ............................. 122 6.2 Wildlife ...................................................................................................................................... 123 6.2.1 Wildlife Management in TKN Territories .......................................................................... 123 6.2.2 Environmental Trends ....................................................................................................... 125 6.2.2.1 Historical Environmental Context and Trends .............................................................. 125 6.2.2.2 Management Policy ...................................................................................................... 126 6.2.2.3 Outcomes (Current Context) ......................................................................................... 126 6.2.3 Caribou .............................................................................................................................. 126 6.2.3.1 Status ............................................................................................................................ 128 6.2.3.2 Contributing factors/threats ......................................................................................... 133 6.2.3.3 TKN Ability to Exercise Rights ....................................................................................... 133 6.2.4 Moose ............................................................................................................................... 134 6.2.4.1 Status ............................................................................................................................ 134 6.2.4.2 Contributing factors/Threats ........................................................................................ 137 6.2.4.3 TKN Ability to Exercise Right ......................................................................................... 138 6.2.5 Mountain Goat .................................................................................................................. 139 6.2.5.1 Status ............................................................................................................................ 139 6.2.5.2 Contributing factors/Threats ........................................................................................ 142 6.2.5.3 TKN Ability to Exercise Right ......................................................................................... 144 February 2017 Page 2 of 203 Assessment of the Impacts of Aurico Metals Inc.’s proposed Kemess Underground Mine Project on the Aboriginal Title, Rights and Interests of the The Tsay Keh Nay 6.2.6 Stone’s Sheep .................................................................................................................... 145 6.2.6.1 Status ............................................................................................................................ 146 6.2.6.2 Contributing