Phase 1 Desktop Assessment Environment Report ENGLISH RIVER FIRST NATION, SASKATCHEWAN APM-REP-06144-0042 NOVEMBER 2013 This report has been prepared under contract to the NWMO. The report has been reviewed by the NWMO, but the views and conclusions are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the NWMO. All copyright and intellectual property rights belong to the NWMO. For more information, please contact: Nuclear Waste Management Organization 22 St. Clair Avenue East, Sixth Floor Toronto, Ontario M4T 2S3 Canada Tel 416.934.9814 Toll Free 1.866.249.6966 Email [email protected] www.nwmo.ca November 2013 PHASE 1 DESKTOP ASSESSMENT Environment Report English River First Nation, Saskatchewan Submitted to: Nuclear Waste Management Organization 22 St. Clair Avenue East, 6th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4T 2S3 Report No: 12-1152-0026 (4006) NWMO Report No: APM-REP-06144-0042 Distribution: REPORT pdf Copy - NWMO pdf Copy - Golder Associates Ltd. ENVIRONMENT REPORT - ENGLISH RIVER FIRST NATION, SASKATCHEWAN Table of Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 1 2.0 COMMUNITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE ...................................................................................................................... 3 2.1 Communities ........................................................................................................................................................ 3 2.2 Infrastructure........................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.3 Protected Areas ................................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3.1 Parks and Reserves ....................................................................................................................................... 5 2.3.2 Heritage Sites ................................................................................................................................................ 5 2.4 Land Use ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT ........................................................................................................................ 7 3.1 Physiography ....................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2 Geology ............................................................................................................................................................... 7 3.2.1 Bedrock Geology............................................................................................................................................ 7 3.2.2 Quaternary Geology ....................................................................................................................................... 8 3.3 Natural Environment ............................................................................................................................................ 8 3.3.1 Natural Environment Overview ...................................................................................................................... 8 3.3.2 Natural Areas ................................................................................................................................................. 8 3.3.3 Terrestrial Features and Wildlife .................................................................................................................... 9 3.3.4 Aquatic Features and Fish ............................................................................................................................. 9 3.3.5 Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species ............................................................................. 10 3.3.6 First Nations and Métis Interests and Traditional Knowledge ...................................................................... 12 3.4 Background Environmental Conditions .............................................................................................................. 12 3.4.1 Air Quality .................................................................................................................................................... 12 3.4.2 Background Radiation .................................................................................................................................. 12 3.4.3 Soil Quality ................................................................................................................................................... 13 3.4.4 Water Quality ............................................................................................................................................... 13 3.4.5 Lake Sediment Chemistry ............................................................................................................................ 13 3.4.6 Potential Sources of Pollutants .................................................................................................................... 13 3.5 Surface Water Hydrology ................................................................................................................................... 14 November 2013 Report No. 12-1152-0026 (4006) APM-REP-06144-0042 i ENVIRONMENT REPORT - ENGLISH RIVER FIRST NATION, SASKATCHEWAN 3.6 Groundwater and Wells ..................................................................................................................................... 14 3.6.1 Overburden Aquifers .................................................................................................................................... 14 3.6.2 Bedrock Aquifers .......................................................................................................................................... 15 3.7 Climate and Meteorology ................................................................................................................................... 15 3.7.1 Temperature ................................................................................................................................................ 15 3.7.2 Precipitation ................................................................................................................................................. 16 3.7.3 Wind ............................................................................................................................................................. 16 3.8 Natural Hazards ................................................................................................................................................. 16 3.8.1 Earthquakes and Seismicity ......................................................................................................................... 16 3.8.2 Tornadoes and Hurricanes ........................................................................................................................... 16 3.8.3 Drought and Flooding ................................................................................................................................... 16 3.8.4 Snow and Ice ............................................................................................................................................... 17 3.8.5 Forest Fires and Lightning ........................................................................................................................... 17 3.8.6 Landslides and Tsunamis ............................................................................................................................ 17 4.0 SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................................................... 19 5.0 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................................ 21 TABLES Table 1: Population Statistics for the ERFN Area ....................................................................................................................... 4 Table 2: Potential Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species in the ERFN Area ................................................ 11 Table 3: NPRI Regional Sources of Air Emissions ................................................................................................................... 12 Table 4: Landfills in the English River First Nation Area .......................................................................................................... 13 Table 5: Monthly Wind Normals for Cree Lake, Saskatchewan ............................................................................................... 16 FIGURES (IN ORDER FOLLOWING TEXT) Figure 1: English River First Nation and Surrounding Lands Figure 2: Satellite Imagery of the English River First Nation Area Figure 3: English River First Nation Area Land Ownership Figure 4: English River First Nation – Parks and Protected Lands Figure 5: English River First Nation – Crown Forest Areas Figure 6: Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the English