Extension of Highway 5 between Farm Point (Municipality of ... · 8903-07-QA01 3,8 km. Gatineau River. Gatineau River. June 22, 2010. Route 105. La Pêche River. Highway 5. Meech

Extension of Highway 5 between Farm Point (Municipality of Chelsea) and the junction with Route

366 (Municipality of La Pêche)

Summary of the Preliminary Screening Report

Prepared according to the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act

August 2010

Summary1 Background The ministère des Transports du Québec (MTQ), the project proponent, proposes to extend Highway 5 between Farm Point (Municipality of Chelsea) and the junction with Route 366 (Municipality of La Pêche). This section of Highway 5 is part of a broader project that began in the 1970s to improve the Outaouais region’s transportation infrastructure in the north−south direction. In addition to bettering transportation in the region, Highway 5 will improve users’ safety between the urban centres of Gatineau and Ottawa and the Municipality of La Pêche. An initial section of Highway 5 was built between Gatineau and Chelsea in the 1970s. In the early 1990s, a further 2.5-km stretch was built to bypass the town of Wakefield due to significant traffic flow and road safety problems on Route 105 within the boundaries of Wakefield. Finally, construction of a 2.5-km stretch in Chelsea (phase 1) was completed in November 2009. The current screening report concerns the extension of this latter stretch of Highway 5 over a distance of 6.5 km from Farm Point, in the Municipality of Chelsea, to the junction with Route 366, in the Municipality of La Pêche. The project is subject to a screening-level environmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA). A federal environmental assessment is required because: − Transport Canada (TC) is considering funding the project as part of the Outaouais

Road Agreement; − Transport Canada may issue permits under the Navigable Waters Protection Act; − the National Capital Commission (NCC) is considering a transfer of property; − Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) may issue authorizations under the Fisheries Act

for destruction of fish habitat. In addition to the above CEAA triggers, the NCC may issue a Federal Land Use Approval and a Federal Design Approval for the NCC properties affected by the work and issue an access permit for all work on its lands. The responsible authorities have delegated the preparation of the screening report to the MTQ. The present document is a summary of the preliminary report on the screening that was carried out. In 1986, the MTQ conducted an environmental impact study for the extension of Highway 5 between Tenaga and Wakefield, and in 1987, obtained an order-in-council from the Government of Quebec for the extension to be built. In accordance with Quebec’s Environment Quality Act, the impact study was made available for 45 days for the purpose of public information and consultation, as required by the regulations. This did not lead to

1 In case of discrepencies between the English version and the French version, the French version prevails

Extension of Highway 5 between Chelsea and Wakefield - Summary of the Preliminary Screening Report Page 1

public hearings under the province’s BAPE (Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement) process. Project description The planned infrastructure is divided into two sections: one 3.5-km section in the Municipality of Chelsea and one 3.0-km section in the Municipality of La Pêche. The highway will have two lanes in each direction, for the most part separated by a variable-width median strip, within a right-of-way approximately 150 m wide. In certain locations, the two lanes will be adjacent to one another and separated by a guard rail while in other locations they will be up to 120 m apart. The project includes the construction of two full interchanges at Cross-Loop Road (in Chelsea) and Valle Drive (in La Pêche). The former interchange will provide direct, safe access to Meech Creek Valley as well as to Route 105, while the latter will provide access to Routes 105 and 366 as well as to Valley Drive. The Valley Drive interchange will include two traffic circles. An overpass at Carman Road (in Chelsea) will allow traffic to move across the Highway. Finally, the project will also require that bridges be built over Meech Creek and the La Pêche River (Refer to the map herafter). Description of the main environmental effects The study area was defined so as to cover all the valued ecosystem components (VECs) of the receiving environment and to identify as precisely as possible the project’s anticipated direct and indirect environmental impacts. For the purposes of the screening, the study area encompasses the right-of-way for the future Highway 5 from Farm Point to the junction with Route 366 and extends from east to west of the Gatineau River as far as the first topographic highs located west of the right-of-way. It is about 6.5 km in length and its width varies from 1.5 km to 3 km. All features sensitive to the construction, use and presence of road infrastructure were identified, for each of the major biophysical and human VECs. As a first step, an environmental assessment was conducted in order to predict the adverse effects of the project on the environment. Measures were then proposed to mitigate these effects. Finally, the project’s overall environmental impact was assessed in terms of residual effects, i.e. those that persist after mitigation measures were applied. The environmental assessment has determined that building the highway will impact the natural environment by disturbing the soils, air quality, vegetation, water quality, wetlands, drainage, wildlife and wildlife habitat. There will likely be indirect effects on the human environment, as a result of changes to air quality, noise levels and drinking-water supply.



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Outaouais Office Highway 5 Project : 154-84-0226 (20-6672-8471)

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La Pêche Section 8903-07-QA02 3,5 km

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Chelsea Section 8903-07-QA01 3,8 km

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Gatineau River

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Gatineau River

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June 22, 2010

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Route 105

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Valued ecosystem components: In order to limit the adverse effects identified, several mitigation measures are proposed. Adverse impacts and mitigation measures2 are detailed in the table at the end of this document. The following paragraphs provide only an outline. To date, no significant adverse residual effects on the components have been identified. Soils: During the construction phase, several activities will create a risk of soil contamination, whether due to leaks of petroleum products from heavy machinery or accidental spills when petroleum products are being transferred. However, losses or spills of hydrocarbons or other products are generally one-time events and accidental. Mitigation measures will be put in place to contain any spills if required. Surface runoff will result in a degree of soil erosion on the sides of ditches and the banks of watercourses. The activities most likely to result in soil erosion are clearing, grubbing, grading, excavation, movement of fill/excavated materials, as well as construction of bridges and culverts. Since surface deposits on the highway’s right-of-way contain fine sediments, and because the planned alignment crosses many permanent or intermittent streams, applying the proposed mitigation measures will be key to reducing the intensity of this effect. Air quality: The main effect on air quality in the surrounding area will be temporary deterioration during the construction work. Several activities, such as grading and excavation of rights-of-way or the transportation of fill and excavated materials, will result in higher dust concentrations than normal in the surrounding area. The use of machinery will also result in exhaust gas fumes, which will increase concentrations of air pollutants. Since the air quality in the study area is generally good, and given the routine mitigation measures that will be implemented, the intensity of this effect is deemed to be low. It will be temporary and perceptible locally, confined to the right-of-way and proposed alignment as well as along the local roads that will be used by the trucks. Quality of surface water and groundwater: The construction phase entails a risk of chemical spills, including petroleum product spills. Such events are likely to contaminate surface water if they happen near a water body or watercourse. This effect would be temporary (during the construction work) and strictly localized for most of the watercourses due to the small volumes of hazardous products generally used during construction. Several activities, including construction work involving the removal of vegetation and the passage of machinery in areas more vulnerable to erosion, are likely to carry sediments 2 Note that the mitigation measures prescribed in the MTQ Cahier des charges et devis généraux (CCDG) and the September 2008 MTQ document entitled L’environnement dans les projets routiers must be applied to all road projects.


