Pays Plat First Nation Watershed Study for Greenstone Gold Mines

Pays Plat First Nation Watershed study for Greenstone Gold Mines

Prepared by: Debbie King, Environmental Technician

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction ...... 1 2.0 Project Overview ...... 2 3.0 Testing Protocols ...... 2 4.0 Testing Sites ...... 3 4.1 Dickison Lake ...... 3 4.2 Trio Lake ...... 4 4.3 Toupee Lake ...... 5 4.4 Chorus Lake ...... 6 4.5 Long Lake ...... 7 4.6 Campsite Lake ...... 8 4.7 Diversion Lake ...... 8 4.8 Aguasabon Lake ...... 9 4.9 Little Aguasabon River ...... 9 5.0 Laboratory Results ...... 10 5.1 Dickison Lake ...... 10 5.2 Toupee Lake...... 11 5.3 Chorus Lake ...... 12 5.4 Long Lake...... 13 5.5 Campsite Lake ...... 14 5.6 Diversion Lake ...... 15 5.7 Aguasabon Lake ...... 16 5.8 Little Aguasabon River...... 17 6.0 Sediment Sampling ...... 18 6.1 Results...... 19 7.0 Wildlife and Terrain Changes...... 20 8.0 Site Map ...... 21 9.0 Photos ...... 22 10.0 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………..………25

List of Table & Figures

Table 1- In-situ Results – Dickison Lake...... 3 Table 2- In-situ results – Trio Lake...... 4 Table 3- In-situ Results – Toupee Lake...... 5 Table 4-In-situ Results – Chorus Lake...... 6 Table 5- In-situ Results – Long Lake...... 7

Table 6- In-situ Results – Campsite Lake...... 8 Table 7- In-situ Results – Diversion Lake...... 9 Table 8- In-situ Results – Aguasabon Lake...... 9 Table 9- In-situ Results – Little Aguasabon Lake...... 9 Table 10 Sediment Results...... 19

Figure 1 – Kemmerer sampling on Long Lake...... 22 Figure 2 – Dissolved Oxygen testing on Dickison Lake...... 22 Figure 3 – Aguasabon Lake...... 23 Figure 4 – Little Aguasabon River...... 23 Figure 5 – Diversion Lake ………………………………………………………………………………… 24 Figure 6 – Felix Lake ………………………………………………………………………………….……..24

Pays Plat First Nation community members use the general area for hunting, fishing, trapping, gathering, travel and ceremonies.

Nothing in this document shall be construed so as to derogate from or abrogate from any existing Aboriginal, Treaty, Constitutional or any other First Nation rights; or the powers or privileges of the Province of Ontario. This includes any rights or freedoms that have been recognized by the Royal Proclamation of October 7, 1763; and any rights or freedoms that now exist by way of land claims agreements or may be so required.

Nothing in this document shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for the existing aboriginal and Treaty rights of the aboriginal peoples of Canada as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

1.0 Introduction

Pays Plat First Nation have utilized the Long Lake, Dickison Lake, Chorus Lake and the Aguasabon River for centuries. From the early 1800’s community members from Pays Plat travelled to that area via canoe to harvest wildlife and plants for food, clothing, medicines and ceremonies. When the Hudson Bay Company and Northwest Company were stationed there, members had to travel that great distance to barter and collect their treaty payment.

In 2003, bones wrapped in birch bark were located by Mr. Woods on Long Lake. A Burial Ceremony was held by Raymond Goodchild, Francis Goodchild, Douglas Moses and Claudette Morriseau along with OPP officer Claude Montefort. This find indicates that the area had been used by First Nations in the past and burial sites are present.

Today, community members from Pays Plat still utilize this area for harvesting food, i.e. hunting, fishing and trapping. Medicine gatherers use the area to harvest plants and hold ceremonies.

Mining activities can alter/challenge calving grounds, river crossings, migration routes and wintering sites. It has always been Pays Plat’s mission to ensure a safe and healthy environment for the future of our Grandchildren and their Grandchildren. Pays Plat depends on a healthy ecosystem for food, clothing and collecting medicinal plants. As well, elders bring youth on the land to pass down Traditional Knowledge and teach the importance of maintaining our culture.

