Notice determination

August 4, 2020 – Indigenous Services Canada has determined that the proposed Nipissing First Nation - Upgrades and Expansion of Garden Village Water Treatment Plant is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

The determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• The proposed expansion and upgrading of the water treatment plant will have a net positive benefit to the people being serviced by this treatment plant. Given the high amounts of Trihalomethanes present in the drinking water, these plant upgrades are necessary to ensure adequate access to clean drinking water for community members and;
• The expansion of a water treatment plant is a relatively straightforward process with known outcomes from prior engineering studies completed on water treatment plants. It is therefore assumed that the expansion of the current plant is a relatively low risk process from an engineering standpoint and;
• It is recognized that Nipissing First Nation is active under the First Nations Land Management Agreement. As such, it is recognized that Nipissing First Nation has an adequate review process in place to determine environmental effects of the project.

Implementation of mitigation measures is required for the project to address:

• Potential species at risk which may be found in the area and;
• Any excess waste which will be generated from this project and;
• Tree clearing to ensure that migratory bird species will not be impacted by the project.

Indigenous Services Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Indigenous Services Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.