Deconstruction of the Existing Champlain Bridge
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Deconstruction of the Existing Champlain Bridge Targeted Environmental Analysis Preliminary Report Volume 2, sections 4 to 10 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures April 2019 Contract No 62555 DECONSTRUCTION OF THE EXISTING CHAMPLAIN BRIDGE (2016-2017) Contract No. 62555 Targeted Environmental Analysis Volume 2, Sections 4 to 10 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures Preliminary Report April 2019 Targeted environmental analysis Preliminary Report Volume 2 – sections 4 to 10 April 2019 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures Executive summary The 2013 environmental assessment (EA) for the New Bridge includes the deconstruction of the Existing Champlain Bridge, and this targeted environmental analysis (TEA) is being conducted to update the 2013 EA. This report represents volume 2 of the TEA of the Existing Champlain Bridge deconstruction project and features a description of the project’s environmental effects and proposed mitigation measures. Volume 1 presented a description of both the project and its environment. In order to determine the project’s potential effects, correlations between the project’s various phases and environmental components were identified. Each effect’s significance were assessed using three parameters: intensity, duration and extent. Mitigation measures were identified to reduce the significance of those effects and ensure that residual effects are negligible under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, S.C. 1992, ch.37 (CEAA). The mitigation measures presented in the 2013 EA have been reviewed, adapted and enhanced to specifically reflect the effects of deconstruction, as well as to take into account the best practices in 2019 and the lessons learned during the New Bridge’s construction work. The main effects on physical environment components pertain to soil, groundwater and surface water quality. The presence of lightly contaminated soil, sediments and groundwater means that measures must be implemented to avoid spreading pollutants in the environment. Since a large part of the construction work will take place in or near water, many mitigation measures must be implemented to limit the dispersion of suspended matter and pollutants in the water. Water quality will be monitored throughout the construction period to ensure compliance with all requirements. Lastly, due to the presence of contaminants on the bridge, several mitigation measures must be implemented to minimize effects. Overall, the effects on the physical environment were deemed negligible in light of the proposed mitigation measures. Moreover, measures will be taken to mitigate air quality and greenhouse gas effects throughout the construction period. The installation of jetties runs the risk of disrupting wetlands along the river’s shore. Measures must be taken to limit this disruption, and an ecological function compensation project must be developed. Effects are also expected on the fish habitats, migratory birds and endangered species during the construction period. The project could lead to the disruption, deterioration or loss of fragile fish habitats. A compensation program will be required to mitigate those effects. Migratory bird nesting could also be disrupted during the construction period. Restriction periods will be implemented to minimize such disruptions. Endangered species (Peregrine Falcon and American Eel) could also be affected during the project. The Peregrine Falcon’s nesting sites must be moved and the river currents near the jetties must not impede the migration of the American Eel and other fish species. Species with provincial status are also present. Specific measures must be taken to mitigate effects on the Brown Snake, Lake Sturgeon, American Shad, Chain Pickerel and Rosyface Shiner. In light of the mitigation measures and compensation projects, the effects on the biological environment are deemed negligible. i Targeted environmental analysis Preliminary Report Volume 2 – sections 4 to 10 April 2019 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures With regard to the human environment, the main effects will be noise pollution due to deconstruction work and material transportation. Mitigation measures are planned within sensitive areas during both phases. A noise management program must be implemented as soon as construction work begins to ensure compliance to all requirements. Some recreational activities may also be disrupted, but measures will be implemented to ensure user safety and minimize any inconvenience. Effects on human environments were deemed negligible and will be addressed with the proper mitigation measures. The analysis of the project’s cumulative and environmental effects also revealed that the project did not