The protection of our sacred sites is vital. This specific area has certain sites present that are essential to our culture.

Through a positive working partnership with Greenstone Gold Mines, it is our belief that these lands can be properly maintained and protected to ensure a healthy ecosystem for years to come. It was through this relationship that our Environmental Technician was able to perform the following watershed study and potentially continue monitoring in the future.

1.0 Project Overview

Through community interviews and studying maps of the area, specific lakes and rivers were chosen to perform sampling on. In the Upper Kenogami watershed, water flows north into Long Lake. Due to a dam diversion, waters from the Long Lake system flow south through the Aguasabon River and into Lake Superior. The lakes that were sampled all flowed either directly into Long Lake or into Wintering Lake, then Long Lake. Some lakes were only accessible by all terrain vehicles, while others were close enough to the main road that a small boat was utilized to take samples. Therefore, certain lakes were able to be tested for more parameters (Kemmerer, secchi)

2.0 Testing Protocols

Water and soil testing was performed using the appropriate quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) protocols. Equipment was routinely calibrated and care was taken to keep samples at 4°c through to shipping. The samples were analyzed by the Lakehead University Environmental Laboratory (LUEL). Test bottles were rinsed and labelled accordingly. Travel blanks, field blanks and replicates were taken. Samples to be tested for metals were preserved with nitric acid and mercury samples were preserved using hydrochloric acid. Soil samples were taken using a soil auger and were taken from the upper layer to bedrock to allow for a composite sample. These samples were placed in freezer bags and frozen before shipping (as per LUEL instructions).

Samples were tested on site or shortly after for the following parameters: Temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity and alkalinity. These samples were also sent to LUEL for a complete spectrum of testing. The results can be found on page 10.

The dissolved oxygen meter only had a 4-meter cable, therefore readings could not be taken at the bottom of lakes. In some cases, the DO was tested by placing the probe in a bottle with a bottom sample taken with the Kemmerer sampler. As well, for the bottom samples the conductivity was estimated by using a handheld TDS meter and dividing the result by 0.65. The handheld TDS meter was compared to the TDS reading on the DO meter before the trip and it was found to be similar.

3.0 Testing Sites

3.1 Dickison Lake UTM 16 – 479480 5448737 Elevation 444m

Dickison Lake is located in the Southwestern Hudson Bay primary watershed. The secondary watershed is the Kenogami. This lake flows into the Kamuk River and eventually enters Long Lake. There is a canoe route that goes from Pays Plat First Nation to Dickison Lake and eventually to Geraldton. It is a fact that community members from Pays Plat have used this canoe route to travel to Geraldton in the past.

This lake is a cool water regime. The fish species present are: white suckers, black nose shiner, northern pike, carp, and minnows. The surface area is 595.7 hectares with an average depth of 5 meters (16.4’) and a maximum depth of 36.6 meters (120.1’).

Due to the difficulty of accessing this lake, a basic pole sample was taken from shore. This site had a variety of trees and plants present including: bunchberry, sweet coltsfoot, wild strawberry, assorted ferns, black spruce and alder were dominant. There were signs of a large bear present. A hawk was also spotted at this site.

Table 1. In-Situ Results - Dickison Lake

Dissolved Alkalinity Test EC TDS Turbidity Depth Temp(c) Oxygen pH (ppm as Temp(c) (µs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (mg/l) CaCO3) surface 22.3 12.8 7.5 29.1 20.0 7.62 2.10 12 .13m 22.3 8.42 29.1 19.8

4.2 Trio Lake UTM 16 481091 5448324 Elevation 441m

Although Trio Lake was not on the original testing list, the lake was quite easy to access so it was decided to take a pole grab and test for the basic parameters (the sample was not sent into LUEL).

Trio Lake is a cool water regime with walleye present. There is no data available on the surface area or depth. Trio flows into the Little Aguasabon River and eventually into Lake Superior.

