Loon River First Nation: CU344 Main Access Road Upgrade Project – Public Comments Invited

November 16, 2023 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Loon River First Nation: CU344 Main Access Road Upgrade Project located in Loon Lake, Alberta, 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 December 18, 2023 to:

Joël Gervais
630 Canada Place
9700 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, AB
T5J 4G2
joel.gervais @sac-isc.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

    Loon River First Nation proposes to complete upgrades to its main access road extending from Highway 88 to the townsite within Loon Lake IR 235. The existing road will be upgraded to an all-season gravel road to meet the appropriate Alberta Transportation and Transportation Association of Canada (TAC) standards, and ready for future pavement. Activities will include stripping, grading, ditching, and installation of several culverts in low lying areas (identified drainages and wetlands). Construction will begin in the winter of 2023/2024 to limit impacts to the adjacent wetlands. The total project footprint (including current road footprint) is 14.53 ha, and works will occur within the current road alignment. While no activities to existing watercourse crossing works are expected, temporary wetland impacts are being evaluated within the road footprint. Wildlife species of concern including pileated woodpecker, woodland caribou, and Canada lynx.