080121-08MN006-Sabina Hackett River Project Proposal ... - NIRB

Identification of Potential EnvironmentalEffects and Proposed MitigationThe key to management objectives with respect to freshwater resources in the proposed HackettRiver Project area will focus on three key principles: HADD Avoidance; No Net Loss Policy;and the Protection of Sensitive Species and Species at Risk.HADD AvoidanceSection 35(2) of the Fisheries Act (DFO, 1985) states that allowing fish habitat HADDs withoutauthorization of DFO is not permitted. Section 36 states that no one shall permit the introductionof substances deleterious to fish in waters frequented by fish.Fish habitat, as defined by the Fisheries Act, includes “the spawning grounds, nursery, rearing,food supply and migration areas on which fish depend directly or indirectly in order to carry outtheir life processes”, including both fish-bearing and non-fish-bearing waterbodies.To avoid and prevent HADDs and the introduction of deleterious substances to watercourses,and to minimize the adverse effects of any unavoidable disturbances to fish habitat, a range ofspecific and generally accepted techniques for sediment control, riparian care, site isolation,timing windows, reclamation and rehabilitation will be used.No Net Loss PolicyThe main policy objective of the Federal Government with respect to fish populations and fishhabitat is that human activities should cause no net loss of fish productive capacity in Canadianwaters. Productive capacity refers to the capability of fish habitat, including all of its physical,chemical and biological characteristics, to produce fish. In practice, productive capacity ismeasured in terms of aquatic habitat area, which includes both aquatic ecosystems and theassociated riparian areas and vegetation.Protection of Sensitive Species and Species at RiskParticular attention will be paid to fish habitat containing or supporting regionally or locallysensitive species, including any rare or endangered species or locally threatened species.Although there are no endangered or threatened fish species in the project area, there are severalfish species of local and traditional importance. Of the species identified in the project area,Arctic char, lake trout and whitefish are used for Inuit subsistence fisheries, and Arctic graylingare sought by sport anglers. Lake trout and whitefish are particularly sensitive to disturbance andenvironmental change, and as such, extreme care should be taken when working in or near theirtypical habitat.Potential EffectsSeveral effects to freshwater aquatic organisms, fish and fish habitat may arise from thedevelopment of the proposed Hackett River Project. These effects may include the loss oralteration of fish habitat and quality, and alteration to the productive capacity of fish habitat.Specifically, potential project-related impacts to freshwater aquatic organisms, fish and fishhabitat may include:• Development of the Tailings Management Facility (loss of fish habitat);January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 7–24 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)