Notice of determination - Redevelopment of the Canest Transit inc. terminal

 

October 3rd, 2023 – The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) and Transport Canada (TC) have determined that the proposed project Redevelopment of the Canest Transit inc. terminal is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

 

This determination was based on the following factors:

 

-              Community knowledge;

-              Comments received from the public; and;

-              Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

 

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

 

Topography and Surface Drainage

• Properly manage rainwater to prevent infiltration beneath the proposed structures, for example, through pumping.

 

Residual Effects

 

By applying this measure, the residual effects of the project will be short-lived, limited to the work site and will have a low intensity. No significant effects are anticipated.

 

Soil Quality, Surface Water, and Groundwater

• Keep the construction site free from waste and debris;
• Use recovery bins under appliances and stationary equipment that may leak hydrocarbons or need periodic replenishment (generators, hydraulic excavators, etc.);
• Refuel equipment and machinery more than 15 m away from any catch basin or drainage point, on impermeable surfaces designated for this purpose;
• Maintain machinery, equipment, and trucks used during work in perfect condition and free from oil leaks, petroleum products, or any other liquid that could pollute the environment;
• Replace or repair defective machinery and vehicles as soon as possible;
• At all times, have emergency response kits (absorbent products, sealed bags, plugs, gloves, etc.) near the work area and machinery refuelling areas to contain any spills;
• Develop an emergency plan that includes the names of people and authorities to contact, as well as measures to be taken in the event of a spill;
• In the event of a hydrocarbon spill or any other harmful substances, take all necessary measures to stop the leak and contain the spilled product. Recover the product and restore the area. Notify authorities without delay;
• In the event of a spill in the soil, ensure that the area is cleaned, contaminated soil is removed and disposed of in a location authorized by the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP), and characterization is carried out;
• Manage excavated and contaminated soils in compliance with current regulations and the Excavated Soil Management Grid of the Intervention Guide (MELCCFP) to ensure adequate protection of surrounding natural environments, both terrestrial and aquatic;
• Monitor and control the origin and quality of soils used for backfilling;
• Stack contaminated soils at least 30 m from the shoreline and at least 15 m away from catch basins/drainage points, on impermeable membranes or surfaces, and cover them with impermeable membranes;
• Install tight sediment barriers to separate the work area surrounding areas where questionable quality soils are piled and maintain them in good condition throughout the work;
• Recover, store, and if necessary, filter, settle, or treat water generated by construction activities (e.g., concrete mixer wash water, curing water, excavation dewatering water) or use any other approved method to comply with current discharge standards; and
• Implement runoff water collection devices that accumulate in excavations and a characterization program. Dispose of water in compliance with current regulations.

 

Operation Phase

 

• Implement the environmental emergency plan measures of the Port of Montreal Administration (APM) in the event of accidental spills;

 

Residual Effects

 

Construction Phase

Although the project carries a risk of contamination during construction, spills occur often in one spot and can be corrected quickly. In addition, proper management of contaminated water and materials should prevent contamination in soil and surface water. Therefore, considering the application of spill mitigation measures as well as water and soil management measures, the residual effects of the project would be limited to the work site, will be of short duration, and should be of medium intensity. As a result, no significant effects are anticipated.

 

Operation Phase

 

The accident prevention and recovery measures already implemented by APM may be adapted and implemented as needed. Thus, the residual effect on soil and water quality during the operational stage will have a local extent (sections 40 to 44 of Port of Montreal), will be of long duration (contamination events can occur over time) and will be of medium intensity). No significant effects are anticipated.

 

Greenhouse gases

 

• Ensure the exhaust system of all vehicles or equipment used is in good condition to prevent the emission of additional air pollutants; and
• Limit trucking and eliminate idling of vehicles at a standstill whenever possible;

 

Residual effects

 

The residual effects following the application of these measures will be of low intensity (not all machinery will always be in operation during the work), their duration will be limited to the duration of the works and the extent of effects will be local (site of work and adjacent areas). As a result, no significant effects are anticipated.

 

Air Quality

• Ensure workers are trained and understand practices to minimize dust;
• Meticulously maintain asphalted trucking routes and, when necessary, use appropriate dust control measures on unpaved roads;
• Limit the speed of heavy vehicles on-site to minimize dust uplift;
• Ensure the exhaust system of all vehicles or equipment used is in good condition to prevent the emission of additional air pollutants;
• Comply with municipal policies for transporting granular materials, among other things, by using authorized routes only;
• Limit trucking and eliminate idling of vehicles at a standstill whenever possible;
• Cover sewer manhole grates with geotextile fabric where fine particles are likely to infiltrate;
• Apply dust control measures (preferably water), if necessary, during demolition activities, on bare surfaces, and piles of materials containing fine particles to prevent or reduce dust dispersion; and
• Avoid operations during high winds.

 

Residual Effects

 

Residual effects, following the application of mitigation measures will be short-lived and limited to the work site and its adjacent area (local extent), and will be of medium intensity. No significant effects are anticipated.