toward watercourses and water bodies. The turbidity of these waters will probably increase temporarily, thus negatively affecting water quality. Routine mitigation measures, including the ones specifically designed for areas near watercourses, will be applied systematically to all water crossings to limit the increase in concentrations of suspended particles. Note also that a portion of Meech Creek that is more vulnerable to erosion will be stabilized using vegetation, riprap and counterweight fills. Experience with other road projects has shown that road de-icing salts have the greatest effect on chloride concentrations in watercourses during snowmelt. At that time of year, the recorded concentrations remain well below the acute toxicity threshold of 860 mg/L established by the MDDEP [ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs), even for watercourses with a small watershed. In order to mitigate this effect, normal surface water drainage will be re-established to foster rapid leaching of de-icing salts toward watercourses. The intensity of the environmental effect associated with the anticipated increase in chlorides in watercourses along the planned highway and downstream from it will be negligible to medium, depending on the size of the watershed of the affected watercourses. With respect to groundwater, the Valle Verde area has a high-quality aquifer that is a good source of drinking water. The water table itself is in artesian conditions and is located under a claypan which protects it against the risk of contamination from the surface. However, the aquifer’s recharge area is located just to the north and is not protected by a layer of clay. This area, which will be crossed by the future highway, and where a rock cut is necessary, may potentially serve as an intake for contaminants into the aquifer, including de-icing salts. In order to protect the source of drinking water, ditches will be surface sealed in the aquifer’s recharge area. Although most of the wells located near the project are hydraulically downgradient from the future highway, most of these represent a low risk of contamination arising from the construction work. The mitigation measures to reduce the use of de-icing salts will reduce the risk of contaminating drinking water sources and a monitoring program will ensure that the opening of the new highway will not result in contamination of wells deemed to be at risk, i.e., those located along the right-of-way or hydraulically downgradient from it. Fish habitat: During the construction phase, many activities, including removal of the riparian vegetation, grading and excavation operations and the installation of culverts, will result in an increase in the quantity of sediments in surface runoff, deterioration of the beds and banks of watercourses, and obstruction of the free passage of fish. However, with respect to the La Pêche River and Meech Creek, DFO has required structures to allow free passage. There will also be impacts from the discharge of toxic substances, such as de-icing salts when the highway is use, and hydrocarbons if there are accidents during construction and use. These activities will therefore affect fish and fish habitats located downstream from the construction sites. The mitigation measures generally recommended by DFO for construction work in fish habitats will be applied to reduce the intensity of this effect.


Fish habitats will be destroyed or will deteriorate as a result of encroachments of water crossing structures (the plans for which will be reviewed by DFO) as well as stabilization measures adjacent to these structures and the stabilization of Meech Creek. The affected habitats are general habitats for the species found in the area (yellow perch, various species of minnow and panfish, bass, stickleback, brook trout). No sensitive or rare habitats will be lost. These habitat losses will be offset by a project for fish habitat creation or improvement approved by DFO. Given the mitigation measures selected to limit the project’s impact on fish habitat and the compensation for potential losses, the intensity of the project’s effects on this component is deemed to be low. The duration of the effect will be permanent and there will be a slight modification of the distribution of aquatic habitats in the study area. Finally, the higher chloride concentrations will be permanent, but they will be localized in extent and occur only in the spring. The potential impact of chlorides on aquatic organisms will decline rapidly downstream from the affected watercourses. Wetlands: Although the project was designed to avoid wetlands as much as possible, some habitats cannot be avoided entirely. The presence of the new road infrastructure will therefore result in the loss of some wetland habitat. The inevitable loss of the wetlands’ ecological functions (hydrological, biochemical, climactic, habitat-related) will be compensated by wetlands with ecological functions that are equal to or greater than those impacted. In short, all inevitable losses of wetland functions will be offset by a project approved by federal authorities. The wetlands compensation project will significantly reduce the project’s effect on this component. Reptiles and amphibians: The environmental impacts on amphibians and reptiles will be the loss or disturbance of their reproduction and feeding habitats and impacts on their movements. The main habitats affected are the aquatic and semi-aquatic areas which these species prefer. Some permanent habitat loss is inevitable. However, Gatineau Park contains a large number of protected habitats near the highway’s right-of-way. Thus, the presence of this vast conservation area will ensure that construction of the highway will not change the quality or integrity of the amphibian and reptilian communities in this area. Birds: The construction work will disturb nesting birds in forests, wetlands and on fallow lands due to noise, traffic and the presence of machinery. To limit the impact of construction work on nesting, the MTQ is planning a period of time during which clearing work will be restricted. The potential disturbance of birds is unlikely to change the quality or environmental integrity of bird communities. The space that the new highway will occupy will reduce the size of the areas that birds can use. Although the loss of nesting and feeding habitats will be permanent, it will not be


significant because it will be limited to the study area, and only a limited number of species and individuals will be affected. Mammals: The environmental impacts on mammals will be the loss or disturbance of their reproduction and feeding habitats and the restriction of their movements. Among the species likely to be affected by the loss of natural land environments are bats, white-tailed deer, moose, black bears, coyotes, grey wolves, raccoons, snowshoe hare, red fox and several species of the weasel family and numerous small mammals (rodents and insectivores). Although the habitat losses will be permanent, they will not be significant because they will be limited to the study area and the quality and integrity of the mammal populations will not be jeopardized by this small loss of habitat. The right-of-way may create a barrier effect for the movement of several species, particularly small ones. However, the two areas to be separated by the future highway are very different in nature. The area west of the highway is essentially conservation-related and it abounds in quality habitats for many wildlife species, while the area to the east has a strong human presence. The species with a large home range that are most likely to want to cross the highway occasionally will be able to continue to do so once the new road opens. A path that will be maintained under the highway along the La Pêche River, as well as the river itself and Meech Creek, will facilitate the movement of wildlife. Measures designed to mitigate the project’s impact on the habitats of the various wildlife groups as well as the mitigation measures for rare species that have been identified in the area in question will limit the project’s impact on them. Vegetation: During the construction phase, the clearing, grading, excavation and ditch digging work for the right-of-way will result in a loss of young and mature forests as well as regenerating stands. However, routine mitigation measures will prevent any unnecessary clearing and protect the surviving stands. Note that for some years now, the MTQ has favoured an ecological approach to managing vegetation next to highways, which involves maintaining herbaceous vegetation in rights-of-way. Trees with a DBH3 of over 10 cm that have to be cut down outside the right-of-way on NCC lands located within Gatineau Park, must be compensated for based on a 2:1 ratio within the Park, whereas trees that have to be cut down inside or outside the right-of-way on NCC lands outside the Park must be compensated for based on a 2:1 ratio either by landscaping within the right-of-way or by other plantings on NCC lands. Rare plant species at risk of being destroyed by the construction work will be transplanted on NCC lands or other lands (as the case may be) or the cut specimen will be compensated by a planting project approved by the expert federal departments. In short, given that

