Muskowekwan Project Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement July 2013 Prepared for: Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment, Environmental Assessment Branch, Regina, SK Prepared by: First Potash Ventures Muskowekwan Project Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 BACKGROUND ABOUT THE MUSKOWEKWAN PROJECT ...................................................... 1-1 1.3 REGULATORY FRAMEWORK APPLICABLE TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................................. 1-4 1.3.1 Provincial Environmental Assessment Requirements .................................................. 1-4 1.3.2 Federal Environmental Assessment Requirements ..................................................... 1-5 1.4 ORGANIZATION OF THE TERMS OF REFERENCE ................................................................. 1-6 2 SCOPE OF THE ASSESSMENT ................................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 SCOPE OF THE PROJECT ......................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE EIS ............................................................................ 2-2 2.3 MATTERS OF FEDERAL JURISDICTION ................................................................................... 2-3 3 ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT AND PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION .......... 3-1 3.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2 OVERALL OBJECTIVES .............................................................................................................. 3-1 3.3 ABORIGINAL ENGAGEMENT BY FPV ........................................................................................ 3-1 3.3.1 Approach to Aboriginal Engagement ............................................................................ 3-2 3.3.1.1 Engagement with Muskowekwan First Nation .......................................... 3-3 3.3.1.2 Engagement with Aboriginal Communities other than Muskowekwan First Nation ..................................................................... 3-11 3.3.2 Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge ............................................................................... 3-16 3.4 PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION BY FPV ....................................................... 3-17 3.4.1 Key Stakeholders Identification .................................................................................. 3-17 3.4.2 Consultation Methods ................................................................................................. 3-17 3.4.2.1 In-Person Meetings ................................................................................. 3-22 3.4.2.2 Regional Municipal Government Meetings ............................................. 3-22 3.4.2.3 Open Houses .......................................................................................... 3-22 3.4.2.4 Information Materials and Sources ......................................................... 3-22 3.4.2.5 Tracking and Documentation .................................................................. 3-22 3.4.2.6 Key Milestones for Public Consultation ................................................... 3-23 3.4.3 Issues Raised by the Public and Stakeholders .......................................................... 3-23 3.5 CONSULTATION BY GOVERNMENT ....................................................................................... 3-26 3.5.1 Aboriginal Consultation ............................................................................................... 3-26 3.5.2 Public Participation in the EA ...................................................................................... 3-27 4 SCOPE OF FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THE EIS ........................................................ 4-1 4.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................. 4-1 4.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ............................................................................................. 4-1 4.2.1 Project Purpose and Rationale ..................................................................................... 4-1 4.2.2 Description of the Proponent ........................................................................................ 4-1 4.2.3 Location of the Project .................................................................................................. 4-1 4.2.4 Regulatory Framework ................................................................................................. 4-2 4.2.5 Project Alternatives ....................................................................................................... 4-2 4.2.5.1 Mining Method ........................................................................................... 4-2 i Muskowekwan Project Terms of Reference for the Environmental Impact Statement Table of Contents 4.2.5.2 Plant Location ............................................................................................ 4-3 4.2.5.3 Processing ................................................................................................. 4-3 4.2.5.4 Raw Water Supply..................................................................................... 4-3 4.2.5.5 Power Options ........................................................................................... 4-4 4.2.5.6 Railway ...................................................................................................... 4-4 4.2.5.7 Well Field Pipelines and Services ............................................................. 4-4 4.2.5.8 Tailings Disposal ....................................................................................... 4-4 4.2.6 Environmental Management Framework ...................................................................... 4-5 4.2.6.1 Impact Mitigation and Monitoring .............................................................. 4-5 4.2.6.2 Conditions Management ........................................................................... 4-6 4.2.7 Project Components ..................................................................................................... 4-6 4.2.7.1 Major Facilities .......................................................................................... 4-6 4.2.7.2 Ancillary Facilities ...................................................................................... 4-6 4.2.8 Activities by Project Phase ........................................................................................... 4-7 4.2.8.1 Construction .............................................................................................. 4-7 4.2.8.2 Operation ................................................................................................... 4-7 4.2.8.3 Decommissioning, Reclamation, and Institutional Control ........................ 4-7 4.2.9 Benefits of the Project ................................................................................................... 4-8 4.3 ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ...................................................................... 4-8 4.3.1 Environmental Assessment Methodological Framework .............................................. 4-8 4.3.1.1 Overview of Approach ............................................................................... 4-9 4.3.1.2 Selection of Valued Environmental Components .................................... 4-14 4.3.2 Description of the Existing Environment ..................................................................... 4-16 4.3.3 Atmospheric Environment ........................................................................................... 4-17 4.3.3.1 Definition of Atmospheric Environment ................................................... 4-17 4.3.3.2 Potential Project-VEC Interactions .......................................................... 4-17 4.3.3.3 Boundaries .............................................................................................. 4-18 4.3.3.4 Significance Criteria ................................................................................ 4-19 4.3.3.5 Characterization of Existing Conditions .................................................. 4-20 4.3.3.6 Environmental Effects Analyses .............................................................. 4-21 4.3.4 Water Resources ........................................................................................................ 4-22 4.3.4.1 Definition of Water Resources ................................................................ 4-22 4.3.4.2 Potential Project-VEC Interactions .......................................................... 4-23 4.3.4.3 Boundaries .............................................................................................. 4-23 4.3.4.4 Significance Criteria ................................................................................ 4-24 4.3.4.5 Characterization of Existing Conditions .................................................