Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Impacts on the inhabited area and human activities
example 1 . Under these conditions, it could happen that ship traffic might have to be
restricted for the time needed to take corrective measures (DQ31.1, p. 2; DQ12.1, p. 2).
According to the proponent, the types of tankers in question are those with membrane
tanks and a capacity of 160 000 m³ with overhead clearance of less than 44 m and
Qflex model tankers, which are planned to supply the terminal during the winter would
be constructed following specifications that include an overhead clearance allowing
them to pass under the lines during the winter. In regard to LNG tankers using
spherical tank technology, which might supply the terminal on an occasional basis,
they would not be used in winter as they are not adapted to winter conditions. The
proponent noted that ships having overhead clearances higher than those of the
tankers, such as the Queen Mary II, which has an overhead clearance of 63 m, go
under the lines by sailing closer to the shore where water depth permits and the lines
are much higher. Nevertheless, we point out that the navigable channel under the
Hydro-Québec lines has a width of 915 m and that the proponent has made a
commitment to keep a minimum distance of 500 m between LNG tankers and île
d’Orléans (PR5.1, p. 1.2; DQ69.1. p. 1 and 2). The Panel therefore understands that
these factors will be taken into consideration in the case of restrictions on the
movement of LNG tankers under Hydro-Québec’s lines.
♦ Recommendation 14 — The Panel recommends that the proponent establish a
procedure for communications on conditions governing the clearance of
transmission lines and the measures to be taken for passage of LNG tankers in the
case of restrictions on overhead clearance under the line, and that this be done after
agreement with Hydro-Québec, Transport Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Recreation and tourism activities
According to the proponent, a limited number of pleasure crafts cross the river in a
north-south direction between Ville Guay and île d’Orléans. Consequently, the
proponent did not see the utility of controlling pleasure craft traffic around LNG
tankers, except when the tankers are berthed at the jetty. During those times,
pleasure crafts and tour boats must come no closer than 50 m from a berthing area
(DQ27.60, p. 2).
To ensure the safe passage of small non-motorized boats, the proponent plans to
develop a marked passage under the jetty between two support trestles, which would
be accessible at both high and low tides, without being too far from shore. The City of
1. By way of example an accumulation of 1 and 1.5 inches of ice on the cables could reduce the respective
overhead clearance to 52 m and 43 m (DQ69.1; DQ31.1).
Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure 197