3 DBH: diameter at breast height


habitat losses will be relatively limited, they will not jeopardize the survival of these species in the area. Human environment: During the construction phase, operations involving excavated material can sometimes result in lowering of the water table, which may result in reduced water supply for certain wells used for drinking water. In some cases, blasting can also affect the quantity and quality of well water. Based on the results of well studies, Wakefield’s spring water will not be affected given the significant distance between the spring and the planned construction.4 Two wells belonging to the NCC (one of which is no longer in use) will be closed in the right-of-way. New drinking water sources will be operational before construction work begins to ensure a continuous supply of drinking water (of sufficient quality and quantity) for the four homes served by the well being closed. Given the distance between most sources of drinking water and the future highway and the mitigation measures that will be used, there will be no significant adverse environmental effect on this component. Noise and visual nuisances caused by the construction work will be perceived locally by those living next to the future highway or along the roads to be used by the machinery and trucks. Measures designed to keep clearing to a minimum will reduce such nuisances arising from the highway’s presence and use. Trees and hedges may be preserved or planted along the right-of-way, and there will be a noise abatement program to keep noise levels below an acceptable threshold for buildings located near the construction zone. Results of the Environmental Assessment: Although a project of this scale cannot be carried out without an impact on the natural environment, so far the assessment has not revealed any substantial impacts that cannot be mitigated for any of the physical and biological components likely to be affected by the construction work or by use of the future highway. A table of the anticipated environmental effects and the measures proposed to mitigate these effects follows.

4 Refer to the MTQ web site for more information regarding Wakefield’s spring water source.


Affected component

Sources of the environmental

effects

Nature of the environmental effects (description) Required mitigation measures – Follow-up program

Significance of the

residual effects

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Soil General

construction activities

Risk of soil contamination during the work

Due to leaks of petroleum products from heavy machinery or accidental spills when petroleum products are being transferred.

Routine measures

2) Keep an emergency spill kit on site at all times in order to provide the capability to respond in the event of leaks or spills of hydrocarbons or any other deleterious substances. In the event of a minor accidental spill, stop the leak, contain the substance and recover it as quickly as possible using appropriate equipment. Properly store soiled materials and contaminated soil.

3) Take the usual precautions concerning the maintenance and refuelling of transport vehicles and machinery on the work site. Refuelling will be carried out within areas designated for this purpose and located more than 60 metres from any waterbody.

4) Develop an emergency response plan and be prepared to implement it in the event of an accidental spill of contaminants. Post, in appropriate locations clearly visible to workers at all times during construction, a notice indicating the telephone number for reporting environmental emergencies as well as the names and telephone numbers of the emergency measures officers, with a description of the process for reporting emergencies.

Specific measures

6) Ensure that machinery is clean and leak-free on arrival at the work site and subsequently maintain the machinery in this condition by carrying out regular inspections. Refuelling, maintenance and necessary repairs shall be carried out on a site designated for this purpose located at least 60 metres from any waterbody.

7) No storage of hydrocarbons or other hazardous products will be permitted within 30 metres of any waterbody.

10) Before work begins, mark the limits of the planned excavation area, identify the clearing and soil stripping areas as well as the areas to be cut down to the ground and use vehicles adapted to the soil’s bearing capacity. Protect wetlands with protection fences. Restrict the movement of vehicles and machinery to the work areas and designated access points.

11) Materials and waste will be disposed of at an appropriate site in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Quebec Department of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (MDDEP).

13) Adhere to the principle of the 4R’s in waste management; disposal should be the last resort.

Not significant


Affected component

Sources of the environmental

effects

Nature of the environmental effects (description) Required mitigation measures – Follow-up program

Significance of the

residual effects

Risk of soil erosion, movement and compaction during the work

This risk is influenced by the type of soil and soil slope, as well as the period during which the work is carried out. In the work area, the banks of Meech Creek and of tributary T20201 of stream No. 2 are considered the sites most at risk.

Routine measures

10)

14) Application of erosion protection measures, particularly bank and slope stabilization.

15) Before work begins, mark the limits of the planned excavation area, identify the clearing and soil stripping areas as well as the areas to be cut down to the ground and use vehicles adapted to the soil’s bearing capacity. Protect wetlands with protection fences.

16) In a 20-m-wide strip along streams, the vegetation cover (shrub stratum) must be preserved until work begins and trees are to be cut to the ground level in order to preserve the stumps. In a 5 m wide strip on either side of streams, trees more than 10 cm in diameter must be cut down individually.

Specific measures

17) Use trench boxes or a movable shoring/support system to maintain unstable soil and prevent any rock slides on stream banks.

18) Avoid creating holes and ruts that restrict surface water runoff and soil infiltration by using vehicles adapted to the soil’s bearing capacity and taking care not to operate vehicles on wet soil.

19) Schedule work outside the period of heavy precipitation and flooding (from mid-March to late May) for the areas most at risk (specify where work is to be restricted).

20) Recover the topsoil excavated from Gatineau Park lands and store it separately so that it can be reused to rehabilitate park sites during landscaping work.

21) In the areas most vulnerable to erosion, stabilize the soil as the work progresses, through vegetation stabilization or by using surface protection materials (spreading mulch, wood fibre blankets, geotextile membranes).

22) Install protective riprap on the right bank of Meech Creek, upstream of the bridge, in order to stabilize a section of the stream bank that is particularly vulnerable to erosion. 23) Movement of vehicles or machinery and the storage of any equipment, vehicles, machinery, waste or other materials outside the limits of the designated work area, even on a temporary basis, in Gatineau Park (NCC land) will be strictly prohibited.

24) If movement of machinery is necessary in the root zone of certain trees that are to be preserved, the contractor will be required to carry out the prescribed protection measures, which include spreading a thick temporary layer of wood chips to prevent soil compaction.

25) Due to the stabilization work on the right bank of Meech Creek, monitoring over a five-year period will be necessary in order to assess the impacts on Meech Creek (water quality, velocity), left and right banks, and to determine and carry out any work necessary to offset these impacts.

Not significant


Air quality General


Temporary deterioration of air quality during the work

Some work-related activities will cause an increase in dust in the vicinity of the work site. In addition, operation of motorized machinery and vehicles in the work area will emit pollutants into the air. The areas most vulnerable to this effect are those where homes are located less than 100 m from the right-of-way. These are essentially Chemin du Croissant and Chemin du Lac Brown.

Routine measures

27) Application of water or dust control agent, using watering trucks, on unpaved surfaces exposed to wind and erosion, in order to minimize dust by keeping the soil wet.

Specific measures

28) Vehicles will be tested to ensure that they are in good working order (particularly exhaust systems).

29) Turn off the engines of all motorized equipment on the sites when not being used.

30) Stabilize spoil piles and water as often as necessary (twice a day) to prevent them from entering waterbodies and maintain adequate moisture content. A biodegradable tarp will be used to cover surplus excavated soil when prolonged storage is anticipated (at the end of the work season) in order to minimize dust and sediment emissions. The piles can also be seeded, preferably with native grasses or shrubs.

31) New or well-maintained machinery and heavy equipment, preferably equipped with dampers, a muffler and engine exhaust system, and engine covers, will be used.

33) Construction activities that have the potential to release airborne particles will be avoided during extended periods of drought and high winds.

