Montreal – May 2, 2024 – Transport Canada has determined that the proposed project Temporary repair of riprap at the Les Méchins wharf, located in Les Méchins, Québec 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:

Avian Fauna and Species at Risk

• Prohibit vegetation clearing during the short-eared owl's nesting season, between May 1 and July 15. 
• If a nest containing migratory bird eggs or nestlings is found near on in the work area, stop all noisy activities in the vicinity of the nesting site, protect the nest(s) with a protection zone. Immediatly contact the departmental representative to ensure proper action is taken. 
• Minimize land clearing, stripping and forest clearing to reduce loss of bird habitat.  

Vegetation and wetland

• Minimize the movement of machinery in wetlands and bodies of water. Prioritize manual or small equipment. Circulation in these environments must be done in an exceptional manner, with machinery adapted to their load-bearing capacity. 
• Use equipment that is clean and free of invasive species. 

Soils and surface water

• If soils or materials with evidence of contamination (visual or olfactory) are observed during excavation, they must be stored on a membrane or leak-proof container, analyzed and managed in accordance with current standards based on soil test results. These soils or materials must not be reused on site.
• The backfill material must be made up of clean materials (whose concentrations are below criteria A of the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la lutte aux changements climatiques, de la faune et des parcs (MELCFFP)). Provide a certificate to demonstrate the environmental quality of the backfill materials.
• Excavated material managed off-site must comply with the Regulation respecting the traceability of excavated contaminated soils. The project must be registered in Traces Québec. The soil must be transported to a site authorized by the MELCCFP.
• At the end of the work, provide Transport Canada with the traceability report generated by Traces Québec.
• Keep machinery and equipment in good working order, clean and free of leaks of oil, gasoline or any other liquid that may pollute the environment, and stop engines when not in use.
• Maintain a minimum distance of 30 metres from any watercourse, aquatic environment or wetland for refuelling, parking machinery and storing petroleum products. If this distance cannot be maintained, the contractor will be required to install an adequate secondary containment system to contain a potential spill.

 

Accidents and malfunctions

• Develop an effective emergency plan in the event of an environmental incident, spill (sediment or noxious substances) or fire related to the characteristics and constraints of the site and its environment.
• The environmental emergency response plan must include the names of the persons and authorities to be contacted and the measures to be implemented in the event of a spill. This contingency plan must be submitted to Transport Canada at least 5 working days prior to the start of the work.
• Train all personnel on spill emergency response procedures, methods, and the use of relevant equipment and materials.
• Maintain complete emergency response kits (absorbents, dry bags, blowout preventers, gloves, etc.) at all times in the vicinity of the work area to contain any spills. Secondary emergency kits may be required in some areas of the jobsite.
• Immediately report any accidental spill of diesel, gasoline or other environmental incident to the departmental representative and the following authorities:-Environment Canada, Environmental Emergencies Centre. Tel.: 866-283-2333.-MELCCFP: 1-866-694-5454.-Canadian Coast Guard, Marine Pollution. :1-800-363-4735-Site Supervisor These emergency numbers must be posted very clearly and at all times in the site office.
• Manage and dispose of any waste or pollutants associated with the incident off-site, in accordance with the regulations in force. Documentation of a compliant disposition must be provided to the TC Project Manager.
• In the event of an accidental spill, recover any contamination, whether it is the spilled product, the soil or the water affected by this contamination and dispose of it according to the regulations in force.

Waste management

• Ensure that waste and debris are disposed of in authorized sites according to their nature.
• At the end of the period of use of the site, clear the work areas as quickly as possible of all equipment, machinery parts, demolition materials, waste, scrap metal, rubble and spoil from worksite. Materials and waste must be managed in sites authorized to receive them, in accordance with the regulations in force.

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.