GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 Project 6 – All-Season Road Linking Manto Sipi Cree Nation, Bunibonibee Cree Nation and God’s Lake First Nation Manitoba Infrastructure Version 2: September 2017 TABLE OF CONTENTS GUIDELINES FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ................................ I DISCLAIMER ............................................................................................................................................ IV ABBREVIATIONS AND SHORT FORMS ................................................................................................................. 1 PART 1 - KEY CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 2 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 2 2. GUIDING PRINCIPLES ......................................................................................................................... 2 2.1. Environmental assessment as a planning and decision making tool ................................................ 2 2.2. Public participation ........................................................................................................................... 2 2.3. Engagement with Indigenous groups ................................................................................................ 3 2.4. Application of the precautionary approach ...................................................................................... 3 3. SCOPE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ................................................................................. 3 3.1. Designated project ............................................................................................................................ 3 3.2. Factors to be considered ................................................................................................................... 4 3.2.1. Changes to the environment ..................................................................................................... 4 3.2.2. Valued components to be examined ......................................................................................... 5 3.2.3. Spatial and temporal boundaries ............................................................................................... 6 4. PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ....................... 6 4.1. Guidance ........................................................................................................................................... 6 4.2. Use of information ............................................................................................................................ 7 4.2.1. Government expert advice ........................................................................................................ 7 4.2.2. Community knowledge and Aboriginal traditional knowledge ................................................. 7 4.2.3. Existing information ................................................................................................................... 7 4.2.4. Confidential information ............................................................................................................ 8 4.3. Study strategy and methodology ...................................................................................................... 8 4.4. Presentation and organization of the environmental impact statement ....................................... 10 4.5. Summary of the environmental impact statement ........................................................................ 11 PART 2 – CONTENT OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT......................................................................... 12 1. INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................... 12 1.1. The proponent ................................................................................................................................ 12 1.2. Project Overview ............................................................................................................................. 12 1.3. Project Location .............................................................................................................................. 12 1.4. Regulatory framework and the role of government ....................................................................... 13 2. PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED ............................................................ 13 2.1. Purpose of the project .................................................................................................................... 13 2.2. Alternative means of carrying out the project ................................................................................ 13 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION .................................................................................................................... 14 3.1. Project components ........................................................................................................................ 14 3.2. Project activities .............................................................................................................................. 14 3.2.1. Site preparation and construction ........................................................................................... 15 3.2.2. Operation ................................................................................................................................. 15 4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND CONCERNS ......................................................................................... 16 Guidelines for the Preparation of the Environmental Impact Statement ii 5. ENGAGEMENT WITH INDIGENOUS GROUPS AND CONCERNS RAISED ............................................. 16 5.1. Indigenous groups and engagement activities ............................................................................... 18 6. EFFECTS ASSESSMENT ..................................................................................................................... 19 6.1. Project setting and baseline conditions .......................................................................................... 20 6.1.1. Atmospheric Environment ....................................................................................................... 20 6.1.2. Geology and geochemistry ...................................................................................................... 20 6.1.3. Topography and soil ................................................................................................................. 21 6.1.4. Riparian, Wetland and Terrestrial Environments .................................................................... 21 6.1.5. Groundwater and Surface Water ............................................................................................. 22 6.1.6. Fish and fish habitat ................................................................................................................. 22 6.1.7. Migratory birds and their habitat ............................................................................................ 23 6.1.8. Species at Risk .......................................................................................................................... 24 6.1.9. Indigenous peoples .................................................................................................................. 24 6.1.10. Other changes to the environment arising as a result of a federal decision or due to changes on federal lands, in another province or outside Canada ...................................................................... 26 6.1.11. Human environment ................................................................................................................ 26 6.2. Predicted changes to the physical environment ............................................................................. 26 6.2.1. Changes to the atmospheric environment .............................................................................. 27 6.2.2. Changes to groundwater and surface water ........................................................................... 27 6.2.3. Changes to riparian, wetland and terrestrial environments .................................................... 28 6.3. Predicted effects on valued components ....................................................................................... 28 6.3.1. Fish and fish habitat ................................................................................................................. 28 6.3.2. Migratory birds ........................................................................................................................ 29 6.3.3. Species at risk ........................................................................................................................... 29 6.3.4. Indigenous peoples .................................................................................................................. 29 6.3.5. Other valued components that may be affected as a result of a federal decision or due to effects on federal lands, another province or outside Canada .............................................................