Notice of Intent to Make a determination

Aggregate Business Development Plan – Phase 2, Sturgeon Lake First Nation I.R. 101 - Public Comments Invited

November 21, 2019 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Aggregate Business Development Plan – Phase 2, Sturgeon Lake First Nation I.R. 101, located in Sturgeon Lake IR 101 is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submittted by December 20, 2019 to:

Indigenous Services Canada

1827 Albert St, Regina, SK, S4P 2S9

hilary.hunter@canada.ca

The Proposed Project

The development of a commercial aggregate business was identified as a key economic development goal for Sturgeon Lake First Nation (SLFN).  Phase 1 of the Aggregate Development Plan centered around gaining an understanding of the quality and quantity of SLFN's aggregate resources.  This phase included performing soil sampling and laboratory analysis in order to determine the volume of various aggregate types that were present, such as sand, road gravel and cobblestone.  Additionally, several sites were considered to provide space to sort and stockpile various aggregate types for sale into the open market should SLFN proceed with an aggregate business. 

As part of Phase 1, three (3) sites were tested for their ability to sustain a commercial level of aggregate extraction activity located south of Sturgeon Lake and Sturgeon Lake Road.  Of the three (3) sites that were tested, only two (2) proved capable of sustaining a commercial level of gravel extraction; Test Site 1 (herein referred to as Site 1) and Test Site 2 (herein referred to as Site 2).  Considering the promising results from Phase 1, SLFN requested Urban Systems Ltd.  proceed with Phase 2 of the plan.  Phase 2 of the plan consists of exploring the feasibility of a commercial aggregate business based on the findings of Phase 1.  The proposed SLFN IR #101 development consists of two (2) parcels, approximately 8.32 hectares (20.52 acres) in area, that proved capable of sustaining commercial aggregate extraction; and, a parcel approximately 8.97 hectares (22.16 acres) in area for processing and stockpiling.

The proposed development consists of a commercial level of gravel extraction at two sites and the processing and stockpiling of aggregate resources at a separate site.  There is currently no infrastructure present at the sites.  The sites will be accessed using existing roads, where possible.  The processing/stockpiling site will be serviced by overhead power lines if required; otherwise, self-contained power generation units will be leveraged as is common with aggregate processing in the marketplace.

Document Reference Number: 1

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