34) Movement of machinery on exposed soil will be minimized.

35) Disturbed areas will be rehabilitated as soon as possible in order to reduce the duration of soil exposure.

Not significant

Surface water quality

General construction

activities

Risk of surface water contamination during the work

Activities that create a risk of soil contamination are also likely to cause contamination of surface water. The sites at highest risk in the project area are the streams that flow through the planned work area.

Routine measures

2) 3) 4)

Specific measures

6) 7) 10) 11) 19) 26) 30)

36) Minimize the movement of machinery near stream banks and in streams and use the lightest equipment possible.

37) Take steps to prevent the entry of deleterious substances in streams.

39) Vegetate any disturbed areas by planting and seeding native trees, shrubs or grasses, and cover such areas with mulch to prevent erosion and help seeds germinate. If there is insufficient time remaining in the growing season, the site should be stabilized (e.g. cover exposed areas with erosion control blankets to keep the soil in place and prevent erosion) and vegetated thefollowing spring.

Not significant


Temporary deterioration of water quality due to sediment input in streams

The construction phase is accompanied by an increased risk of soil erosion, which, in places, may promote resuspension of sediments in the streams and increase turbidity. Meech Creek is considered the stream at greatest risk since it flows through an unstable area susceptible to erosion.

Routine measures

14) 15) 16)

40) Install retention structures (filter berms, sediment traps, sediment barriers, sedimentation basins and ditches) of sufficient width to prevent sediments from entering waterbodies.

41) Construction of ditches to prevent entry of sediments into streams.

42) Cofferdams for the construction of watercourse structures should be used in a manner that minimizes sediment suspension.

Specific measures

10) 17) 19) 21) 22) 36)

43) In order to reduce the risk of sediment suspension in Meech Creek, machinery shall operate from the bank of Meech Creek and a turbidity curtain must first be installed in the stream over a sufficient width and for the entire depth, downstream of the proposed structure. A geotextile barrier must also be installed between the main work area and Meech Creek, including its tributaries. Finally, stabilization work must be carried out from upstream to downstream during the summer low water period. 44) Operate machinery on land (above the high-water mark) and in a manner that minimizes disturbance to the banks of the waterbody.

45) When work must be carried out near streams or stream banks, such as filling or excavation, fine sediment barriers shall be installed at the ground level along the stream banks over a distance extending slightly beyond the boundaries of the designated work area. The fine sediment barriers shall remain in place until the disturbed areas have been completely revegetated. Inspect the barriers regularly and make all necessary repairs if any damage occurs.

46) Erosion and sediment control measures (such as turbidity curtains) shall be instituted downstream of the proposed structure in order to prevent suspended matter from entering surface water near the perimeter of waterbodies and watercourses (wetlands, streams, lakes, etc.) and extending onto the adjoining ground surface and shall remain in place until the spring of the year following completion of the work in the respective areas. At the end of the flood periods, around late May of the following year, the sediment and erosion control measures shall be removed from the site.

47) Design bridges so that stormwater runoff from the bridge deck, side slopes and approaches is directed into a retention pond or vegetated area to remove suspended solids, dissipate velocity and prevent sediment and other deleterious substances from entering streams.

49) Since the type of soil on the banks of Meech Creek is highly erodable (e.g. dominated by organic materials and silts) and erosion and degradation are likely to occur as a result of equipment fording, a temporary stream crossing structure or other measure should be used to protect these areas.

Not significant


Removal of vegetation within the right-of-way as well as potentially on several lots owned by the NCC, within and outside of Gatineau Park

Clearing, grading, excavation and ditch digging in the right-of-way will result in a maximum loss of 56.5 ha of young or mature forests, plus a maximum surface area of 31.7 ha of regenerating forest stands, for a total of 88.2 ha. Mixed stands will be most affected (maximum of 35.5 ha). Note: The figures are subject to minor adjustments.

Routine measures

55) Minimize the areas to cleared, i.e. only what is necessary to allow access of construction machinery and construction of the project components, and preserve the vegetation by carefully marking the areas to be cleared and avoiding clearing beyond these marked areas. Protect the trees that are to be preserved by installing a tree protection zone around all trees likely to be damaged, and cut down trees so that the direction of fall is within the areas to be cleared.

56) Retain Chip wood residues and use the chips as a soil stabilizer during rehabilitation of disturbed areas. Store the topsoil removed for later use.

Specific measures

20) 23) 24)

59) Ensure that large diameter at breast height trees are saved and bypassed as much as reasonably possible.

60) Compensate 2:1 for cut trees (other than butternut) with a diameter at breast height of 10 cm or more with other trees comprised of species native to this region or to Gatineau Park (as applicable). The tree planting plan will have to be approved by the NCC. Compensation for cutting down butternuts will have to be approved by Environment Canada through a permit under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

61) The commitment on plants is as follows: all trees damaged in the first five years must be replaced; all other damaged plants must be replaced if the mortality rate exceeds 30% for cuttings and 20% for shrubs, perennials and aquatic plants. The conditions of planted and established plants and the stabilization of the banks by plants shall also be monitored every year at the start of the summer for five years in order to provide any further mitigation.

62) On the slopes constructed in the right-of-way, on ramps and bridges, plant species with good soil retention characteristics, such as dogwoods, willows, etc., specifically for Cross Loop Road, Carmen Road, Valley Road, the bridges on Meech Creek and the bridges on La Pêche River will be planted.

63) Revegetate stream banks with species native to this region or to Gatineau Park (as applicable) using a diversity of species of various sizes, and monitor planting success over five years. The landscaping plan will have to be approved by the NCC.

Not significant Vegetation


activities

Completion of the work and access to the site could potentially disturb and/or damage existing vegetation outside the work areas.

Specific measures

10) 11) 24) 39)

64) Use existing trails, roads or cut lines wherever possible to avoid disturbance to the riparian, forest and other vegetation.

65) Vegetation removal should be kept to a minimum and clearing should be limited to the designated areas. Where practicable, prune or top the vegetation instead of uprooting.

69) If special status species are present, they must, wherever possible, be protected during the work, and plans shall be drawn up in order to avoid or bypass them. If this is not feasible, special status species must be relocated to areas suitable to their survival.

70) Areas damaged by the construction work should be replanted with non-invasive native plants adapted to the local conditions.

72) Add appropriate vegetation for the restoration of streams and stream bank protection.

Not significant


Stream crossing and

reconfiguration

Loss of riparian vegetation

At the various stream crossing sites, the riparian vegetation will have to be removed in order to install the necessary infrastructure. Riparian vegetation will be permanently removed in parts of the affected areas, while in other parts the effect will be temporary since the vegetation will be able to regenerate after the work.

Routine measures

16) 55)

Specific measures

23) 24) 59) 61) 63) 66)

73) Depending on the conditions, plant native shrub species less sensitive to de-icing salts, such as speckled alder, willow and red-osier dogwood, on the embankments of structures in order to accelerate the restoration of riparian vegetation. For activities that might affect NCC land, the plant species used to reconstitute the riparian strip will have to be native to Gatineau Park, non-invasive and approved by the NCC.

In connection with this monitoring, a survey of special-status plant species and all of the wetlands must be carried out on the left bank of Meech Creek before completion of the construction work.

Not significant


and maintenance

activities

Modification of roadside plant communities

Roadside vegetation could be affected by the project. In fact, during the construction phase, the work is likely to cause soil compaction, changes to the hydrologic regime, as well as injuries to the trunks and roots of trees located along the work area. When the highway is in use, the spreading of de-icing salts will tend to favour halophytic species.

Routine measures

N.B.: Measures aimed at minimizing the effect of chlorides on surface water quality and measures aimed at preventing damage to vegetation that is to be preserved will also help reduce the project’s effect on this component.

Specific measures

61)

75) A landscape architect will have to monitor the planting of vegetation on the erosion protection structure along Meech Creek.

76) The conditions of establishment of these plants and of the stabilization of the banks by plants shall be monitored every year at the start of the summer for five years in order to allow any additional mitigation to be carried out and ensure effectiveness of the measures.

Not significant


Wetlands General


Wetland loss or degradation

Wetlands MH1, MH2, MH3 and MHX could be affected by the work since they drain toward the highway route.

Note: New surveys to assess the net loss of wetland functions are currently under way, which could change the nature of the effects on this component.

Specific measures

77) The boundaries of all wetlands on federal lands that may potentially be impacted by the work must be clearly marked in the field by installing wooden stakes.

79) Carry out beatouts in the wetlands and aquatic environments before carrying out the excavation or fill work in order to scare any wildlife. The animals observed must be captured alive and immediately transported to another similar environment that will not be affected by the work.

80) The project shall be carried out in a manner that does not modify the natural drainage pattern of the wetlands outside of and within the highway right-of-way and does not impact their ecological functions. All impacts on ecological functions must be minimized and/or compensated.

81) Following analysis of the ecological functions of the wetlands, the proponent shall present to the responsible federal authorities a compensation project for wetlands with an ecological capacity that is equal to or greater than those impacted. The proponent must demonstrate that the ecological functions of the wetlands affected can in fact be replaced (compensated). Compensation of net losses of ecological functions on NCC land is required. The principle of no net loss must be adhered to.

82) Compensation on NCC land (within or outside the park) or in the National Capital Region is required for wetlands on NCC land that will be impacted by construction of the highway.

83) The compensation areas shall be monitored for the first five years following their establishment. The wetlands impacted by the construction work and operation of the highway shall be monitored for the first five years following completion of the work. The results of this monitoring shall be forwarded to TC and to the Environmental Services group at the NCC.

Not significant

Special status plant species


activities

Loss or degradation of special status plant species or habitats suitable for these species

Clearing of the right-of-way will result in the destruction of certain plants belonging to special status species, i.e. wild leek and butternut. Six species considered vulnerable to commercial harvesting have also been identified in the right-of-way.

N.B.: Measures aimed at minimizing clearing will also help mitigate the effect on this component since they will help reduce habitat losses.

Specific measures

84) If NCC land outside the right-of-way that has not been inventoried to date is likely to be affected by the work, this land will also have to be inventoried before the NCC can make a decision on the acceptability of the work.

85) Transplant special status plant species (such as wild leek present in part of vegetation station S5, healthy butternuts and other special status species) found on NCC land or on other land that will be impacted by the work. These species will have to be transplanted to Gatineau Park or other property (as applicable) in an appropriate environment that will not be affected by the work.

86) Mark the healthy butternut(s) to be protected by installing a protection fence during the clearing work.

87) Cutting down of butternuts (healthy or not) shall be compensated by a planting in Gatineau Park in accordance with the compensation ratio recommended by Environment Canada. The appropriate habitat for the planting will have to be approved by the expert federal departments (EC and NRCan) and the responsible authorities.

88) Carry out monitoring over five years (in accordance with the requirements of the SARA permit) and submit an annual report on the health status findings to TC and to the Environmental Services group at the NCC.

89) For butternuts infected by butternut canker that are to be cut down, it is important to dispose of all woody material from these trees (trunks, branches, twigs) in accordance with the methods prescribed by Natural Resources Canada in order to prevent the risk of spread of the disease.

Not significant


Fish and fish habitat

Stream crossing and

reconfiguration

Suspension of fine particles in fish habitat

During the work, various activities could increase the turbidity of surface water, which may adversely affect fish and fish habitat located downstream of the sites. Of the permanent streams affected by the work, La Pêche River, Meech Creek and stream No. 2 are considered the most valued. It will be recalled that Meech Creek is the most vulnerable to increased turbidity.

Routine measures

14) 15) 16) 40) 42)

Specific measures

21) 22) 43)

90) The detailed plans for the counterweight fills, riprap and addition of fish habitat proposed for Meech Creek will have to be authorized by Fisheries and Oceans Canada as well as the NCC for its property.

91) No fill work shall be carried out on the banks of Meech Creek in the 100-year flood floodplain. The 100-year-flood floodplains shall be shown on the plans submitted to contractors.

92) A work restriction period from May 1 to July 1 shall be followed for work to be carried out on La Pêche River in order to protect the potential smallmouth bass spawning grounds located downstream.

93) Construct culverts by complying with the mitigation measures set out in the guides Bonnes pratiques pour la conception et l’installation de ponceaux permanents de moins de 25 mètres [Best practices for the design and installation of permanent culverts less than 25 metres] (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2007) and Recommandations pour la conception des traversées de cours d’eau où le libre passage des poissons doit être assuré [Recommendations for the design of stream crossings where the free passage of fish must be ensured] (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2007).

94) Build clear-span bridges and comply with the mitigation measures specified in the l’Énoncé opérationnel pour le Québec relatif aux ponts à portée libre [Operational statement for Quebec concerning clear-span bridges] (Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 2006).

95) When carrying out work in fish habitat, follow the mitigation measures recommended by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).

96) Restore degraded wildlife habitat areas in the vicinity.

Not significant

Habitat loss and alteration for aquatic wildlife

Note: More recent information may alter the figures slightly.

The project will result in the destruction of approximately 570 m2 of habitat and the harmful alteration of some 2,350 m2 of habitat. There will also be temporary disruption of some 390 m2 of habitat during the work. There will be no destruction of highly valued habitats because stream No. 2 will not be affected by the work, whereas the bridge abutments to be installed on the La Pêche River will be located outside the NHWM. The installation of a culvert perpendicular to Highway 5 on stream No. 3 combined with the increase in length of the stream due to its rerouting west of Highway 5 will reduce habitat losses in this stream.

Routine measures

97) The culvert in stream No. 3 will be buried and it should be possible to install it on a slight slope so as to facilitate its use by fish.

98) A fish habitat compensation program is required and will have to be authorized by Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the NCC (for its lands). The program will create new aquatic habitats in Meech Creek, along the riprap. The re-routing of portions of stream No. 3 (outside the culvert) will be done in such a way as to recreate fish habitat at least equivalent to what existed under natural conditions (auto compensation).

Specific measures

93) 94) 95)

99) Avoid impacting species of special status during the excavation of the shorelines and lands for the creation of fish habitat. If this is impossible, species of special status will have to be relocated to sites favourable to their survival.

Not significant


Reptiles and Amphibians


activities

Adverse effects on reptiles and amphibians due to loss, fragmentation and/or disturbance of their breeding and feeding habitat or movements

Specific measures

99)

Note: The measures designed to limit the effects of the project on wetlands will also mitigate the effect on this component since they will reduce habitat losses for reptiles and amphibians.

102) Comply with a restriction period for the partial drainage of wetlands MH4 and MH9 to avoid the breeding season of the frog species that occur there and to allow them to find alternative breeding habitats. This period would run from April to June for wetland MH4, which supports spring peepers, and from April to August for wetland MH9, which supports four frog species.

103) Create suitable turtle nesting habitat near the previously identified nesting habitat but far enough from the highway to ensure their survival and to compensate for habitat loss. Monitoring will have to be carried out over a three-year period to assess the use of the nesting site.

Not significant

Birds General


Disturbance of breeding pairs along the edge of the right-of-way

The work could result in the disturbance of birds due to noise, traffic and machinery. Birds may temporarily avoid the work area, which could adversely affect reproduction of several species (including the nesting and rearing of young).

Specific measures

104) Land clearing and construction activities should not be carried out during the migratory bird nesting and breeding season (April 1 to August 15).

106) Develop and implement a management plan to reduce the risk of impacts and to mitigate any inevitable impact on nests.

108) Workers must keep the work site clean and must not leave behind garbage or food scraps that could attract animals or alter their behaviour.

Not significant

Mammals

General site preparation and


Adverse effects on wildlife due to loss, disturbance and/or fragmentation of their breeding and feeding habitat or movements

Specific measures

11) 96) 108)

109) Plan tree planting so as to create, wherever possible, wildlife corridors (areas of contiguous habitat) connecting areas that will remain wooded, keeping them at a sufficient distance from the highway in order to compensate for habitat loss.

112) Encourage the installation of signs or symbols warning of animal crossings, speed limits at night, etc.

Not significant

Species of special status


activities

Adverse effects on species of special status due to loss, disturbance and/or fragmentation of their breeding and feeding habitat or movements

Specific measures

Note: The measures designed to limit the effects of the project on wetlands will also mitigate the effect on this component.

21) 22) 43) 90) 91) 92) 93) 94) 95) 96) 104) 106) 108) 109) 112)

114) Create suitable Blanding’s turtle nesting habitat near previously recorded habitat but far enough from the highway to ensure their survival and to compensate for habitat loss. Monitoring over a five-year period is required.

115) The site where several smooth green snakes were found during the survey will have to be searched just before the work begins in order to capture any specimens that may occur there and relocate them to a suitable site.

Not significant


Inconveniences/interruptions for users of the trails and parking lot P-17

The construction work could have an adverse effect on users of recreational trails and parking lot P-17. The use of the trails could be affected during the work.

Routine measures 119) If the work temporarily blocks passage along the La Pêche River, a trail will be built to allow for passage on either side of the highway. Specific measures 120) Safe public access to the NCC parking lots and safe use of the recreational trails by the public must be maintained at all times. 121) A park access management plan is requested for parking lot P-17 and the trails running off it. The plan will have to be authorized by the NCC. 122) Parking lot P-17 in Gatineau Park will have to be relocated before eliminating access to the current P-17.

Not significant

Potential impact on human health and public safety

Specific measures

120) 121) 122)

125) Prior to commencement of the work, the location and condition of underground utility lines will be established and confirmed.

126) Comply with the set speed limits and limit the speed of vehicles on the work site.

127) Heavy machinery must have a backup alarm.

130) Heavy vehicle traffic will be restricted to the hours allowed by the municipal bylaws.

Not significant

Recreation/tourism activities and equipment


activities

Activities and access to Gatineau Park

During the work, roads providing access to the west side of the right-of-way could be temporarily blocked, and activities on the work site could cause disturbances to users of certain sectors of the park.

Routine measures

131) Access to Gatineau Park from the east side of the right-of-way will remain possible at all times during the work via bypasses, installed as required, with proper signage for both vehicles and users of recreational trails.

Note: The measures designed to address noise impacts and aesthetic concerns will also reduce the impact of the project of this component

Specific measures

120) 121) 122)

Not significant

Navigation

Stream crossing and re-routing

(La Pêche River)

Possible restriction of boating activities

The new works that will be constructed on the La Pêche River and Meech Creek will be no more restrictive to boating than the existing works, thereby significantly limiting the extent of this effect. It should be noted that these two streams are not suitable for such activities.

Note: The measures provided by Transport Canada’s Navigable Waters Protection group will be implemented as required. The MTQ will have to meet the conditions issued as part of the NWPA approval.

Specific measures

133) Install temporary signage prohibiting access to ensure the safety on the La Pêche River during bridge construction. The signage will have to be removed following completion of bridge construction.

Not significant


Archaeology and heritage


activities

Risk of disturbance of yet-to-be-discovered archaeological remains

The various site setup, earthwork, grading or excavation activities could cause the deterioration of yet-to-be-discovered archaeological or historical sites or remains.

Routine measures

134) If archaeological remains are accidentally discovered during construction, work will halt at that location until a complete evaluation of the site is conducted. The Outaouais regional branch of the Quebec Department of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women (819-772-3002) will be contacted in the event of the discovery of heritage resources and the local police will be contacted in the event of the discovery of human remains. The discovery site could be the subject of an evaluation by a professional archaeologist.

Specific measures

135) The NCC’s Senior Land Use Planner (613-239-5462) and Archaeologist, Heritage Program (613-239-5751), will have to be informed of any discovery of heritage resources or human remains on NCC property. The discovery site could be the subject of an evaluation by a professional archaeologist.

Not significant

Reduction in drinking water supplies associated with water table drawdown

Excavation operations carried out during the work may occasionally result in water table drawdown, which could lead to reductions in water levels in some drinking water wells. In some cases, blasting operations could also have an effect on the quantity and quality of well water. In this case, six wells have been identified as being at risk for this impact, namely wells P23 to P28. In addition, two wells owned by the NCC are located on the highway right-of-way (P20 and P21). Well P20 is no longer operational and well P21 supplies several residences.

Routine measures

139) A new source of drinking water will be brought online before the work begins in order to ensure a continuous supply of drinking water (in compliance with federal guidelines for Canadian drinking water quality) for the few residences served by well P21, which will have to be closed.

(The long-term monitoring of drinking water wells by MTQ will make it possible to ensure that the wells considered at risk continue to provide adequate supplies to affected residents. Corrective measures will be taken if necessary.)

Specific measures

140) Wells at risk will be the subject of a monitoring program, as will other wells selected from among those considered safe (including the well that is fed by the spring on Valley Road in Wakefield). Analyses will be carried out on the water quality of these wells each spring for a period of at least two years following completion of the project.

