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

Identification of Potential EnvironmentalEffects and Proposed MitigationAccidents and malfunctions could potentially cause the spillage of concentrate and/or fuel intomarine waters. Concentrate could more likely settle onto marine sediments, causing elevatedmetal concentrations. Fuel would likely remain on top of or within the water column to a largeextent, but could affect marine sediments along the shoreline.Proposed MitigationThe same mitigation measures used to control dust and fugitive dust from concentrate storageand handling for marine water quality will also minimize the potential effects on marinesediment quality.For vehicle fuel handling, the same mitigation measures used at the mine site will be used at theport site.For potential accidental spills from ships (fuel or concentrate), the mitigation measures proposedto protect marine waters would also help minimize the effects on marine sediments. Shallowsediments along the shoreline could be potentially affected by accidental fuel spills, and therequired materials needed to respond to and contain a fuel spill will be on site. Spills would beisolated and contained in accordance with a Spill Response Plan.7.3.3.5 Marine Aquatic Organisms, Fish, and HabitatThe same principles that apply to avoiding and mitigating potential impacts to freshwaterorganisms, fish, and habitat are applicable to marine organisms, fish and habitat.Potential EffectsPotential project-related impacts to marine aquatic organisms, fish, and habitat include:• Noise from concentrate loading and vessel traffic (physical, biological and/or behavioralchanges to fish);• Dust-generating activities (e.g., construction, road use) (potential sedimentation andsmothering of benthos and fish eggs, leading to a decrease in productive capacity of fishhabitat)• Fugitive dust from transferring concentrate to ship (high metals-potential forcontamination of aquatic organisms and a reduction in quality of fish habitat)• Fuel transport and handling (hydrocarbons-potential for contamination of aquaticorganisms and a reduction in quality of fish habitat )• Accidents and malfunctions-concentrate or fuel spills (potential for contamination ofaquatic organisms and a reduction in quality of fish habitat )• Ballast water discharges (poor quality water, potential for foreign aquatic organisms andinvasive species)Noise levels could potentially affect the movement of fish (e.g., avoidance), and if loud enough,could potentially affect fish health.January 2008 Hackett River Project – Project Proposal Sabina Silver CorporationReport Version B.1 7–30 Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. (Proj. #833-2)