Feasibility Study and Technical Report - Pretivm

allow for the identification of areas where project modification may limit negativeimpacts.WILDLIFEThe region encompassing the proposed Project is home to many terrestrial and aquaticwildlife species including black and grizzly bears, mountain goats, moose, bats,furbearers, small mammals, birds of prey, migratory songbirds, waterfowl, and herptiles.These include several species at risk as well as species of substantial cultural andeconomic importance. Pretivm will evaluate the potential impacts on representativespecies that are identified as being at risk or of concern within the area. Wildlife baselinestudies have been conducted for the Project in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Species at riskthat were encountered during baseline studies include wolverine, fisher, grizzly bear,western toad, barn swallow, rusty blackbird, olive sided fly catcher, and little brownmyotis.Species of concern include those that may not be of conservation concern but are ofregional importance for other reasons identified in the Cassiar Iskut-Stikine LRMP suchas moose, mountain goat, black bear, American marten, harlequin duck, and trumpeterswan. Grizzly bears and black bears have been observed close to the Project study areaand will use a wide range of forage producing habitats. Moose are known to occupy andbe harvested along low elevation areas associated with the larger river valleys. Mountaingoats occur throughout the mountainous terrain of the Project area.Bats, including the at-risk little brown myotis, are known to use suitable habitat in theProject area. A range of birds, including waterbirds, terrestrial breeding birds, andraptors, occupy a wide range of niches from high alpine areas to valley bottoms. Finally,the low elevation wetlands support herptiles including the at-risk western toad.Documenting numbers and distribution for representative species or groups haveincluded a range of survey methods adhering to appropriate provincial standards,including those used for aerial surveys. A selection of key habitats for important speciesare currently being mapped using provincial standards to inventory sensitive areasacross the Project area in support of an EA for the Project.FISHERIESThe Unuk River is a large river system that provides important habitat for the five speciesof Pacific salmon, as well as habitat for resident trout (cutthroat, rainbow), and residentDolly Varden. The Bell-Irving River system provides habitat for:• sockeye, coho, and chinook salmon• resident and anadromous trout (rainbow and steelhead)• resident char (Dolly Varden and bull trout)• mountain whitefish• coarse fish species.Pretium Resources Inc. 20-7 1291990200-REP-R0012-02Feasibility Study and Technical Report on the BrucejackProject, Stewart, BC