Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Impacts on the natural environment
Jetty and shore facility area
Table 17 shows the presence of two designated species in the projected jetty area
and maritime facilities: the fringed gentian, Victorin variety, and the spotted waterhemlock,
Victorin variety. Given their protected status, these two species, which are
found in similar habitats, receive special attention here.
It must also be said that five species recorded on the list of species likely to be
designated as threatened or vulnerable by the government of Quebec have been
noticed in the jetty area. Two aquatic-grass beds housing several of these rare plants
have been identified near the proposed shore facility (PR3.3.1. p. 2.42 and 6.41).
♦ Finding — The Panel notes that the jetty area represents a zone of interest from a
floristic standpoint, sheltering seven species of precarious-status plants, two of which
are designated as threatened, pursuant to the Act respecting threatened or vulnerable
species.
The fringed gentian, Victorin variety, and the spotted water-hemlock, Victorin variety
are found only in Quebec and are endemic species of the St. Lawrence riverine
estuary. Labrecque and Lavoie (2002, p. 17) 1 believe that ‘‘endemic species of
restricted distribution certainly represent the most interesting and most important
group from a conservation standpoint since they are the ones most bound to
disappear from the planet’’.
A vegetation community containing five seedlings of gentian has been inventoried
near the potential rock platform, whereas more than 1000 water-hemlock individuals
have been inventoried near the projected jetty area site (PR5.2.1, p. 3-67; Ms. Gisèle
Lamoureux, DM686, p. 16 to 23). According to Environment Canada 2 , habitat
destruction would be the main limiting factor for the gentian and the water-hemlock 3 .
Noting that the proponent has planned the shoreline crossing of small craft when
crossing under the jetty is not allowed, the Panel sees here a factor risking the
destruction of gentian and water-hemlock habitats.
♦ Recommendation 29 — Given the protection statuses of the fringed gentian, Victorin
variety, and the spotted water-hemlock, Victorin variety and the threat facing their
habitats, the Panel recommends that the proponent take measures to protect the
individuals of theses species and their habitats if he develops a crossing over the bank
for small craft. These measures should be implemented following an agreement with
the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs.
1. Op. cit.
2. Environment Canada [On-line: www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/search/speciesDetails_e.cfm?SpeciesID=267].
3. Environment Canada [On-line: www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/search/speciesDetails_e.cfm?SpeciesID=268].
220 Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure