Auminer,

You post says:"Other than Noront's EW proposal none of these have had any engineering, environmental studies or FN input on them, they are currently just lines on a map and cannot be taken seriously"

I would suggest that before these sweeping statements are made you should read

- the report written by Northern Policy Institute (link provided by Luker);

- an old post, but quite relevant, that shows the cost estimates for various sections of the EW road to serve several FN communities, including those on the East side, e.g. Marten Falls.

http://96.126.111.98/ir/KWG/forums/discussion/topics/610534-if-you-can-t-get-enough/?message_id=1914487

wrt to input from the FN, Chief Eli Moonias of Marten Falls had provided many inputs for the connection from Marten Falls to Marten Falls Junction where the NS corridor meets the alternate EW road. The cost estimates are also provided to upgrade the ice road to a 4-season road. Usually, the permanent road would follow the ice road (sponsored by the FN) to minimize the effort in upgrading the EA. This would involve participation of the FN and engineering design. They are not just lines on the map as you have concluded.

CLF has an EA for their road on the esker. The service road along the RR is much smaller hence the EA that CLF has for this super-highway (now NOT has it, presumably after the purchase of CLF asset) should be applicable to a smaller road (less impact on the environment). Check with NOT to see if they can provide you with some info.

There is a lot of relevant information out there for doing one's DD.

GH