NOTICE OF DETERMINATION

Montreal – January 23, 2024 – Transport Canada has determined that the Installation of a 50,000 L reservoir at the Lourdes-de-Blanc-Sablon airport is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

• Soil reuse must be done in accordance with Appendix 5 of Guide d'intervention – Protection des sols et réhabilitation des sites contaminés of the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP)
• During excavation work, if soils showing signs of contamination or residual materials are observed, they must be stored on a waterproof membrane (also place a membrane on top of the soil pile) or in a container. Test soils and manage them for their level of contamination at a site authorized to receive them in the province selected for disposal. These floors or materials should not be reused on site. Notify the airport manager immediately.
• At the end of the work, any unused soil or materials must be managed off-site, outside of TC property. They must be tested and transported to a site authorized to receive it by the province to which they are shipped. Transport and disposal slips must be kept.
• Ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with Quebec's Regulation respecting the traceability of excavated contaminated soils.
• All backfill material imported to the site must be clean, which means that it must meet criterion "A" of the MELCCFP Intervention Guide. A certificate of quality analysis of the backfill material is required prior to use.
• Restore the land to its pre-existing condition.
• It is the contractor's responsibility to identify underground infrastructure if excavation is planned.
• Manage residual materials in compliance with the 3R (reduction at source, reuse, recycling, recovery). Only materials that cannot be disposed of in one of these channels are sent for disposal.
•  At the end of the period of use of the site, clear the work areas of equipment, machinery, demolition materials, garbage, garbage, rubble and excavated material from the work as quickly as possible. These materials will have to be managed in sites authorized to receive them according to the applicable regulations for all types of waste that will be produced as part of this work.
• Carry out maintenance, cleaning and refuelling of equipment and vehicles in the areas provided for this purpose, on a watertight surface, at a distance of at least 30 m from watercourses and 15 m from drainage ditches.
• Clean concrete mixers outside the airport site. 
• Ensure that poured concrete is protected from rain at all times during concreting work.
• Ensure that water that has been in contact with uncured or partially cured concrete or cement (such as cleaning water from cement mixers and other equipment) is not discharged into the aquatic environment.
• If water wells are encountered during construction, make every effort to preserve their integrity.
• Where possible, limit machinery traffic to the road footprint to minimize impacts on adjacent natural vegetation.
• Ensure that work equipment and machinery are clean and free of invasive species upon arrival at the site and maintain them in this condition thereafter and at the end of the work.
• Use clean machinery in good working order.
• Before work begins, inspect the equipment to ensure that it is in good working order, clean and free of oil or lubricant leaks.
• Maintain an on-site environmental emergency response plan and an appropriate response kit for the recovery of hazardous materials. All employees familiar with its use. 
• Report any spills immediately to ECCC's emergency services (1-866-283-2333) and to the environmental emergency service of the Ministère de l'Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs du Québec (MELCCFP) (1-866-694-5454).  Transport Canada must also be notified.
• Any contaminant spill must be subject to immediate response measures to limit and recover pollutants. Pollutants must be managed according to current standards.

• Any waste or pollutants associated with this incident must be managed and disposed of off-site in accordance with current regulations. Documentation of a compliant arrangement shall be provided to the TC Project Manager.
• In the event of an equipment breakdown or spill, implement the emergency response plan immediately. Notify the airport official and TC environmental advisors immediately.

• When refueling machinery, minimize the risk of accidental spills (stabilization of equipment and machinery before proceeding, constant monitoring during operations, presence of a complete response kit in the event of a petroleum product spill, etc.).

• If soils are contaminated by an accidental spill, they should be stacked on a waterproof membrane and covered with a waterproof membrane, or placed in leak-proof containers.
• Complete the work in accordance with the requirements of the plans and specifications.
• Notify the authorities concerned of any changes to the project in terms and conditions of implementation and operation (schedule, plan of facilities, etc.).
• Comply at all times with the Environmental Laws in force with respect to the use, non-use, maintenance, non-maintenance, maintenance, non-maintenance, operation or non-operation of the occupied premises, equipment and installations erected thereon, as applicable.
• Install the tank in accordance with the requirements of the CCME Environmental Code of Practice for Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank Systems for Related Petroleum Products. 
• Ensure compliance with the Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations (STSPPAPPR).
• The oil contractor who will install the tank must provide a certificate of compliance signed by a person recognized by the Régie du Bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) at the end of the installation work.
• A user permit from the RBQ must be obtained for the use of this reservoir, which is considered to be high risk.
• Ensure that the tank is installed on a tight, solid surface and that the bearing capacity of the ground ensures the stability of the installation for the life of the installation.
• Submit as-built plans (compliant drawings) showing all elements required by section 34(2) of the STSPPAPPR and all elements installed as part of this project, including all underground facilities.
• Update the Environmental Emergency Plan submitted as part of this application.

Transport Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Transport Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.