Notice of intent to make a determination
Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation Broadband Tower Construction – Public Comments Invited
July 11, 2021 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Mishkeegogamang Ojibway Nation Broadband Tower Construction, located in Mishkeegogamang First Nation 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 submitted by [deadline for receipt of comments by August 11, 2021 to:
Aaron Pervais
Indigenous Services Canada
Aaron Pervais, Environmental Officer
100 Anemki Place, Suite 101
Fort William First Nation, Ontario P7J 1A5
Aaron.Pervais2@canada.ca

The Proposed Project
Keewaytinook Okimakanak and KNet are working with the community to build two broadband towers to provide the community with scalable broadband. Mishkeegogamang work crews will clear the tower areas and prepare the sites using heavy equipment. KNet will hire a qualified firm to build two broadband towers and install shelters and fencing. KNet will install broadband equipment in the shelters connecting to Bell and wireless equipment on the community-owned towers. KNet will install and test equipment at the shelters. Mishkeegogamang will assist with coordination and provide labour crews as needed for the tower contractors. KNet will provide training to a Mishkeegogamang technician to install and test wireless equipment on buildings in the community. Mishkeegogamang currently has wireless equipment on the Bell owned tower, however the equipment is end of life and Bell will not permit the equipment to be replaced due to tower loading restrictions. The project will build two 61 meter broadband towers. Wireless broadband will be available to the whole community from the community-owned towers. Tower Site 1: Trees will be felled and left on the ground, most of the area is already disturbed (200 square meters). Foundation dug at base of tower (already disturbed).
Tower Site 2: Trees will be felled and left on the ground 16 meters on either side of guy wires near anchor points. 250 square meters at three anchor points (770 square meters). Trees will be felled and stumps removed, foundation dug at base of tower (150 square meters). A culvert will be installed and a road will be built from Sandy Road to the tower site. Tower will be constructed on site with fencing around tower base and shelter.