DOCSLIB.ORG

Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels Environmental Monitoring at the La Grande Complex Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels Summary Report 1978-2012 OCTOBER 2013 Environmental Monitoring at the La Grande Complex Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels Summary Report 1978–2012 Joint report by: HYDRO-QUÉBEC PRODUCTION AND GENIVAR INC. OCTOBER 2013 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Author(s) and title (for quotation purposes): SCHETAGNE, R. and J.THERRIEN, 2013. Environmental Monitoring at the La Grande Complex. Evolution of Fish Mercury Levels. Summary Report 1978–2012. GENIVAR inc. and Hydro-Québec Production. 172 p. Abstract: An environmental monitoring program was established to evaluate the physical, chemical and biological changes associated with the development of the La Grande hydroelectric complex. The monitoring of fish mercury became a regular component of the program as soon as the increase in fish mercury levels was observed. The specific objectives were to evaluate the temporal evolution of the phenomenon in the different types of modified environments, inform fish consumers and improve impact prediction methods for future projects. The main objectives of monitoring fish mercury during Phase I and II development of the La Grande complex were all achieved. The monitoring program, which involved conducting 45,000 analyses of total mercury in fish, helped establish the extent and duration of the temporary increase in fish mercury levels, the main processes at work and the physical and biological factors that control them. Reservoir impoundment caused an increase in fish mercury levels in the newly created reservoirs and the water bodies downstream of them to increase significantly, by factors generally ranging from 2 to 8 relative to the levels measured in natural environments. Levels peaked 4 to 11 years after impoundment in non-piscivorous species (0.33 to 0.72 mg/kg) and after 9 to 14 years in piscivorous species (1.65 to 4.66 mg/kg), depending on the environment. The phenomenon was temporary, however, as mercury levels generally returned to baseline values found in natural environments 10 to 20 years after impoundment in non-piscivorous species and after 20 to 30 years in piscivorous species. The Québec Crees were consistently informed of fish mercury levels in the La Grande complex, in accordance with the provisions of the two mercury-related agreements signed with the Crees of Québec in 1986 and 2001. Fish consumption guidelines for the La Grande complex were produced in 1998, 2001, 2004 and 2013 on the basis of the mercury exposure criteria established by the Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay (CBHSSJB), using the data collected during the monitoring program. The development of two prediction models for fish mercury levels in reservoirs clearly demonstrates that the third objective, which was to improve impact prediction methods for future projects, was fulfilled. For the majority of fish species in most of the modified water bodies, the average mercury levels recorded during the most recent surveys once again allow for consumption similar to that recommended for the region's natural lakes. Therefore, it has been suggested that the monitoring of mercury levels in environments modified by the La Grande complex during phases I and II be discontinued except in Lac Sakami, where it will be incorporated into the monitoring of water bodies affected by Phase III. Keywords: Mercury / Fish / Hydroelectric complex / La Grande / Québec / Baie James / reservoir / reduced- flow environment / increased-flow environment / polynomial regression / northern pike / walleye / lake white- fish / longnose sucker Distribution list: Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs, James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment, Review Committee, Cree Regional Authority, Cree communities, Makivik Corporation, Société d'énergie de la Baie James, Société de développement de la Baie-James, Municipalité de Baie-James, Hunting, Fishing and Trapping Coordinating Committee, Canadian Electrical Association, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay, Centre régional de la santé et des services sociaux de la Baie James, Health and Welfare Canada; environment and community relations units of Hydro-Québec's divisions; Hydro-Québec environment documentation centre. Final version Distribution Code: internal-external Date: October 2013 Call number at Centre de documentation Environnement d'Hydro-Québec: HQ-2013-097 iii PROJECT TEAM 20121 Hydro-Québec Production (Direction Gestion des actifs et conformité réglementaire) Study Authority : Diane Villeneuve Mercury Program Manager : Roger Schetagne GENIVAR inc. Project Manager : Jean Therrien Contributors : Christian Harvey Patrice Bégin Bernard Aubé-Maurice Fieldwork Coordinator : Jacques Mercier Cartography Coordinator : Diane Gagné Statistics and Data Processing : Jean Therrien Georges Morin Cartography Assistants : Maude Boulanger Ivana Saint-Laurent Line Savoie Chantale Landry Editing : Linette Poulin Technical Assistants (fieldwork and office) : Jacques Mercier Jean-Simon Roy Benjamin Gagnon Benoît Chabot Nathalie Guérard Gilles Baribeau Martin Bégin Christopher Cox Wayne Chakapash Hydro-Québec Reference No.: 25034-12005 Consultant Reference No.: 121-18895-00 1. For other contributors, please refer to previous annual or summary reports. v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................... iii PROJECT TEAM 2012 ............................................................................................................. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................... vii TABLES .................................................................................................................................... xi FIGURES ................................................................................................................................ xiii APPENDICES .......................................................................................................................... xv MAPS ....................................................................................................................................... xv POCKET INSERT MAP ........................................................................................................... xv 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Project description, general commitments and obligations ................................ 2 1.1.1 Study area and environment .......................................................................... 2 1.1.2 Hydroelectric developments in the La Grande complex ................................. 5 1.1.3 General commitments and obligations ........................................................... 5 1.2 Commitments and obligations specific to mercury ............................................. 8 1.3 Review of prior studies ......................................................................................... 11 1.4 Objectives ............................................................................................................... 11 2. METHODS ...................................................................................................................... 13 2.1 Sampling strategy, measurements and samples taken ..................................... 13 2.1.1 Sampling strategy ......................................................................................... 13 2.1.2 Fish measurement and sampling ................................................................. 21 2.2 Analytical determination ....................................................................................... 23 2.3 Statistical approach ............................................................................................... 28 2.3.1 Comparisons ................................................................................................ 28 2.3.2 Statistical procedure ..................................................................................... 29 2.4 Risk management .................................................................................................. 31 2.4.1 Search for mitigation measures .................................................................... 32 2.4.2 Implementation of compensation measures ................................................. 33 2.4.3 Production of fish consumption guidelines ................................................... 33 2.4.3.1 Recommended exposure level and tolerable daily intake .............. 34 2.4.3.2 Calculation of consumption lengths ................................................ 35 2.4.3.3 Prediction and validation of maximum levels reached ................... 36 2.4.3.4 Calculating the recommended number of meals per month ........... 40 2.4.3.5 Development of fish consumption guidelines ................................. 41 2.5 Complementary studies ........................................................................................ 43 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) Page 3. RESULTS ....................................................................................................................... 45 3.1 Natural environments ............................................................................................ 45
Load more

Recommended publications
  • North American Megadam Resistance Alliance
    North American Megadam Resistance Alliance May 18, 2020 Christopher Lawrence U.S. Department of Energy Management and Program Analyst Transmission Permitting and Technical Assistance Office of Electricity Christopher.Lawrence.hq.doe.gov Re: Comments on DOE Docket No. PP-362-1: Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. and CHPE, LLC: Application to Rescind Presidential Permit and Application for Presidential Permit Dear Mr. Lawrence, The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter and North American Megadam Resistance Alliance submit these comments on the above-referenced application of Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc. (CHPEI) and CHPE, LLC (together, the Applicants) to transfer to CHPE, LLC ownership of the facilities owned by CHPEI and authorized for cross-border electric power transmission via a high voltage direct current line (the Project) by Presidential Permit No. PP- 362, dated October 6, 2014 (PP-362 or the Permit) .1 The Project is being developed by TDI, a Blackstone portfolio company. www.transmissiondevelopers.com Blackstone is a private investment firm with about $500 billion under management. www.blackstone.com The Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, headquartered Albany New York, is responsible for the Sierra Club’s membership and activities in New York State and works on a variety of environmental issues. The Sierra Club is a national environmental organization founded in 1892. 1 On April 6, 2020, the Applicants requested that the Department of Energy (DOE) amend, or in the alternative, rescind and reissue PP-362 to enable the transfer of the Permit from CHPEI to its affiliate CHPE, LLC (the Application). On April 16, 2020, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a Notice of “Application to Rescind Presidential Permit; Application for Presidential Permit; Champlain Hudson Power Express, Inc.
