Rehabilitation of the Whitefish Bay Water Distribution System

This project entails the replacement of aged and undersized watermain in Lac Seul First Nation to meet current water demands and fire protection, in accordance with current regulations and standards. The existing 50mm watermain is significantly undersized and is insufficient and poses a significant health and safety risk to the community.

Specifically, the infrastructure upgrades to be completed include: 

• Replacement of the aged and undersized 50mm watermain, with the properly sized 150mm watermain.

• Replacement of the aged an undersized and waterline (lake crossing).

• Reconnection of existing water services to existing homes and buildings; and

• Supply and installation of two (2) upgraded high lift pumps.

The work will require excavation and removal of the existing small diameter watermain within the community and for the lake crossing (in water works). In water works will include utilizing a floating barge for settling the watermain on the lake floor and the use of siltation currents around the barge and watermain route area.  All in water works will be completed outside of the fisheries concern windows to be determined in consultation with MNR and DFO, but generally from approximately June 15th to September 15th or during the winter season through the ice.

The project requires vegetation clearing - the construction work is planned to occur during summer months and will consider the migration, nesting, spawning etc,  timelines of local species, including species at risk. Notably at the time of completing this form, no known species at risk are known in the project location, or adjacent to the project location.

All work is being completed within Lac Seul First Nation Lands, and is the replacement of existing watermain infrastructure (i.e. no new expansion into undeveloped areas).

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Latest update

Notice of Determination 

 

2024-01-29 - Infrastructure Canada has determined the proposed Rehabilitation of the Whitefish Bay Water Distribution System (Project) is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

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

  • Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
  • relevant potential environmental effects;
  • comments received from the public; and
  • technically and economically feasible mitigation measures. 

Mitigation and monitoring measures taken into account for this determination included active and adaptive management measures that would be implemented for the protection of the local environment. Based on the consideration of these measures, Infrastructure Canada is satisfied that the carrying out of the Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

Therefore, Infrastructure 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. .

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Contacts

Infrastructure Canada
Taslema Khan, Indigenous Consultation and Environmental Assessment Officer
Telephone: 343-551-0416
Email: taslema.khan@infc.gc.ca


  • Location

    • Project Area (Ontario)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Water Management

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2022-08-22

  • Proponent

    Lac Seul First Nation

  • Authorities

    • Infrastructure Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    84267
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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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