Congratulations to Marten Falls and Webequie First Nations on the approval of their Environmental Assessment (EA) Terms of Reference (ToR) for the Northern Road Link (NRL) project. This road project is the third and final road proposed to access the Ring of Fire (RoF) and was approved by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change on March 6, 2023.
In 2020, Marten Falls and Webequie, along with the Ontario government, announced an agreement to move forward with planning and development of the NRL. The proposed new road will link the Marten Falls Community Access Road to the Webequie Supply Road, completing a new network of infrastructure from Aroland First Nation to Webequie and including the RoF mineral deposits.
The ToR is essentially Marten Falls and Webequie’s work plan for what is going to be studied during the preparation of an EA. An EA is a study which assesses the potential environmental effects (positive or negative) of the proposed road. Key components of an environmental assessment include consultation with First Nations, government agencies and the public; consideration and evaluation of alternatives; and the management of potential environmental effects.
Chief Bruce Achneepineskum said: “On behalf of Marten Falls, I am pleased to move forward with NRL ToR approval and the start of the Environmental Assessment! It is important as our young people and members are relying on us leaders to provide employment and training opportunities but also a sustainable economic base for our communities!”
For links to the three road project’s webpages, go to: www.rofmetals.com/projects/community-infrastructure-corridor
By Ryan Tuomi, Manager, Community Engagement