    [Show full text]
  • Death and Life for Inuit and Innu
    skin for skin Narrating Native Histories Series editors: K. Tsianina Lomawaima Alcida Rita Ramos Florencia E. Mallon Joanne Rappaport Editorial Advisory Board: Denise Y. Arnold Noenoe K. Silva Charles R. Hale David Wilkins Roberta Hill Juan de Dios Yapita Narrating Native Histories aims to foster a rethinking of the ethical, methodological, and conceptual frameworks within which we locate our work on Native histories and cultures. We seek to create a space for effective and ongoing conversations between North and South, Natives and non- Natives, academics and activists, throughout the Americas and the Pacific region. This series encourages analyses that contribute to an understanding of Native peoples’ relationships with nation- states, including histo- ries of expropriation and exclusion as well as projects for autonomy and sovereignty. We encourage collaborative work that recognizes Native intellectuals, cultural inter- preters, and alternative knowledge producers, as well as projects that question the relationship between orality and literacy. skin for skin DEATH AND LIFE FOR INUIT AND INNU GERALD M. SIDER Duke University Press Durham and London 2014 © 2014 Duke University Press All rights reserved Printed in the United States of America on acid- free paper ∞ Designed by Heather Hensley Typeset in Arno Pro by Copperline Book Services, Inc. Library of Congress Cataloging- in- Publication Data Sider, Gerald M. Skin for skin : death and life for Inuit and Innu / Gerald M. Sider. pages cm—(Narrating Native histories) Includes bibliographical references and index. isbn 978- 0- 8223- 5521- 2 (cloth : alk. paper) isbn 978- 0- 8223- 5536- 6 (pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Naskapi Indians—Newfoundland and Labrador—Labrador— Social conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Revised Draft Experiences with Inter Basin Water
    REVISED DRAFT EXPERIENCES WITH INTER BASIN WATER TRANSFERS FOR IRRIGATION, DRAINAGE AND FLOOD MANAGEMENT ICID TASK FORCE ON INTER BASIN WATER TRANSFERS Edited by Jancy Vijayan and Bart Schultz August 2007 International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) 48 Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110 021 INDIA Tel: (91-11) 26116837; 26115679; 24679532; Fax: (91-11) 26115962 E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.icid.org 1 Foreword FOREWORD Inter Basin Water Transfers (IBWT) are in operation at a quite substantial scale, especially in several developed and emerging countries. In these countries and to a certain extent in some least developed countries there is a substantial interest to develop new IBWTs. IBWTs are being applied or developed not only for irrigated agriculture and hydropower, but also for municipal and industrial water supply, flood management, flow augmentation (increasing flow within a certain river reach or canal for a certain purpose), and in a few cases for navigation, mining, recreation, drainage, wildlife, pollution control, log transport, or estuary improvement. Debates on the pros and cons of such transfers are on going at National and International level. New ideas and concepts on the viabilities and constraints of IBWTs are being presented and deliberated in various fora. In light of this the Central Office of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) has attempted a compilation covering the existing and proposed IBWT schemes all over the world, to the extent of data availability. The first version of the compilation was presented on the occasion of the 54th International Executive Council Meeting of ICID in Montpellier, France, 14 - 19 September 2003.
