Public Notice

Bunibonibee Cree Nation - Remediation of Former Wastewater Treatment Plant Project – Public Comments Invited

January 13, 2025 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Remediation of Former Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in Bunibonibee Cree 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. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by February 12, 2025, to:

Tebesi Mosala
Indigenous Services Canada
Tebesi Mosala, Senior Environmental Specialist
200-365 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3C 4H4
Telephone: 204-984-0711
Fax: 204-983-2936
Email: tebesi.mosala@canada.ca

The Proposed Project

There is minimal new infrastructure needed for the project. Fuel will be sourced from the existing Band tankfarm, 1 km south of the Site and delivered via refueling trucks to a designated staging area at least 100 m for Oxford Lake. Non-local workers are anticipated to be housed at the existing construction camp(s) in the community, which have capacity. Utility lines are not expected to be installed. There is no new construction or permanent infrastructure required for the project. A temporary workpad will be constructed in Oxford Lake and temporary erosion and sediment control measures will be installed (silt fence and turbidity curtain).

Existing infrastructure consists of the former WWTP building and remaining subsurface pumphouse infrastructure (foundation, underground storage tanks, etc.) which will be dismantled, excavated, and removed from the Site, with disposal at the community landfill. Existing underground utilities (such as abandoned water and sewage lines) will also be removed and capped at the extent of the excavation footprint. Existing water intakes and an outfall line resting on the bed of Oxford Lake will be removed by pulling from shore. The remedial works are approximately 40 m from an existing residential triplex. Temporary relocation of residents during the project has been recommended.