Public Notice

Soil Remediation and Landfarm Upgrade - Site 1 (Former Petit Casimir Memorial School Tank Farm - FCSI # 5697) and Site 2 (Northlands Former Federal School - FCSI 5310001) – Public Comments Invited

[May 28, 2026] – The Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Soil Remediation and Landfarm Upgrade - Site 1 (Former Petit Casimir Memorial School Tank Farm - FCSI # 5697) and Site 2 (Northlands Former Federal School - FCSI 5310001), located in Northlands Denesuline First Nation is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, the 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 June 27, 2026 to:

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)
365 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 3A3
431-334-6471
Ayonniyi.dehinbo@sac-isc.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

Project proponent: Northlands Denesuline First Nation (NDFN)

Project title: Northlands Denesuline FN Soil Remediation and Landfarm Upgrade - Site 1 (Former Petit Casimir Memorial School Tank Farm - FCSI # 5697) and Site 2 (Northlands Former Federal School - FCSI 5310001)

Project location: Northlands Denesuline First Nation

Project Authority: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

Description: Project is made up of #2 sites: Site 1 (Former Petit Casimir Memorial School Tank Farm - FCSI # 5697) and Site 2 (Northlands Former Federal School - FCSI 5310001)

Site 1 (Former Petit Casimir Memorial School Tank Farm - FCSI # 5697): Excavation in site #1 (also known as TTZ A) will be divided into two zones (A and B) due to the presence of underground utilities in Zone A, and its proximity to the road. Zone A will be excavated, using heavy equipment, in a series of trenches running north/south to maintain road integrity and avoid buried utilities. Each trench will have contaminated soil removed to the extent possible and field screening and sampling will be conducted during excavation to test for residual impacts. If soil impacts remain, a chemical amendment will be mixed with remaining soil prior to backfilling with clean material. Zone B will be excavated entirely and
backfilled with clean material after confirming the absence of contamination.
TTZ B will be excavated entirely and backfilled with clean material after confirming the absence of contamination. Contaminated soil will be transported to the Soil Treatment Facility (STF) using tandem trucks and placed in an even layer, maintaining a 10 m setback from the south berm to preserve sump capacity. Soil placed at the STF will be tilled during the summer months to enhance bioremediation. Nutrient amendments may also be applied to accelerate treatment, with requirements determined based on annual soil sampling at the STF.

Site #2 (Northlands Former Federal School - FCSI 5310001), also known as TTZ G: Excavation at TTZ G will be excavated using heavy equipment, and backfilled with clean material after confirming the absence
of contamination. Contaminated soil will be transported to the STF using tandem trucks and placed in an even layer, maintaining a 10 m setback from the south berm to preserve sump capacity. Soil placed at the STF will be tilled during the summer months to enhance bioremediation. Nutrient amendments may also be applied to accelerate treatment, with requirements determined based on annual soil sampling at the STF.

Authority required action: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is funding this project.