    [Show full text]
  • Isciences Global Water Monitor & Forecast February 14, 2020
    Global Water Monitor & Forecast Watch List February 14, 2020 For more information, contact: Thomas M. Parris, President, 802-864-2999, [email protected] Table of Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 2 Worldwide Water Watch List ........................................................................................................................ 4 Watch List: Regional Synopsis ....................................................................................................................... 4 Watch List: Regional Details .......................................................................................................................... 6 United States ............................................................................................................................................. 6 Canada ...................................................................................................................................................... 9 Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean ......................................................................................... 11 South America ......................................................................................................................................... 13 Europe ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
    [Show full text]
  • Peaceful Green Field
    « You are my best business partners! » Summary Billy Diamond - Who we are - Companies Activities - Partnerships with First Nations - Short video Province of Quebec Nuna Ressources Groupe Desfor Partnerships Inuit, Kuujjuaq With First Nations Taw ich-Desf o r Cree, Wemindji Siib ii-Wask a Cr ee, Waskaganish Nemaska Ressources Unnu Construction Cree, Nemaska Waska Ressources Innu, Maliot enam Pak u a-Nemet au Ressources Cree, Waskaganish Innu, Pakuashipi N ew co Cree, Waskaganish and Nemaska Wask A r no Cree, Waskaganish Cree Forestry Partnership Cr ee Communities Nutashkuan Ressources Washw a N u Nemet au Ressources Innu, Nat asquan Cree, Waswanipi Innu, Maliot enam A k i-Desf o r LP Algonquin, Pikogan Washw a N u -M o r eau Cree, Waswanipi Lac Sim o n Wey m o k Algonquin, Lac SimonAtikamekw, Wemotaci Tegsiq Wit hw o r t h Mi’cmaq, List uguj Ot eno Wend ak e M alécit es Atikamekw, Manawan H u r o ns K it igan Z ib i Gr o u p e Algonquin, M aniw ak i A m t ech Desf o r Legend: Red: Co-company (JV or company) K anesat ak e Green: In discussion M o haw k s Diamond Groupe Family Desfor Elizabeth Diamond President Robert Desautels General Manager Ian Diamond Jean-Claude Dostie Luc Desrosiers Martin Tremblay Business Environment Administration Development • Joint force with Siibii Development Corporation • Use sub-contractor from other communities (Apitsiu, VCC, etc…) • Use Human Resources from other communities (lineman) • Forestry • Civil Engineering • Project Management • Construction (RBQ licence) • Environment • Surveying • Geomatics • Communications • Customized Training Let’s say you want to travel the world….
    [Show full text]
  • CE 54 (R1) (Public)
    Muskrat Falls Project - CE-54 Rev. 1 (Public) Page 1 of 66 Muskrat Falls Project - CE-54 Rev. 1 (Public) Page 2 of 66 Nalcor Energy - Lower Churchill Project GI1141 - Upper Churchill PMF and Flood Handling Procedures Update Final Report - August 28, 2009 Table of Contents List of Tables List of Figures Executive Summary 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Background................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.1.1 Project Location ................................................................................................................1-1 1.1.2 Summary of GI1140 Study ................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1.3 Rationale for Smaller PMF Estimate ................................................................................... 1-2 1.2 Probable Maximum Flood Definition .......................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Approach .................................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3.1 Review of Previous Studies................................................................................................ 1-3 1.3.2 Update of PMF Estimate ...................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • C S a S S C C S
    C S A S S C C S Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat Secrétariat canadien de consultation scientifique Research Document 2005/051 Document de recherche 2005/051 Not to be cited without Ne pas citer sans permission of the authors * autorisation des auteurs * A Comprehensive Framework for Un protocole d'évaluation des Assessing Changes in Fish Habitat changements de capacité de Productive Capacity Resulting From production de l'habitat du poisson Large Hydroelectric Projects lors de grands projets hydroélectriques Michel Bérubé, Richard Verdon, Gabriel Durocher, Jean-Christophe Guay Hydro-Québec Équipement Direction développement de projet et environnement 855 Sainte-Catherine est, 9ième étage Montréal, Québec H2L 4P5 * This series documents the scientific basis for the * La présente série documente les bases evaluation of fisheries resources in Canada. As scientifiques des évaluations des ressources such, it addresses the issues of the day in the halieutiques du Canada. Elle traite des time frames required and the documents it problèmes courants selon les échéanciers contains are not intended as definitive statements dictés. Les documents qu’elle contient ne on the subjects addressed but rather as progress doivent pas être considérés comme des énoncés reports on ongoing investigations. définitifs sur les sujets traités, mais plutôt comme des rapports d’étape sur les études en cours. Research documents are produced in the official Les documents de recherche sont publiés dans language in which they are provided to the la langue officielle utilisée dans le manuscrit Secretariat. envoyé au Secrétariat. This document is available on the Internet at: Ce document est disponible sur l’Internet à: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/csas/ ISSN 1499-3848 (Printed / Imprimé) © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2005 © Sa majesté la Reine, Chef du Canada, 2005 ABSTRACT The Policy for the management of fish habitat and its No net Loss of habitat productive capacity by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) represents a challenge for the hydroelectric industry in general.
