Report - Agence canadienne d'évaluation environnementale

Impacts on the natural environment
considered viable by Nantel et al. (1996). For its part, the CDPNQ considers that a
population of two-leaved toothworts is of low quality if it is below 5,000 bulbs. In these
conditions, the project would not have considerable negative effects on this species.
Pipeline right-of-way
The Platanthera blephariglottis, blephariglottis variety, has no status at the federal
level but is likely to be designated as threatened or vulnerable in Quebec. This
species of the orchid family 1 is found in open and semi-open areas of the peat bogs
and would be relatively common in the area under study (PR3.3.1, p. 2.57; PR3.4.1,
p. 7.13). It is the only protected plant species noted in the pipeline right-of-way during
the inventories. It was observed in six locations along the proposed right-of-way,
totalling 281 individuals (PR3.4.1, p. 7.14). Furthermore, the proponent indicated that
modifying the pipeline’s route would limit transplantation to some thirty individuals
rather than the 281 recorded during the inventories (PR5.2.1, p. 3.67; DQ86.2,
p. 198).
The proponent suggested transplanting, in comparable adjacent environments, all the
individuals inventoried on the areas covered by the work. For its part, the MDDEP
points out that the success rate of the transplantation of threatened seedlings is low
and that this would especially be the case for orchids. However, the Ministère does
not have any data pertaining to transplantation techniques for the platanthera and
anticipated success rates.
♦ Recommendation 33 — Given the absence of data regarding the success potential of
the transplantation of Platanthera blephariglottis, blephariglottis variety, the Panel
recommends that the proponent develop a follow-up program following an agreement
with the ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs.
Environmental monitoring and follow-up
The proponent committed himself to implementing an environmental monitoring plan
during the terminal construction to ensure compliance with government requirements
and to assess the environmental effects of the construction activities. This plan would
focus on the quality of surface water and groundwater, on the ambient noise and the
use of agricultural lands.
During terminal operation, the proponent plans to establish an Environmental
Management System (ISO 14001-2004) in order to determine the impact of his
1. NatureServe Canada [On-line (February 26, 2007): www.natureserve.org/explorer/].
Rabaska Project – Implementation of an LNG Terminal and Related Infrastructure 223