NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: Sahtu Settlement Area

Tags: fish habitat, hydrology, surface water, fish health

Objective(s): To collect baseline data related to water quality, hydrology, and fish habitat from 11 different locations at the outflow of Cirque Lake and along Dale Creek, as well as tributaries of both Dale Creek and the Tsichu River.

Project Description: This licence has been issued for the scientific research application No. 5975. To collect baseline data related to water quality, hydrology, and fish habitat from 11 different locations at the outflow of Cirque Lake and along Dale Creek, as well as tributaries of both Dale Creek and the Tsichu River. Baseline data will be obtained from the surface water quality monitoring stations WR-1, WR-2, WR-3, WR-4, and WQ-CL. Baseline data will also be obtained along the existing MacTung Access Road at the Potential Crossing 1 and the Dale Creek Crossing, as well as along the proposed access road at Potential Crossings 2,3,4 and the approximate tie-in site, dependent on whether water in present at each location. Water quality grab samples will be collected by field staff on a monthly basis during the open water season. In-situ water quality data and stream flow measurements will also be recorded on a monthly basis by field staff using hand-held instruments. Additionally, monitoring and sampling associated with fish and fish habitat assessment, and benthic, chlorophyll, periphyton and sediment surveying will occur at select field sampling events. Fireweed proactively engages with Indigenous rights holders potentially affected by its exploration operations and mineral development projects. Previous engagement with Indigenous governments, land stewardship offices and potentially affected communities has taken a wide range of forms, for example, engagement in Yukon has included direct communication (e-mails, telephone calls), community meetings and/or open houses, and formal processes allowing for public information requests and proponent responses. The proposed research study falls within the Tulita District of the Sahtú Settlement Area, as defined by the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement. Starting in 2022, and particularly since acquiring Mactung in mid-2023, Fireweed has been engaging with Sahtú – Tulita District communities and organizations. A short summary of this engagement includes: • 2022 – Meeting with Sahtú Renewable Resource Board and Fort Norman Metis Community board members, executive and staff at their Annual General Meeting • 2023 – Mactung (and Macpass) site visit with Tulita Renewable Resource Council’s President (and Ross River Dena Council members) • 2023 – Meeting with Fort Norman Métis Community and Sahtú Secretariat Inc. • 2023 – Introductory e-mails with Sahtú Land and Water Board • 2023 to 2024 – Requested meetings with Sahtú Renewable Resource Board and Tulita Renewable Resource Council • 2023 to 2024 – Seeking a meeting with Tulita District Land Corporation and Tulita organizations during a future visit to Tulita • 2023 to 2024 – Phone updates with Mayor of Norman Wells • 2024 – Meeting and phone updates with Sahtú Secretariat Inc. • 2024 – Meeting with Sahtú MLA Mr. Danny McNeely In keeping with Fireweed’s standard of carrying out meaningful consultation and engagement initiatives relating to their projects and building further relationships, Fireweed is planning on proactively engaging with Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, and municipal governments potentially affected by Fireweed’s Research Application #5975 as part of the application process to address any concerns, comments, or suggestions regarding the proposed research. Fireweed acknowledges that communicating with communities is a vital part of the research licensing procedure. Fireweed is currently drafting a letter that will be sent to all affected parties, which will describe the scope, methodology and location of the proposed research study. The letter will offer a teleconference call should the parties wish to discuss the application or the Mactung Project further. As per the “Doing Research in the Northwest Territories: A Guide for Researchers” (Government of Northwest Territories, 2024), engagement initiatives will include correspondence with the local Renewable Resource Councils (Norman Wells and Tulita) and the Sahtu Renewable Resources Board. Fireweed is intending to have this introductory letter submitted to all review organizations by the end of next week and will work to address any feedback as soon as it has been received. Additionally, Fireweed is committed to project transparency and knowledge sharing, and will make available water testing results and sampling locations to any review organization as requested, upon the completion of the study. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from: October 10 - December 31, 2024