    [Show full text]
  • Hydro-Québec TRIENNIAL REVIEW of RESOURCE ADEQUACY
    Hydro-Québec TRIENNIAL REVIEW OF RESOURCE ADEQUACY Prepared by Direction principale Approvisionnements énergétiques et Marchés de gros Groupe Services énergétiques Hydro-Québec May 1999 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This Report, Hydro-Québec Triennal Review of Resource Adequacy is submitted to the Northeast Power Coordinating Council (NPCC) and prepared in accordance with the “Guidelines for Area Review of Resource Adequacy”, document B-8 revised 2/14/96. It shows that Hydro-Québec has the ability to meet the NPCC reliability criterion as stated below for the planning period 1998 through 2008. NPCC reliability criterion : “ Each Area's resources will be planned in such a manner that, after due allowance for scheduled outages and deratings, forced outages and deratings, assistance over interconnections with neighboring Areas and regions, and capacity and/or load relief from available operating procedures, the probability of disconnecting non-interruptible customers due to resource deficiencies, on the average, will be no more than once in ten years”. This report is based on the 1998 load forecast and considers the potential of available and committed resources within the planning period. The in-service dates of new projects other than those that are committed are not shown in this report. Only the potential of uncommitted resources post 2000 is discussed. The highlights of the report are as follow Québec load is expected to grow at a lower rate than anticipated in 1995 (1,4% instead of 1,9%). Consequently, no new resources are required for the Québec load and current firm export obligations before the winter 2004-05. The margin over reserve requirement allows Hydro-Québec to increase short term exports.
    [Show full text]
  • Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii
    Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii MULTI -CO mm UNITY ENVIRON M ENT -AND -HEALTH STUDY IN EEYOU ISTCHEE , 2005-2009: FINAL TECHNICAL REPORT Public Health Report Series 4 on the Health of the Population Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay September 2013 Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii MULTI -CO mm UNITY ENVIRON me NT -AND -HE ALT H STUDY IN EE YOU IS TC hee , 2005-2009: FINAL TE C H NICAL RE PORT Chisasibi Eastmain Mistissini Nemaska Oujé-Bougoumou Waskaganish Waswanipi Wemindji Whapmagoostui Public Health Report Series 4 on the Health of the Population Cree Board of Health and Social Services of James Bay September 2013 We would like to thank Evert Nieboer, Professor Emeritus at McMaster University, friend and colleague, for his perseverance and strong leadership over the past ten years, throughout the planning, field work and reporting of this study. He first became involved in Eeyou Istchee in 2002 when he was invited by the Cree Nation of Oujé- Bougoumou to be a co-investigator in the study of the health impacts from former mining developments in their traditional territory. After that study, he agreed to carry out a community consultation to plan the NA study and has continued his active leadership throughout the years to ensure the successful completion of this report. Nieboer E, Dewailly E, Johnson-Down L, Sampasa-Kanyinga H, Château-Degat M-L, Egeland GM, Atikessé L, Robinson E, Torrie J. Nituuchischaayihtitaau Aschii Multi-community Environment-and-Health Study in Eeyou Istchee 2005- 2009: Final Technical Report. Nieboer E, Robinson E, Petrov K, editors. Public Health Report Series 4 on the Health of the Population.
