Hopedale, Newfoundland and Labrador – 2024.03.13 - The Royal Canadian Mounted Police has/have determined that the proposed project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

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

• impacts that the project may have on the rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge provided with respect to the project;
• community knowledge provided with respect to the project;
• comments received from the public; and
• the mitigation measures that are technically and economically feasible and that would mitigate any significant adverse environmental effects of the project that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is satisfied with will be implemented.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination relate to:

• Soil Erosion and Sediment Control: Mitigation measures to minimize erosion and control sediment include, but are not limited to, developing an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan for site as required; catch basin protection installation for open grate manholes and curb drains, sediment surrounding the basins will be removed, and catch basins and area will be inspected after major precipitation events and storms.

• Ground Water: Mitigation measures to protect ground water quality include, but are not limited to, discharge of water into the environment must be conducted in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations; when possible, excavation work will be completed at depths above the shallow water table.
• Surface Water: Mitigation measures to protect surface water quality include, but are not limited to storm water sewers in the vicinity of excavation/construction shall be protected with filter cloth to reduce the potential of contamination entering the storm sewer; there will be no alteration or effect to surface water bodies to avoid loss to fish habitat.
• Dust: Mitigation measures to control dust include but are not limited to, covering or wetting down dry materials and rubbish to prevent blowing dust and debris; provide windbreaks to reduce blowing dust.
• Vegetation: Sites clearing or removal of vegetation including trees and brush shall not take place during breeding bird season; removal of vegetation will occur only within project footprint; clearing of riparian vegetation should be kept to a minimum: use existing trails, roads or cut lines wherever possible to avoid disturbance to the riparian vegetation and prevent soil compaction. When practicable, prune or top the vegetation instead of grubbing/uprooting.
• Migratory birds: Mitigation measures pertaining to the protection of migratory birds and their habitat include, but are not limited to contractor compliance with the Migratory Birds Convention Act (MBCA), 1994 and the Species at Risk Act (SARA); no clearing of vegetation should be undertaken during the core nesting windows established by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) for treed and open habitats in the current zone such that no damage to active nests of migratory birds protected under the MBCA will occur.
• Hazardous Substance Spills or Releases: Spill response plan to be implemented with mitigation measures that include but are not limited to: having spill kit on site, storage of substances, restricted access where required, document noting appropriate contact numbers, designated fueling and materials storage areas, and daily tail gate meetings as required.

The above list considers standard mitigation measures for each value component identified, but is not an exhaustive list of all mitigation measures that may be implemented.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is satisfied that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police 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.