Table 2. Results- Trio Lake

Test Alkalinity (ppm Temp DO EC TDS Turbidity Depth Temp pH as CaCO3) © (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) © surface 22.3 14.0 61.0 40.0 7.2 1.12 24 24.0

4.3 Toupee Lake UTM 16 478199 5461932 Elevation 407m

Toupee Lake is located in the Southwestern Hudson Bay primary watershed and the Kenogami is the secondary watershed. Toupee Lake flows north into Wintering Lake and eventually into the Sturgeon River. It is a cool water regime with walleye and northern pike present. A boat was used to take samples at this location, enabling more precise testing. Secchi tests showed a 1.5 meter clarity level. A Kemmerer sampler was used to collect samples from the bottom of the lake. Samples that were sent to LUEL were taken from both the surface and bottom (7 meters). All terrain vehicles were used to get to this site by accessing the Statesman Road. There was a large washout at the beginning of the trail which prevents access by car or truck. The washout does not appear to impact any water ways. The flora at this site included white birch, poplar, black spruce with a variety of mosses and ferns present. Starflower and bunchberry were also in abundance. The shoreline surrounding this lake was quite sandy in places along the west side with shallow, marshy areas on the east side with cattail, sedges and bulrushes present.

Table 3. Results - Toupee Lake

Test Alkalinity Temp DO EC TDS Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp pH (ppm as © (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3) surface 24.8 17.1 8.97 72.8 46.8 7.44 1.64 1.5 20 1m 24.2 9.0 70.6 46.7 2m 23.5 9.0 69.8 46.6 3m 20.2 8.6 64.9 46.4 4m 18.8 8.7 62.9 46.3 Bottom 18.5 61.5 40 7.0 0.64 24 (7m)

4.4 Chorus Lake UTM 16 488404 5454129 Elevation 414m

Chorus Lake is located in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Primary watershed with the secondary watershed being Northeastern Lake Superior.

Chorus Lake flows into Bray Lake, then into the Little Aguasabon River – continues flowing south then ties into the Big Aguasabon River (into Lake Superior).

Chorus Lake is a cool water regime with walleye, northern pike and suckers. The surface area is 218.9 hectares (540.9 acres) with an average depth of 6 meters (19.7’) and a maximum depth of 32 meters (105’).

There was a major road washout earlier in the summer which resulted in the closure of the crossover road. The road had been repaired and reopened the day we arrived.

There is a boat launch easily accessible by truck at this landing. The shoreline is rocky with white birch, black spruce and alders present. Ground cover consisted mostly of bunchberry, starflower, ferns, and mosses.

The shoreline appeared quite rocky with steep banks in places.

Table 4. Results - Chorus Lake

Test Alkalinity Temp DO EC TDS Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp pH (ppm as © (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3)

Surface 20.7 9.07 64 45.5 3 1m 20.2 8.96 63.7 45.6 2m 20.1 8.87 63.7 45.6 3m 20.1 8.8 63.6 45.7

4m 20.0 8.8 63.5 45.7 Bottom 12.2 8.54 76.9 50 7.0 1.27 40 (15m) 7

4.5 Long Lake UTM 16 495329 5447676 Elevation 324m

Long Lake is located in the Southwestern Hudson Bay primary watershed and the secondary watershed is the Kenogami.

Long Lake is a cool water regime with Lake trout, brook trout, walleye, northern pike, lake whitefish, yellow perch, burbot, and suckers present. It has a surface area of 12820.4 ha (31679.8 acres), an average depth of 39.2 meters (128.6’) and a maximum depth of 186.1 meters (610.6’).

Due to a dam that was completed in 1939 the lake now flows south to the Aguasabon River and into Lake Superior.

The flora in the area included white birch, alders, black spruce. A few eastern white cedars were present along the shoreline. There was a boat launch access at this site which allows for easy access. It appeared well utilized, but clean.

