From Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada re: Comments on the Northern Road Link Project Draft Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines

Hi Ely,

Although MNRF did not do a formal review of the TISG for the Northern Road Link project, I did do a scoped look through the document and identified a few thoughts for IAAC’s consideration.   I honestly couldn’t find a way to submit comments without using my personal GC Key login, so I’m sending them directly to you instead.

These comments are all related to the cumulative effects section (7.7). 

It appears that the cumulative effects assessment (CEA) section speaks to the inclusion of various existing or future projects as part of the CEA.  I might recommend adding the following to the list on page 50-51:

• Rapid Lynx Fiber Optic project.
• Potential waterpower or other electricity generation projects that may feed power into future “power transmission projects” to service remote MATAWA communities and/or mining developments.

In addition, although not explicitly identified as a future project, it could be expected that the NRL may require secondary services (gas stations, garages, electric charging stations and rest stops) located along the northern road link corridor or WSR/MF-CAR corridors.  Where these secondary service features are not considered as part of the IA/EA, and where they can be reasonably anticipated, please consider including them as part of the cumulative effects assessment.

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Nancy Berglund (she/her)