feature significant residual effects. To comply with environmental requirements, JCCBI will require the selected contractor to implement an environmental management system. This system will enable the tracking and monitoring of the mitigation measures and performance objectives set during the EA, as well as reporting when needed. Lastly, JCCBI will also provide community benefits such as material recovery, asset enhancement (a shoreline development project for recreational and commemorative purposes), Envision certification and an R&D programme using materials or components taken from the deconstructed bridge. ii Targeted environmental analysis Preliminary Report Volume 2 – sections 4 to 10 April 2019 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures Project team Name Involvement in project Jacqueline Roy, M.Sc., Biol. PMP Environmental Lead Claudia María Bolainez Aguilar, Eng. Project description Benoit Simard, Geol. Contaminated soil Sergio Di Lalla, Eng., M.Eng. Contaminated soil David Granger, Eng. Groundwater Olivier Miller, Jr. Eng. Contaminated soil, groundwater Éric Provencher, Eng., CD Contaminants in materials Kamel Aljane, Tech. Contaminants in materials Nicholas Proulx, Tech. Contaminants in materials Steve St-André, Tech. Contaminants in materials Samir Wihbeh, Tech. Contaminants in materials Jean Gauthier, Eng., M.Sc. Water Hydrology, bathymetry and ice Régis Xhardé, M.Sc. Ocean., Ph. D. Hydrology, bathymetry Mathieu Dubé, Eng., M.Sc. Ice Benjamin Jacob, M.Sc., Biologist Water quality and fish habitat Samuel Boucher, B.Sc., Biologist Fish habitat Lionel Humbert, Biologist, Ph.D. Special-status species of flora and IAS Geneviève Arsenault, B.Sc., Biologist Assistance with the coordination of specialists and bats Daniel Néron, M.Sc., geographer Birds, herpetofauna, status wildlife species, sediment Isabelle Picard, B.Sc., Biologist Macroinvertebrates, benthos Alicia Suchorski, M.Sc., EP® Benthos, status wildlife species Vincent Létourneau, B.Sc., Biologist Birds and herpetofauna Brigitte Masella, M.E.S. Coordination of specialists and human environment Alexandra Mitsidou, M.A. Human environment William T. Chew, B.Sc., CET Air quality Caleb Vanderberg, P. Eng. (ON) Air quality iii Targeted environmental analysis Preliminary Report Volume 2 – sections 4 to 10 April 2019 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures Guillaume Nachin, Jr. Eng., M.Eng. Greenhouse gases Pierre-Antoine Carpentier, VEA Greenhouse gases Martin Dorais, M.Env., VEA, VPSGE Sustainable development, enhancement, GHG Michel Drouin, Eng. Traffic Buddy Ledger, MASc, P.Eng. (ON), INCE Sound environment Alfredo Rodrigues, P.Eng. (ON) Sound environment Shelly Yuan, M.Sc. Sound environment Ani Hébert, Tech. Drafter Mouna Mahfoud, A.E.P. Industrial Drawing Drafter Ashenti Savoie Dubé, B.Sc. Drafter Daniele Larose, Administrative Assistant Editing Nadine Pagé, Administrative Assistant Editing Jonathan Stewart, C.Trad. Translation revision Verified by: Jacqueline Roy, M.Sc., Biologist, PMP, Environment Lead Verified by: Sylvain Montminy, Eng., P. Eng., Project Lead iv Targeted environmental analysis Preliminary Report Volume 2 – sections 4 to 10 April 2019 Assessment of Effects and Mitigation Measures Table of Contents 4 Information sessions ............................................................................................................................. 1 Public and stakeholder information ......................................................................................................... 1 First Nations consultation ......................................................................................................................... 1 5 Environmental effects assessment method ........................................................................................ 3 Assessment methodology ......................................................................................................................... 3 5.1.1 Identification and assessment of effects ................................................................................... 3 5.1.2 Determination of the significance of an environmental effect ................................................. 3 5.1.2.1 Intensity of the effect ................................................................................................ 3 5.1.2.2 Duration of effect ...................................................................................................... 4 5.1.2.3 Extent of effect .......................................................................................................... 4 5.1.2.4 Assessment of potential effect ................................................................................. 4 5.1.3 Mitigation ....................................................................................................................................