In cases where the water quality is not affected, monitoring will terminate after the two-year period. In cases where the water quality falls below the acceptable criteria respecting domestic consumption and where the cause of this deterioration is associated with the implementation of the project, environmental monitoring will be extended by at least one year and measures will be taken by MTQ to correct the problem(s).

Not significant

Groundwater quality


activities

Risk of contamination of drinking water supplies

The closure of the NCC’s Valle Verde wells and the digging of new wells may cause contamination of the aquifer.

Note: The drinking water well monitoring that will be carried out by MTQ will make it possible to ensure that the wells considered to be at risk continue to provide adequate water supplies to affected residents. Corrective measures will be taken, if necessary.

Specific measures

141) Define the boundaries of the aquifer recharge area of Valle Verde that is at risk of contamination due to the required rock blasting before the construction work begins.

Not significant


Groundwater

quantity General


Reduction in drinking water supplies associated with water table drawdown

Note: The long-term drinking water well monitoring that will be carried out by the MTQ will make it possible to ensure that the well considered to be at risk, as well as other wells selected from among the wells deemed safe (including the well fed by the spring on Valley Road in Wakefield), continue to provide adequate water supplies, in terms of quantity, to affected residents. Corrective measures will be taken if necessary.

Specific measures

139)

143) Pumping tests will be carried out on the six wells identified as being at risk of impact by the rock blasting operations and on the well of the Wakefield Mill Inn and Spa and MacLaren House before the work begins.

Not significa

nt

Noise and aesthetics


activities

Disturbance of residents during the work

The presence of the work site and the various construction activities that will be carried out at the site are likely to have impacts on nearby residents, both in terms of noise and aesthetics. The impacts are likely to be felt primarily by residents within 300 m of the highway right-of-way (74 residences).

Routine measures

144) For buildings located near the work area, a noise control program will be implemented to keep noise levels below an acceptable threshold.

145) Motorized equipment and other noisy equipment must be equipped with mufflers, acoustic enclosures or other noise-control devices.

146) The rock blasting work will have to be carried out in accordance with accepted practices.

Specific measures

147) When not in use, turn off all motorized equipment used at the sites.

148) If necessary, use acoustic enclosures or temporary noise barriers (ex: fabric, earth berms, etc.).

149) Advise residents of construction schedules, specifically for work that generates specific nuisances (ex: blasting, etc.).

Not significant

Road traffic General


Road safety during the work

During construction of the highway, there will be increased truck and other heavy-vehicle traffic on roads in the area, which is likely to temporarily increase the risk of accidents.

Routine measures

126) 153) Take the necessary measures to avoid traffic interruptions. Proper signage will be installed during the work to inform road users of potential risks and bypasses, where applicable. 154) Establish traffic management plans and drawings and ensure rigorous compliance by the contractor during the performance of the work. Specific measures 155) The traffic management plans will have to indicate when to use flaggers, public notices and appropriate signage. 156) The site supervisor must ensure the safety of users of roads/trails by means of appropriate signage.

Not significant


OPERATIONAL PHASE

Presence of the highway and

highway infrastructure

Risk of soil erosion and displacement during use of the highway

The highway and its related infrastructure will be located on unstable sectors due to the considerable presence of clay soil, which characterizes the study area. These sectors are susceptible to instability, erosion and landslides.

Specific measures

22) 25)

Not significant

Soil

Use of the road

Risk of soil contamination during road accidents

The use of all roads by vehicles carries the risk of chemical spills to the environment, particularly during road accidents. In this case; however, the opening of the new highway will result in a reduced risk of accidents.

Note: The Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations, the heavy vehicle transportation safety standards and the Responsible Care program of the Canadian Chemical Producers’ Association will be followed and thus will contribute to reducing this risk.

Specific measures

11)

26) Ship contaminated soil to authorized landfills.

Not significant

Surface water quality Maintenance

Risk of surface water contamination by deicing salts during operations

Winter maintenance of the new highway will require regular use of deicing salts, which could be carried by runoff to nearby streams during snowmelt. Maximum chloride concentrations will be reached in the spring, in streams characterized by smaller watersheds.

Routine measures

51) Respect and reestablish, where necessary, normal surface-water flows primarily near poorly drained areas and depressions to avoid the accumulation of chlorides along the road.

(Once adopted, the Quebec strategy for environmental management of road salts will also contribute to reducing the undesirable effects of chlorides in the receiving environment.)

Specific measures

52) Apply proper measures to limit inputs of deicing salts to natural areas, without compromising road safety.

53) Minimize the use of herbicides and chemical maintenance products on roadsides.

54) A monitoring program is required over a three-year period to assess the impacts of deicing salts draining from the highway to NCC property (specifically streams and wetlands).

Not significant


Wetlands Presence and use of the road

Loss or degradation of wetlands

Note: More recent information may alter the figures slightly.

Since there are wetlands in the right-of-way of the future highway, the project will involve drainage of a number of the wetlands. The largest wetland that will be affected by the project is MH9 (0.9 ha). Approximately 0.4 ha of this area will be filled. Wetlands MH4 (semi-permanent) and MH5 (temporary), each of which cover roughly 0.12 ha, will also be partially filled. Over 90% of wetland MH4 may be conserved, whereas wetland MH5 will be 50% filled. Wetlands MH7 and MH8, which are small (< 50 m2) and of little ecological significance, will be entirely filled. The other wetlands, including MH3, which are of greatest ecological significance, will not be affected by the work.

Specific measures

80) 81) 82) 83)

Not significant

Fish and fish habitat Maintenance

Effects of inputs of sand, silt and materials used in deck repairs, such as concrete and asphalt, and other harmful substances (e.g., salt, paint, solvents, oil and grease) into waterbodies

The winter maintenance of the new highway will require the regular application of deicing salts, which could be will be washed into streams during snowmelt. This could have adverse effects on aquatic wildlife, including fish. Stream No. 3 is considered to be the most sensitive to this effect, followed by Tributary T10301 of the La Pêche River and stream No. 4.

The bridge maintenance activities may have adverse impacts on fish and fish habitat as a result of inputs of sand, sediments and harmful substances (e.g., salt, paint, solvents, oil and grease) to streams.

Routine measures

51)

Note: Once adopted, the Quebec strategy for environmental management of road salts will also contribute to reducing the undesirable effects of chlorides on the receiving environment.

Specific measures

100)

Not significant


Reptiles and amphibians

Presence and use of the road

Loss, fragmentation or degradation of reptile and amphibian breeding and feeding habitat

The presence of the future highway right-of-way and new road infrastructure will encroach on a number of habitats currently used by reptiles and amphibians. The most suitable habitats for these species within the right-of-way are two wetlands (MH9 and MH4) and two terrestrial areas (young conifer forest and a dump).

Note: The measures designed to limit land clearing, fish habitat losses and effects on wetlands will also make it possible to mitigate the effect on this component since they will reduce habitat losses for reptiles and amphibians.

Specific measures

100) 102)

(Due to the presence of an asphalt shoulder and vegetated embankment for the entire length of the right-of-way, the area bordering the highway will not be suitable for egg-laying by turtles, thus reducing the risk of collisions.)

