Notice of Intent to Make a Determination

Lac La Ronge Indian Band - Lac La Ronge 156 Lagoon Expansion - Public Comments invited

May 13, 2024 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Lac La Ronge Indian Band - Lac La Ronge 156 Lagoon Expansion, to be located on Lac La Ronge 156 Reserve, 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 June 12, 2024 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, SK  S4P 2B6

Telephone: 306-581-3134
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

Proposed Project

The Lac La Ronge Indian Band is proposing a lagoon expansion project within the Lac La Ronge 156 Reserve. The existing two-cell facultative / exfiltration lagoon, located on provincial Crown land, provide wastewater treatment for the LLRIB reserves 156 and 156B and surrounding rural areas that utilize septic hauling. The lagoon is directly connected to the gravity sewer systems, pumping stations and force mains to provide wastewater service for Air Ronge and the LLRIB reserves 156 and 156B. The existing lagoon primary cell has an area of 8.76 ha and a secondary cell with an effective volume of 222,000 m^3 having a reduced storage volume and functioning as an exfiltration cell. The cells are divided by an earthen dyke. The primary cell has a liquid depth of 1.5 m, the secondary cell has a liquid depth of 2.1 m, both having a freeboard of 1.0 m. Treated effluent is discharged from the secondary cell to the northeast of the facility. The proposed works include the redesign of the existing lagoon into the primary cell with a truck pad, concrete influent sump pad and drain with a weir manhole. The expansion becomes the secondary cell with the proposed effluent drainage route remaining to the north east. The proposed primary cell has an area of 22.1 ha and the secondary cell has an area of 33.8 ha with a storage capacity of 708,600 m3. 

 

Upgrades to the existing lagoon system are necessary to provide adequate treatment and storage capacity for present needs into the future 20 years. The decision to expand to the south and east is based on several factors including the fact that the lagoon access road is located to the west, buffer zones needed, elevation difference between the existing lagoon and land to the east, swampy wetland to the south of the lagoon, and construction on provincial land.

 

Vegetation clearing, grubbing and disposal will take place outside of the migratory bird breeding period, excess soil will be used on site or stockpiled and removed. During construction, dewatering will be required to maintain a dry work site, to prevent rutting and to achieve the require compaction. Contractor bid documents will clearly outline the requirements to comply with environmental regulations and restrictions.  An HDPE liner system will be placed in the existing and proposed cells. Drainage will be upgraded. There are no decommissioning plans.

Document reference number: 1

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