    [Show full text]
  • Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project
    Lower Churchill Hydroelectric Generation Project A description of the proposed project and its potential effects on the environment Nipishish Nipishish Lake Lake Red WineRed River Wine River SmallwoodSmallwood Reservoir Reservoir Grand GrandLake Lake NorthNorth West West ChurchillChurchill Falls Falls River River SheshatshiuSheshatshiu ChurchillChurchill Falls Falls GeneratingGenerating Station Station HappyHappy Valley Valley - - GooseGoose Bay Bay Mud LakeMud Lake MuskratMuskrat Falls Falls Site Site r r Wi Wi e e no no v v kapauk Laapkaeu Lake i i R R u u m m a a n n Gull IslandGull Island e e K K Site Site ChurchillChurchill River River QUEBECQUEBEC DominionDominion Lake Lake MinipiMinipi InterconnectingInterconnecting Transmission Transmission Line Line Lake Lake LABRADORLABRADOR Lower ChurchillLower Churchill River Valley River Area Valley Area Lower ChurchillLower Churchill Watershed Watershed QUE BE CQUE BE C INSET INSET 0 0 25 25 50 50 KilometresKilometres Nipishish Nipishish Lake Lake Red WineRed River Wine River SmallwoodSmallwood Reservoir Reservoir Grand GrandLake Lake NorthNorth West West ChurchillChurchill Falls Falls River River SheshatshiuSheshatshiu ChurchillChurchill Falls Falls GeneratingGenerating Station Station HappyHappy Valley Valley - - Conceptual Illustration of the Muskrat Falls Generation Station GooseGoose Bay Bay Mud LakeMud Lake MuskratMuskrat Falls Falls Site Site r r Wi Wi e e no no v v kapauk Laapkaeu Lake i i R R u u m m a a n n Gull IslandGull Island e e K K Site Site ChurchillChurchill River River
    [Show full text]
  • A National Ecological Framework for Canada
    A NATIONAL ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK FOR CANADA Written and compiled by: Ecological Stratification Working Group Centre for Land and Biological State of the Environment Directorate Resources Research Environment Conservation Service Research Branch Environment Canada Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada ---- Copies of this report and maps available from: Canadian Soil Information System (CanSIS) Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Ottawa, ON KIA OC6 State of the Environment Directorate Environmental Conservation Service Environment Canada Hull, PQ KIA OH3 Printed and digital copies of the six regional ecodistrict and ecoregion maps at scale of 1:2 million (Atlantic Provinces #CASOlO; Quebec #CASOll; Ontario #CAS012; Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta #CAS013; British Columbia and Yukon Territory #CASOI4; and the Northwest Territories #CASOI5); and associated databases are available from Canadian Soil Information System (CanSIS), address as above. co Minister of Supply and Services Canada 1996 Cat. No. A42-65/1996E ISBN 0-662-24107-X Egalement disponible en fran91is sous Ie titre Cadrc ecologiqllc national po"r Ie Canada Bibliographic Citation: Ecological Stratification Working Group. 1995. A National Ecological Framework for Canada. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch, Centre for Land and Biological Resources Research and Environment Canada, State of the Environment Directorate, Ecozone Analysis Branch, Ottawa/Hull. Report and national map at 1:7500 000 scale. TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface iv Acknowledgemenl<; v 1. Ecolo~cal Re~onalization in Canada 1 2. Methodology. .. .. 2 Map COlnpilation . .. 2 Levels of Generalization. .. 2 Ecozones 2 Ecoregions . 4 Ecodistricts 4 Data Integration. .. 6 3. The Ecological Framework 8 4. Applications of the Framework 8 Reporting Applications.
    [Show full text]
  • Whabouchi Mining Project Draft Environmental Assessment Report
    Whabouchi Mining Project Draft Environmental Assessment Report May 6, 2015 Executive Summary Nemaska Lithium Inc. (“the Proponent”) is proposing to develop and operate a spodumene deposit in Whabouchi (“the Project”). The Project is located 30 km east of Nemaska and 280 km from Chibougamau. It is located entirely on Category III land under the jurisdiction of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, and is managed by the Eeyou Istchee regional government. The Project primarily involves the construction, operation, restoration and decommissioning of an open-pit and underground spodumene mine, a waste rock and tailings pile, an ore processing plant, and administrative and maintenance buildings. The mine would have an average ore production rate of 3 000 tonnes per day over a life of 26 years. The Project is subject to an environmental assessment by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, as it constitutes a designated activity under subsection 16(a) of the Regulations Designating Physical Activities: “the construction, operation, decommissioning and abandonment of a new metal mine, other than a rare earth element mine or gold mine, with an ore production capacity of 3 000 t/d or more.” The Project also underwent a provincial environmental and social impact assessment by the Government of Quebec under Section 22 of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement. No federal-provincial cooperation agreement exists for Projects subject to the provincial process. However, to improve the application of the two environmental assessment processes, the Agency maintained cooperative ties with the Government of Quebec throughout the environmental assessment.
    [Show full text]