 

Flora and Invasive Alien Species (IAS)

• Protect the trunks of trees and shrubs located in the immediate vicinity of the work;
• In the work area, define by a specialist professional an area representing the extent of the theoretical root system to be preserved (optimal protection zone) around each tree to be protected;
• Avoid all excavation, circulation, or machinery cleaning activities as well as storage in the optimal protection zone;
• If excavations are to be carried out, cut the exposed deep roots using sharp and disinfected tools such as pruning shears, hand saw, or mechanical saw;
• Cover exposed roots with non-woven, non-calendered, permeable white or pale gray geotextile fabric that retains moisture on the targeted surfaces;
• Maintain the geotextile fabric wet continuously until the backfill is completed, using low-flow watering;
• At the end of the work, fill the trench containing the cut roots with the excavated soil, a planting soil mix, or mulch (e.g., wood chips or other). This substrate must be kept moist and slightly compacted to prevent air voids in the backfill;
• Check for the presence of invasive alien plant species (IAS) before starting work;
• Inform the APM representative of the presence/absence of IAS before commencing work;
• Clean machinery before entering the construction site and clean it again if used in an area affected by IAS before moving it to an unaffected area. Cleaning should be done as far away from the river as possible (at least 60 m when possible) and from a catch basin/drainage point; and
• Transport cleaning residues and debris containing IAS to an authorized landfill.

 

Residual Effects

 

The application of tree protection measures, as well as the prevention measures for IAS, will have residual effects limited to the work area. Although damage to roots, branches and tree trunks could occur because of traffic and machinery operation, there is a low probability that these injuries will threaten the survival of trees. As a result, the residual effects would have a temporary duration and a medium intensity. No significant effects are anticipated.

 

Avifauna and Species of Special Concern

• Schedule work that may disturb avifauna outside the bird nesting period (mid-April to late August);
• For work that may disturb birds and cannot be carried out outside the nesting period, a biologist must check for nest presence before commencing work;
• Inform the APM representative of the presence or absence of nests before starting work; and
• In the event of the discovery of a nest containing eggs or chicks during the works:
  • Temporarily suspend all disruptive activities in the vicinity of the nesting site until the chicks have left the nest on their own;
  • Move away from the nest as quickly and discreetly as possible;
  • Protect the nest by establishing a protection zone;
  • Avoid the surrounding area until the chicks have left the nest on their own.

 

Residual Effects

 

By carrying out the works outside the nesting period of birds and verifying the presence of nests, assuring their protection if found, residual effects will be temporary and of medium intensity (disturbances on birds resulting from noise and vibrations produced by the works) in a local area. Thus, no significant effects are anticipated.

 

Port Activities and Existing Infrastructure

• Coordinate work with various users to ensure that the required areas for road traffic diversion are available during work;
• Plan the sequence of demolition and construction work based on the use of infrastructure and its users, especially during CanEst's low production period, from April to August;
• Ensure the new substation is operational before starting the demolition of the current one; and
• Maintain the necessary spaces for port facilities and activities.

 

Residual Effects

 

By applying these measures, the residual effect would be local in scope as will be limited to the work site as well as to the neighboring infrastructure. In addition, the duration of residual effects will be the duration of works (temporary duration). Residual effects will have a medium intensity on Port operations due to potential disruptions. This is because of the diversion of vehicular traffic and the reduction of storage space and access to the CanEst installations. Machine operation could be slightly affected. However, no significant effects are anticipated.

 

Railway Traffic

• Maintain a minimum of one functioning railway track during the duration of the work;
• Carry out work in weekend blocks; and
• Maintain close coordination and communication with the port's railway operations team.

 

Residual Effects

 

Residual effects are limited to the portion of the track located at level crossing 42 during construction works (temporary duration). Maintaining at least one track open during construction will ensure the continuity of rail operations. In this way, the intensity of the effect will be low. No significant residual effects are anticipated.

 

Road Traffic

• Always maintain at least one road link, and
• Use flaggers or traffic lights to manage traffic when alternating traffic flow.

 

Residual Effects

 

By applying the mitigation measures mentioned, the residual effect of the project on road traffic will be of low intensity (traffic disruption will not be important because a minimum of one lane will be open during the works). The effect will have a temporary duration (during the works) in section 43 of the Port. No significant effects are expected.

 

Soundscape

• Inform the population in sensitive areas in advance of potentially noisy work periods;
• Prohibit night-time work (including material delivery) and cease all noisy operations on Sundays and holidays;
• Limit access to the construction site via entrances on Rue Notre-Dame Est, using the Port's road whenever possible;
• Prohibit the impact of rear truck panels or require trucks to be equipped with noise- dampening devices to reduce clattering noise;
• Prohibit idling of stationary or mobile machinery for longer than 5 minutes;
• Equip mobile equipment with broadband (white noise) back-up alarms;
• Implement APM's noise complaint collection and processing process;
• During the construction period, install a continuous automatic noise measurement station to detect exceedances of noise thresholds; and
• implement periodic monitoring of the noise climate at the edges of noise-sensitive areas, minimally at the start of new sub-projects or during peak work times.

 

Residual Effects

 

Considering the application of the prevention and monitoring measures mentioned above, the residual effect on noise climate is considered not significant during the construction phase.

 

Considering the implementation of mitigation measures and because of the medium intensity of residual effects (despite communication of planned works to the population in noise-sensitive areas, complaints from  neighbors could still occur during construction), their local extent (affected areas are those sensitive to noise only), and the temporary duration of the works, no significant effects are anticipated.