Table 5 Results - Long Lake

Test Alkalinity Temp DO EC TDS Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp pH (ppm as © (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3) Surface 19.9 10.3 9.95 141.6 101.9 3.8 1m 19.8 9.77 141.1 101.8 2m 19.8 9.92 141.1 101.9 3m 19.6 9.87 140.5 101.8 4m 19.3 9.86 139.5 101.8 Bottom(9 15.2 7.38 153.8 100.0 7.26 2.58 60 m)

4.6 Campsite Lake UTM 16 486765 5445269 Elevation 405m

The camp we utilized for this project is located on an unnamed lake which is connected to the Little Aguasabon River. The waterway flows south into Lake Superior. The primary watershed is the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence with the secondary being Northeastern Lake Superior. The lake is a cool water regime with walleye and northern pike present. There was no data available on size or depth.

There were black spruce, eastern white cedar, white birch and alders present. Ground cover included bog laurel, sedges, bulrush, dwarf birch, bunchberry, starflower and a variety of mosses.

A washout occurred at this site about 4 years ago. At that time a road continued east with culverts to allow for access. Since it was deemed unnecessary (logging was complete) the washout was not repaired. This could cause higher turbidity levels as erosion continues to wash away the banks.

Table 6 In-situ results - Campsite Lake

Test Alkalinity Temp DO EC TDS Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp pH (ppm as © (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3) Surface 16.1 7.2 8.6 103.6 85 6.64 2.10 n/a n/a

4.7 Diversion Lake UTM 16 495492 5438541 Elevation 385m

This site is located in the Southwestern Hudson Bay primary watershed. The secondary watershed is the Kenogami.

White birch, black spruce and alders were dominant. Ground cover at this site was mostly course gravel. The Diversion Road runs parallel with this lake.

Table 7 In-situ results - Diversion Lake

Test Alkalinity Temp DO EC Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp TDS pH (ppm as © (mg/l) (μs/cm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3) Surface 14.6 7.0 9.88 125.0 100 7.01 0.90 n/a n/a

4.8 Aguasabon Lake – Below dam UTM 16 494467 5433386 Elevation 394m

Aguasabon Lake lies in the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence primary watershed. This part of the system is located in the Northeastern Lake Superior secondary watershed. The tertiary watershed is the Little Pic in which Pays Plat First Nation is located as well.

Aguasabon Lake is a cool water regime with northern pike, brook trout, small mouth bass and walleye present. There was no data available for depth or size of the water body.

There was a boat launch at this site which appeared to be well utilized. White birch, black spruce and alder were the primary trees present. Ground cover included a variety of mosses and ferns, bunchberry,

Table 8 In-situ results - Aguasabon Lake

Test Alkalinity DO EC TDS Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp © Temp pH (ppm as (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3) Surface 14.9 8.3 11.25 129.4 103 7.18 0.28 n/a n/a

4.9 Little Aguasabon River – UTM 16 485818 5438817 Elevation 418m

The Little Aguasabon River is located in the Great Lakes – Eastern Lake Superior primary watershed. The secondary watershed is the Northeastern Lake Superior. The Little Pic is the tertiary watershed, which is shared with Pays Plat First Nation.

This site had quite a variety of plant life. Joe pye weed, ninebark, mosses and ferns were abundant. White birch, black spruce and alders were present.

Table 9 In-situ results - Little Aguasabon River

Test Alkalinity DO EC TDS Turbidity Secchi Depth Temp © Temp pH (ppm as (mg/l) (μs/cm) (ppm) (NTU) (m) © CaCO3) Surface 14.2 8.6 10.84 75.9 62.1 7.2 0.76 n/a n/a

5.0 Laboratory Results

5.1 Dickison Lake Sample date: July 16, 2016

Description MDL Units Dickison Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 10.1 Conductivity .5µS/cm 26.6 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 9.1 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 13.3 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 0.25 N-NH4+NH3 0.025 mg/L

5.2 Toupee – Surface & Bottom Sample date: July 16, 2016

Toupee Toupee Description MDL Units Surface Bottom Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 28.1 29.0 Conductivity .5µS/cm 65.1 62.7 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 12.4 11.9 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 36.9 35.7 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 0.27 0.18 N-NH4+NH3 0.025 mg/L

5.3 Chorus Lake Sample date: August 23, 2016

Description MDL Units Chorus

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 30.4 Conductivity .5µS/cm 67.8 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 8.7 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 33.5 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 0.11 Nitrite NO2-N(IC) 0.009 mg/L

