Bearskin Lake - Flood Emergency, Road Repair Assessment and Design - Moose River and Riverside Creek - Public Comments Invited

In November 2019, Bearskin Lake First Nation (BLFN) experienced a rare flood emergency in the community. Ice jamming at White Sands Rapids to the east of the community caused Michikan Lake levels to rise significantly resulting in damage to roads within the community. The damage restricted movements within the community and resulted in a state of emergency requiring evacuations that lasted approximately three weeks. The structural integrity of the roads and crossings were significantly impacted. Multiple areas were affected. Two (2) of the affected areas are described within this Project, as follows:

1) Moose River Crossing – During the flood event one culvert washed out and a substantial amount of material eroded from the road bed. The culvert was replaced and temporary repairs were made which enabled the crossing to accommodate a single lane of traffic. The affected area is approximately 225 m long. Required work at this location includes raising the road surface elevation to 226.5 m by placement of local gravel fill followed by appropriate granular material (granular A, granular M) for road topping. Additionally, a geotextile and rip rap protection will be placed around the two existing culverts to protect against future erosion.

2) Riverside Creek Crossing – During the flood event the road was overtopped at this creek crossing. As an emergency measure a 230 m segment of the roadway was temporarily built up to accommodate traffic. Required work at this location includes permanent raising the road surface elevation to 226.5 m by placement of local gravel fill followed by appropriate granular material (granular A, granular M) for road topping.  Additionally, the two existing culverts (500 mm and 750 mm diameter) will be removed and replaced with two new 1,000 mm diameter CSP culverts. A synthetic liner and rip rap protection will be placed around the new culverts to protect against future erosion.

While the proposed work can be completed in accordance with the Fisheries Act and therefore it is unlikely that Authorization will be required by DFO, a Request for Review will be submitted as work will occur near or below the ordinary high water mark.

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Latest update

May 10, 2021 – Indigenous Services Canada issued its notice of determination https://www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/evaluations/document/139011 and determined that the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. .

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Contacts

Indigenous Services Canada - Ontario
Julieta Werner, Sr. Environment Officer
100 Anemki Place, Suite 101
Fort William First Nation, Ontario P7J 1A5
Telephone: 807-355-1196
Email: julieta.werner@canada.ca


  • Location

    • Bearskin Lake First Nation (Ontario)
    • Bearskin Lake First Nation (Ontario)
  • Nature of Activity

    • Highways and Roads
  • Assessment Status

    Completed
  • Start Date

    2021-01-07
  • Proponent

    Bearskin Lake First Nation
  • Authorities

    • Indigenous Services Canada
  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands
  • Reference Number

    81271
Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

 

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...within 200 kilometres
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