Not significant

Birds Presence and use of the road

Habitat loss, fragmentation or degradation of birds species breeding and feeding habitat

The new right-of-way will result in permanent habitat loss for several bird species, particularly forest birds. The project will result in habitat destruction of about 362 breeding pairs of forest birds. For bird species typical of old fields, it is estimated that approximately 485 pairs will be affected. In this case, some pairs will be able to use the new open environment alongside the future highway. Since the areas that will be cleared will be approximately 20 to 30% smaller than the area of the right-of-way, the total number of breeding pairs affected is also likely to be smaller (roughly 600 to 650 pairs).

Note: The measures designed to limit land clearing will also help mitigate the effect on this component since they will reduce habitat losses.

Specific measures

Note: The measures designed to limit the effects on wetland MH3 will also mitigate the effects on this component since they will reduce habitat losses.

2) 11) 26) 109)

Not significant


Loss or degradation of suitable mammal habitat

The new right-of-way will result in permanent habitat loss for several mammal species. These losses essentially affect habitats that are currently in a natural state, including young and mature forests (less than 56.5 ha) and forest regeneration (less than 31.7 ha).

Note: The measures designed to limit land clearing will also help mitigate the effects on this component since they will reduce habitat losses.

Not

significant

Mammals Presence and use of the road

Limitation of wildlife movements

The presence of the highway could create a barrier effect for several species of mammals, particularly small species, which are generally less mobile, but often highly abundant.

Note: The passage that will be maintained under the La Pêche River bridge to mitigate the effect of the project on recreation/tourism activities is also likely to promote wildlife movements on either side of the highway in this sector.

Not significant

Species of special status


Loss or degradation of habitats suitable for species of special status

The new right-of-way will result in permanent habitat loss for certain species at risk. The surveys identified seven of these species in the sector of the project, namely one fish (margined madtom), five reptiles (Northern water snake, Eastern milk snake, smooth green snake, Blanding’s turtle and snapping turtle) and one bird (Nelson’s sparrow).

Notes: The measures designed to limit land clearing and habitat loss for fish will also mitigate the effect on this component since it will reduce habitat losses.

The measures designed to limit the effects on the La Pêche River, Meech Creek and the wetlands will also mitigate the effect on this component since they will reduce habitat losses.

Not significant

Agricultural land Presence and use of the road

Loss of cultivated fields

The new right-of-way will encroach on approximately 41.6 ha of cropland. However, the land is either owned by MTQ or the NCC. It is agreed that agricultural activities within the right-of-way are temporary and will cease when the project is implemented.

Specific measures

10) 11) 23) 24) 65) 72)

136) Vehicles must be parked in the designated areas.

138) Cultivated areas outside the right-of-way that are damaged by any associated construction work will have to be restored for agricultural use.

Not significant


Groundwater quality Maintenance

Risk of contamination of drinking water sources

The winter use of deicing salts on the new road infrastructure could result in contamination of groundwater used as a source of drinking water. In this particular case, six wells have been identified as being at risk for this effect, namely wells P23 to P28 (and potentially the new wells replacing P21).

Notes: The measures designed to limit the effect of chlorides in surface waters will also reduce the effect on this component.

The monitoring of the drinking water wells by MTQ will make it possible to ensure that the wells considered to be at risk continue to adequately supply potentially affected residents. Corrective measures will be taken if necessary.

Specific measures

11) 26) 53)

142) The ditches of the new road infrastructure will be waterproofed in the vicinity of the aquifer recharge area of Vallee Verde in order to protect this source of high-quality drinking water.

Not significant

Disturbance of residents and disruption of wildlife species during the use of the highway and during maintenance activities

The opening of the new highway will result in changes in noise levels and aesthetics, particularly for the 74 residences located within 300 m of the right-of-way. Not all of these changes will have adverse effects since the fact that a large part of the traffic has been moved further away from inhabited sectors will have positive effects.

Note: The measures designed to limit land clearing will also help mitigate the impact on this component.

Specific measures

6) 147)

150) Vegetative screens will be conserved if possible to reduce the noise and aesthetic impacts for residents and users of Gatineau Park.

151) Landscaping, such as the conservation or planting of trees and shrubs where possible in the right-of-way and along the west side of Gatineau Park (and near Wakefield Mill Inn and Spa), will be carried out to integrate the highway into the landscape and to isolate certain sectors as per a landscaping plan approved by the NCC.

Not significant

Noise and aesthetics


Modification of the landscape for road users

The implementation of the project will result in a slight change in the road landscape.

Routine measures

150) 151)

Specific measures

152) Landscaping and project design must take into account the integration of the project into the rural landscape, bordering a conservation park, with this corridor becoming the main access road, from the north to the nation’s capital.

Not significant

Road traffic Presence and use of the road

Human health risks and risk of accidents

Specific measures 53) 158) Take effective measures to control accidents, spills and fires.

Not significant


Activities and access to Gatineau Park

In the operational phase, the new highway could potentially be a barrier to Gatineau Park access. In addition, the displacement of part of the traffic to the west is likely to increase the noise level in certain sectors of the park.

Specific measures 132) Access to the west side of the highway and Gatineau Park will remain possible during the operational phase of the highway via overpasses installed at Valley Road, Carman Road and Cross-Loop Road.

Not significant

Recreation/tourism activities and equipment

Presence of the road

Nuisances/interruptions for users of trails and parking lot P-17

The presence of the future highway could potentially create an obstacle to traffic on the trails and on access to parking lot P-17.

Specific measures 121)

Not significant


Monitoring and Follow-Up Programs Monitoring In the course of assessing the project’s negative impacts, several mitigation measures were proposed in order to minimize the project’s effects on the environment (see table below). All these measures, as well as the specific requirements of government authorizations, will be included in the tender call so that the contractor who is awarded the contract is aware of them and can apply them. The contractor will be responsible for including these measures as well as other specific requirements in the plans and specifications to ensure their application. The environmental expert present on the site at all times will ensure that the contractor and any subcontractors are aware of the environmental specifications and apply them during the construction phase of the project. Follow-Up The follow-up program is intended to track some of the environmental components affected by the project. It will check the accuracy of predictions and of the environmental assessment, as well as the effectiveness of mitigation measures. Within the framework of the project to extend Highway 5 from Farm Point to the junction with Route 366, the following components will be subject to follow-up:

• stabilization work and plantings;

• functions of the impacted and compensated wetlands;

• fish and fish habitat;

• planting of butternut trees;

• collision with large mammals;

• quality of drinking water;

• quantity of groundwater. The MTQ will be responsible for the follow-up programs and federal authorities will ensure that they are properly applied. Conclusion Based on the application of mitigation measures deemed appropriate by the responsible authorities, the project is not likely to result in significant adverse environmental effects. A monitoring program will ensure all mitigation measures are put in place. In addition, the follow-up program will verify the accuracy of the environmental assessment and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures.


Documents

Extension of Highway 5 between Farm Point (Municipality of ... · 8903-07-QA01 3,8 km. Gatineau River. Gatineau River. June 22, 2010. Route 105. La Pêche River. Highway 5. Meech