5.4 Long Lake & Long Lake Replicate Sample date: August 23, 2016

Long Long Lake Description MDL Units Lake Replicate Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 68.7 68.9 Conductivity .5µS/cm 154.1 153.7 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 8.7 8.6 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 77.3 77.2 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 1.56 1.6 Nitrite NO2-N(IC) 0.009 mg/L

5.5 Campsite Lake Sample date: September 28, 2016

Description MDL Units Campsite Lake

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 60.6 Conductivity .5µS/cm 130.2 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 11.2 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 65.9 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 0.27 Nitrite NO2-N(IC) 0.009 mg/L 0.133 Nitrate NO3-N(IC) 0.009mg/L

5.6 Diversion Lake Sample date: September 28, 2016

Description MDL Units Diversion Lake

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 70.2 Conductivity .5µS/cm 156.5 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 9 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 77 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 1.77 Nitrite NO2-N(IC) 0.009 mg/L 0.246 Nitrate NO3-N(IC) 0.009mg/L 0.058 Total Aluminum 0.003mg/L 0.01 Total Arsenic 0.005 mg/L

5.7 Aguasabon Lake Sample date: September 28, 2016

Big Aguasabon Description MDL Units River

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 70.6 Conductivity .5µS/cm 157.4 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 9.1 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 77.6 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 1.75 Nitrite NO2-N(IC) 0.009 mg/L 0.247 Nitrate NO3-N(IC) 0.009mg/L 0.06 Total Aluminum 0.003mg/L 0.023 Total Arsenic 0.005 mg/L

5.8 Little Aguasabon River Sample date: September 28, 2016

Small Aguasabon Description MDL Units River

Total Alkalinity as CaCO3 1.0 mg/L 43.3 Conductivity .5µS/cm 94.4 Dissolved Organic Carbon .5 mg/L 11.3 Hardness 1.0 mg/L 47.8 Chloride (IC) 0.05 mg/L 0.26 Nitrite NO2-N(IC) 0.009 mg/L 0.14 Nitrate NO3-N(IC) 0.009mg/L 0.034 Total Aluminum 0.003mg/L 0.035 Total Arsenic 0.005 mg/L

6.0 Sediment testing

Sediment samples were retrieved using a hand auger. The humic layer was removed and samples were taken to the point where the auger was stopped by bedrock or by other impenetrable objects. Composite samples were taken from the top layer to the bottom.

Sample 1 was taken at Felix Lake which was close to Chorus Lake. This was the site of the road washout earlier in the spring. The sediment appeared to be mostly fine sand and clay.

Sample 2 was retrieved at the shoreline of Aguasabon Lake. It was a mix of sand and coarse gravel.

Sample 3 was taken at Campsite Lake. It was fine sand and clay.

Table 10 Sediment Results

MDL Aguasabon Campsite Description Felix units Lake Lake % Moisture Content 0.00% 63.85 22.37 19.81 1:1 H20:Soil Ratio 1 µs/cm 90.10 73.60 186.50 0.030 Total Recoverable Aluminum µg/g 6575.18 12257.30 8765.33 Total Recoverable Arsenic 0.65 µg/g

7.0 Wildlife and Terrain changes

It has been noted that there have been some drastic changes in the wildlife population in this area. There appears to be a very large decline in the moose population in the past three years. Pelicans and cormorants have also been sited at Wintering Lake during the last three years and have never been seen before. Sandhill cranes have also been spotted at various sites along the Mill Road.

8.0 Site Map

9.0 Photos

Figure 1 Long Lake

Figure 2 Dickison Lake

Figure 3 Aguasabon Lake

Figure 4 Little Aguasabon River

Figure 5 Diversion Lake

Figure 6 Felix Lake

10.0 Conclusion

In general, the water samples that were procured appear to be within the Provincial Water Quality Standards. Although the findings from Greenstone Gold Mine’s environmental assessment indicate that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects, it is wise for Pays Plat First Nation to continue monitoring the watershed. This will ensure a continued positive working relationship between Pays Plat and Greenstone Gold Mines.