Public Notice
Notice of intent to make a determination
Pelican Narrows Subdivision Stage 7 – Public Comments Invited

October 29, 2024 – Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Pelican Narrows Subdivision Stage 7 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 November 28, 2024 to:
Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 2B6
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation is proposing to construct a new subdivision to support future population growth and housing on-reserve. The Stage 7 subdivision is planned to occupy a 9.68 ha area within the core community of Pelican Narrows I.R. No. 184B, with proposed water and wastewater connections located at the Reserve/Northern Village boundary.

The project includes upgrades to the existing sewage/wastewater pumping station (SPS) No. 6 and water and wastewater distribution services to help serve the projected future on-reserve population of 7,038 and Northern Village of Pelican Narrows population of 200 by 2044. Currently, 29 existing homes within the subdivision have tank systems for water and wastewater services. The project will connect these homes plus another 34 new lots to the water and wastewater pipeline distribution system. Fire hydrants will be included for fire protection. Existing roadways will be upgraded, and cul-de-sacs and new roadways with drainage ditches will be constructed.

Blasting will likely be required throughout the subdivision to install the water and wastewater pipelines considering the prevalence of shallow bedrock. These pipelines may require insulation where a depth of cover is insufficient to protect the pipes from frost penetration. The existing Reserve recirculating water distribution loop proposed along Custer Road will have a new 200 mm outside diameter (OD) HDPE DR13.5 watermain connections added. The existing water distribution loop that services SPS No. 6 and the arena will be decommissioned in favour of a new connection to the proposed water main servicing the Stage 7 Subdivision. Two sanitary wastewater catchment areas are proposed within the subdivision to reduce the amount of bedrock blasting and to maintain a gravity drain to SPS No.7.

SPS No. 6, constructed in 1996, will be upgraded to meet current codes and regulations and to service the northern portion of the new subdivision. Upgrades to the building include masonry walls with brick fascia exterior, conversion of the existing service room to a pump room with existing wet-well, piping, valves and instrumentation. The building expansion will include reinforced concrete slab, a generator room, an electrical room and new roof. A propane tank outside the building will be within a fenced compound with a new gravel driveway, potable water service and the lot will be graded for positive drainage.

Site preparation activities will include vegetation clearing, topsoil stripping and stockpiling, and bedrock blasting.