© Hatch 2012/10

Appendix D6 Big Falls Island – Field Survey to Assess Woodland Caribou Usage

(Hatch, 2011g)

327203.101.02, Rev. 0, Page 1

© Hatch 2011/02

Internal Memo

January 28, 2011 TO: Larry King FROM: Caleb Coughlin cc: K. McGhee, Horizon Hydro Inc.

Horizon Hydro Inc. Trout Lake River Hydro Project

Big Falls Island - Field Survey to Assess Woodland Caribou Usage

1. Introduction Horizon Hydro (Horizon) is proposing to construct a 3-5 MW hydro project at Big Falls on Trout Lake River within the unorganized Township of Gerry in northern Ontario. The closest communities to the project area are Ear Falls, located approximately 30 km to the south, and Red Lake, located approximately 50 km to the northwest. Whitefish Falls and The Chutes are the adjacent significant gradient changes in the river, being located downstream and upstream, respectively (Figure 1.1). Trout Lake River is approximately 47 km long, and flows from Little Trout Lake, through Bruce Lake and finally into Pakwash Lake. Pakwash Lake then flows into Lac Seul, which is part of the English River drainage basin. The catchment area upstream from Big Falls is approximately 2370 km2. Trout Lake River splits into a north and south channel at Big Falls, creating Big Falls Island in the middle (Figure 1.2).

Hatch initiated engineering and environmental work for Horizon in 2007 and undertook background data collection and a series of field investigations to establish baseline environmental and social characteristics within the project area. A preliminary draft of the Environmental Screening Report was prepared (dated October 2009) and provided to Horizon in April 2010 with the proviso that the report was not suitable for public release. The report was provided to regulatory agencies prior to a meeting on June 10, 2010. Based on the discussion at that meeting, a series of additional investigations were developed to provide the required information to allow the project effects assessment to move forward. MNR Red Lake had indicated that evidence of woodland caribou usage had been found on the island between the two channels of Big Falls. This memorandum presents the methodology and results from the field investigations undertaken at Big Falls Island to assess woodland caribou usage of that area.

2. Methodology Investigations of the island were undertaken on two separate occasions in 2010 by Hatch staff. The first investigation was performed on August 29, 2010 by Caleb Coughlin (Fish and Wildlife Technologist) and Levi Snook (Environmental Scientist). The investigation consisted of a search of the island to find any droppings, tracks, hair, bones or shed antlers. The search was carried out in a grid-like pattern until all areas of the island had been observed/assessed. Any wildlife trails or

327203.101.02, Rev. 0, Page 2

© Hatch 2011/02

recently traveled routes were followed in an attempt to assess what species was the origin of the trail. The location of any findings of interest were recorded by GPS and photographed. The second investigation took place on October 3, 2010 by Hatch employees Zack O’Krafka (Fish and Wildlife Technologist) and Levi Snook (Environmental Scientist). This investigation followed the same procedures as employed during August 2010.

3. Results The island is approximately 2.8 ha in size and is completely forested, with the dominant species being Black Spruce (Figure 3.1). Shallow soils and constant moisture provided by the misting action of the surrounding falls provides the perfect growing condition for sphagnum mosses, which dominate the ground cover (Figure 3.2). Steep slopes originate from the centre of the island and continue to the water’s edge on the north, east and south slopes, while the western side was found to have a more gradual slope.

Figure 3.2 View of the Northern Portion of the Island Looking Southeast (see Figure 3.1)

The August 29, 2010 investigation was approximately 3 hours in duration, and found a number of faint, unidentified hoof track compressions in the moss. These tracks led a single pile of ungulate droppings, which were photographed (Figure 3.3) and a sample retained. These droppings were compared to known ungulates in the area and confirmed to be White-tailed deer. A small honeycomb nest had been excavated from the moss indicating that the island is utilized by other animals. No evidence of Woodland Caribou was found.

327203.101.02, Rev. 0, Page 3

© Hatch 2011/02

Figure 3.3 Ungulate Dropping on Southeast Side of Island (see Figure 3.1 for Location)

The October investigation was 2 hours in duration and resulted in observations of similar faint hoof track compressions in the moss. No other droppings or signs of habitat utilization by any species were noted. Investigators did observe three white-tailed deer swimming across the main channel of the river just downstream of the island, landing on the south shore approximately 150 m downstream from the island (see Figure 3.1).

4. Summary As follow-up to MNR’s observations of usage of the Big Falls Island by Woodland Caribou, two surveys of the island were made during the summer and fall 2010 in conjunction with other site activities. The two site visits resulted in no confirmed or potential indications of woodland caribou usage of the area.

CC:sg

Attachment(s)

H/3

2720

3_rm

Source: Red Lake Touring Region Adventure Guide

N

Figure 1.1Horizon Hydro Inc.

Trout Lake Hydroelectric ProjectProject Location

Project Site

���

����

��

���

����

�

��������� ��� ������

�� ������������������ ����������� ������������������ �����������������

�������

�

����������

������

�� ���

�����

��� ��������

������ ������

����� �� �� �

�������� !��"

������ �����#$��� ������ �%� �

�����������

����������� �

��� ��������

Droppings

350

360

370

360

360

370

South Channel

Big Falls

WhitefishFalls

Trout Lake River

South Bay R

oad

White-tailed Deer Crossing

0 30 6015Meters

Big Falls Island Caribou Survey

Horizon HydroTrout Lake River Hydroelectric Project

Figure 3.1

1:2,000

South Channel

North Channel