KEMESS UNDERGROUND PROJECT ASSESSMENT REPORT With respect to: the Application by AuRico Metals Inc. for an Environmental Assessment Certificate pursuant to the Environmental Assessment Act, S.B.C. 2002, c.43 and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, S.C. 2012 c. 19, as a Substituted Environmental Assessment Prepared by: Environmental Assessment Office Feburary 16, 2017 1 Table of Contents Executive Summary .................................................................................................... 18 PART A – INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND ...................................................... 24 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 24 1.1 Purpose of the Assessment Report .................................................................. 24 1.2 Project Overview .............................................................................................. 25 1.2.1 Proponent Description ............................................................................... 25 1.2.2 Project Location ......................................................................................... 25 1.2.3 Project Description .................................................................................... 28 1.2.4 Alternative Means of Undertaking the KUG Project ................................... 31 2. Overview of the Environmental Assessment Process and Outcomes .................... 37 2.1 Public Consultation .......................................................................................... 38 2.2 Assessed VCs .................................................................................................. 42 2.3 Issue Summary ................................................................................................ 44 EAO predicts that the KUG Project could cause residual effects to Aboriginal peoples through changes to the environment. The following impacts are predicted: .............. 53 PART B – ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL EFFECTS, MITIGATION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF RESIDUAL EFFECTS .................................................................. 55 3. Assessment of Environmental Effects .................................................................... 55 3.1 Air Quality......................................................................................................... 55 3.1.1 Background ............................................................................................... 55 3.1.2 Discussion of Issues .................................................................................. 59 3.2 Climate Change ............................................................................................... 62 3.2.1 Background ............................................................................................... 62 3.2.2 Discussion of Issues .................................................................................. 65 3.2.3 Analysis and Conclusions .......................................................................... 66 3.2.4 Cumulative Effects ..................................................................................... 67 3.2.5 Conclusions ............................................................................................... 67 3.3 Water ............................................................................................................... 68 3.3.1 Background ............................................................................................... 68 2 3.3.2 Discussion of Issues .................................................................................. 93 3.3.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 106 3.4 Fish and Aquatic Habitat ................................................................................ 116 3.4.1 Background ............................................................................................. 116 3.4.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 128 3.4.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 130 3.5 Wildlife ........................................................................................................... 140 3.5.1 Background ............................................................................................. 140 3.5.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 153 3.5.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 171 3.6 The Terrestrial Environment: Terrain and Soils and Terrestrial Ecology ........ 183 3.6.1 Background ............................................................................................. 183 3.6.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 189 3.6.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 191 4. Assessment of Socioeconomic Effects ................................................................. 199 4.1.1 Background ............................................................................................. 199 4.1.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 204 4.1.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 208 5. Assessment of Human Health Effects .................................................................. 213 5.1.1 Background ............................................................................................. 213 5.1.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 221 5.1.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 229 6. Assessment of Heritage Effects ............................................................................ 230 6.1.1 Background ............................................................................................. 230 6.1.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 233 6.1.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 233 7. Accidents and Malfunctions .................................................................................. 234 7.1.1 Background ............................................................................................. 234 7.1.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 239 7.1.3 Analysis and Conclusions ........................................................................ 246 8. Effects of the Environment on the Project ............................................................. 262 3 8.1.1 Background ............................................................................................. 262 8.1.2 Discussion of Issues ................................................................................ 266 9. Summary of Environmental Management Plans ................................................... 267 9.1 Sustainability Management System ............................................................... 267 9.2 Access Management Plan ............................................................................. 267 9.3 Air Quality Management Plan ......................................................................... 268 9.4 Ecosystems Management Plan ...................................................................... 269 9.5 Emergency Response Plan ............................................................................ 269 9.6 Environmental Emergency, Spill, and Hazardous Materials Plan................... 269 9.7 Fish and Aquatic Effects Monitoring Plan ....................................................... 270 9.8 Groundwater Monitoring Plan......................................................................... 270 9.9 Heritage Management Plan............................................................................ 271 9.10 Invasive Plant Management Plan ................................................................... 271 9.11 Mine Waste, Tailings, and ML/ARD Management Plan ................................. 272 9.12 Occupational Health and Safety Plan ............................................................. 272 9.13 Soil Handling Management Plan .................................................................... 272 9.14 Subsidence Effects and Terrain Monitoring Plan ........................................... 272 9.15 Surface Erosion and Sediment Control Plan .................................................. 273 9.16 Surface Water Management Plan .................................................................. 273 9.17 Waste Management Plan ............................................................................... 273 9.18 Water Treatment Plan .................................................................................... 274 9.19 Wildlife Management and Monitoring Plan ..................................................... 274 9.20 Reclamation and Closure Plan ....................................................................... 274 9.21 Construction Environmental Management Plan ............................................. 275 9.22 Accidents and Malfunctions