Development of a multifunctional trail

The Beauharnois-Salaberry Regional County Municipality (RCM) is proposing to develop a 3-meter-wide, 65-meter-long multiuse trail on Transport Canada property managed by the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation. The trail, which will be built on the site of a former ATV trail and will provide safe access to the existing bike path along the Beauharnois Canal. Stone dust and wooden sleepers have been chosen as the materials for the trail. The project also includes the construction of a 20-meter-long natural stone wall to prevent users from leaving the trail and encroaching on the adjacent wetland.

Latest update

Notice of Determination

Quebec City – November 10, 2025 – Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has determined that the Multipurpose Trail Development Project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on the following factors:

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

The main mitigation measures considered for this determination are as follows:

  • Impacts on birds, aquatic animals, and wildlife (flora and fauna), including species at risk and their critical habitat:
    • Carry out the work in the fall, i.e., outside the species' breeding season;
    • Install an exclusion fence before and throughout the work to prevent small animals, particularly western chorus frogs, from entering the project area.
    • Have a qualified person remove small animals (particularly Western Chorus Frog) found within the work area to a safe location.
    • Limit the work area to the existing trail and a 3-meter zone on either side of it.
  • Release of a pollutant into the soil, water, or atmosphere:
    • Conduct environmental monitoring during the work.
    • Use small machinery (maximum width of 2.4 meters).
    • Have an emergency response kit on site at all times.
    • Ensure that equipment is in good working order and free of leaks.
    • Use biodegradable oil to lubricate machinery.
    • Maintain and refuel machinery outside the essential habitat of the RFGO and more than 15 meters from a body of water or wetland.
    • Based on the GHG emissions assessment (< 10 kt) using the Climate Change Strategy Assessment Application Tool for projects covered by sections 82 and 83 of the LEI, no specific GHG measures would be required.

ECCC is satisfied that the project is unlikely to cause adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, ECCC can assume any role or responsibility that would enable the implementation of the project.

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Contacts

Canadian Wildlife Service
Sébastien Paradis, Senior Environmental Assessment Coordinator
801-1550 avenue D'Estimauville
Québec, Quebec G1J 0C3
Email: EE-SCF@ec.gc.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Beauharnois Canal (Quebec)

  • Nature of Activity

    • Building and Property Development

  • Assessment Status

    Completed

  • Start Date

    2025-10-10

  • Proponent

    Beauharnois-Salaberry Regional County Municipality (RCM)

  • Authorities

    • Environment and Climate Change Canada

  • Assessment Type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference Number

    89939

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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