Notice of determination

October 8, 2021 – Indigenous Services Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada have determined that the proposed Nipissing First Nation – New Road Development: Yellek to Duchesnay Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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

• The new roadway will provide Nipissing First Nation with a safer route of travel between the communities of Yellek and Duchesnay, resulting in an increased measure of safety for the community members living in the area.
• Mitigation measures and adaptive management will be implemented during construction to ensure the protection of the environment and safety of members of the community. 

Implementation of mitigation measures is required for the project to lesson or avoid potential adverse effects to:

• Human health;
• Air quality and noise;
• Vegetation;
• Wildlife and habitat, including Species at Risk and Migratory Birds; and
  • Note that Environment and Climate Change Canada will issue a Species at Risk Act permit for Eastern Hog-nosed Snake and Blanding' Turtle that will detail mitigation and avoidance measures that minimize impacts to those species and their habitat.
• Surface Water Quality.

Based on the consideration of these measures, Indigenous Services Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada are satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Indigenous Services Canada and Environment and Climate Change 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.