Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Impacts on the natural environment
zone borders a refuge pond located between the peat bog and the ruisseau Saint-
Claude. During the construction period, drainage and backfilling work of 5.69 ha of the
peat bog are planned to build a concealment berm. The proponent’s visual
simulations show that building such a berm would moderately reduce the visual
impact of the facilities for users of Highway 132, without entirely concealing the tanks
from their view. Given the peat bog’s ecological value and the importance of this
component of the natural environment from a sustainable development perspective,
its conservation should be ensured (DA55.3; DQ58.4, p. 1 to 5).
During terminal operation, pumping water drained by the tank basins could have an
effect on peat bog drainage if a hydraulic link exists between the surface water and
the groundwater body under the peat bog. However, this hydraulic connection
remains to be confirmed by additional hydrogeological studies. Furthermore, Fisheries
and Oceans Canada and the MRNF have voiced their concerns regarding the
potential existence of a hydraulic link between the peat bog, the refuge pond and the
ruisseau Saint-Claude. They also expressed concern regarding the potential
consequences of the peat bog drainage on the flow rate of these streams and on fish
habitat (DQ5.1, p. 6; DQ6.1, p. 4; DQ62.1).
The proponent suggested some mitigation measures linked to the pumping of
groundwater, such as the injection of bentonite along a trench to create a hydraulic
barrier between the peat bog and the basin. He also suggested that pumped water be
discharged towards the peat bog. As for the moist forest bordering the refuge pond, the
proponent plans to maintain a minimum 20-m buffer zone during construction work.
♦ Recommendation 22 — Noting the mitigation measures put forward by the
proponent, the Panel recommends that the latter conduct additional geological studies
in order to confirm the groundwater behaviour and the existence of potential links
between the groundwater body, the peat bog located north-east of the site, the refuge
pond and the ruisseau Saint-Claude.
♦ Recommendation 23 — The Panel recommends that the peat bog be preserved from
backfilling by removing the planned concealment berm from the project. The Panel
also recommends that any residual loss be compensated, in compliance with the
guidelines provided by the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement
et des Parcs, to authorize work on an ombrotrophic or minerotrophic peat bog.
Pipeline route
The area being studied for the pipeline route includes numerous wetlands, mainly
natural peat bogs which occupy between 10% and 15% of this region’s surface area.
In general, the different alternatives avoid wetlands or bypass them on the sidelines
Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure 211