Romaine River Hydroelectric Complex Development Project
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Bureau Joint d’audiences Review Panel publiques sur l’environnement Report 256 Romaine River Hydroelectric Complex Development Project TRANSLATION Investigation and Public Hearing Report February 2009 The concept of the environment The commissions of the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement examine the projects submitted to them from a sustainable development perspective, applying the concept of the environment used by higher courts, a concept that encompasses biophysical, social, economic and cultural aspects. Acknowledgments The Joint Review Panel thanks the individuals and organizations that contributed to its work, and the staff at the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency who provided the necessary support for the production of this report. Publication and Distribution Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement Édifice Lomer-Gouin Telephone: 418-643-7447 575 Saint-Amable, Office 2.10 (Toll-free): 1-800-463-4732 Quebec City, Quebec G1R 6A6 Web site: www.bape.gouv.qc.ca E-mail: [email protected] Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Place Bell Canada Telephone: 613-957-0700 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor Facsimile: 613-957-0941 Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3 Web site: www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca E-mail: [email protected] Documentation concerning the Joint Review Panel’s work may be obtained from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. Legal Deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2009 ISBN 978-2-550-56007-4 (print version) (Original edition : ISBN 978-2-550-55298-7) ISBN 978-2-550-56008-1 (PDF) (Original edition : ISBN 978-2-550-55299-4) February 27, 2009 Line Beauchamp Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Édifice Marie-Guyart, 30th Floor 675 René Lévesque Blvd East Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5V7 Minister: It is with great pleasure that I submit the report on Hydro-Québec’s proposed project to develop a hydroelectric complex on the Romaine River by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. The Commission was chaired by Michel Germain, with the participation of commissioner Louis Dériger, and began its investigative work and public hearings on October 27, 2008. On completion of its analysis, the Commission concluded that the project fulfilled three of the objectives of the Quebec Energy Strategy, namely to enhance security of energy supply, to make better use of energy as a lever of economic development, and to give more say to local and regional communities and First Nations. In this regard, the Commission submits to the attention of the decision-making authorities concerned various matters that require commitments, amendments or clarification before any government authorizations may be issued. Yours truly, Pierre Renaud President Édifice Lomer-Gouin 575 Saint-Amable, Office 2.10 Quebec City, Quebec G1R 6A6 Telephone: 418-643-7447 (toll free): 1-800-463-4732 Fax: 418-643-9474 [email protected] www.bape.gouv.qc.ca February 25, 2009 Pierre Renaud President Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement Édifice Lomer-Gouin 575 Saint-Amable Street, Office 2.10 Quebec City, Quebec G1R 6A6 Dear Sir: I am pleased to submit the report by the Commission responsible for the investigation and public hearings into the Romaine Hydroelectric Complex project by Hydro-Québec. The Commission’s analysis and findings are based on the file forwarded by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks as well as on documentation and additional information added to the file by the Commission in the course of its investigation. The analysis primarily focused on the concerns, opinions and suggestions of the participants in the public hearings. I would like to thank everyone who showed an interest in the Commission’s work by asking questions or submitting briefs. I would also like to acknowledge the resource persons for their collaboration in this public process. Lastly, I would like to give thanks to my colleague Louis Dériger and the team members who assisted us throughout the process. Yours truly, Michel Germain Commission Chair Édifice Lomer-Gouin 575 Saint-Amable, Office 2.10 Quebec City, Quebec G1R 6A6 Telephone: 418-643-7447 (toll free): 1-800-463-4732 Fax: 418-643-9474 [email protected] www.bape.gouv.qc.ca February 27, 2009 The Honourable Jim Prentice Line Beauchamp Minister of the Environment Minister of Sustainable Development, House of Commons Environment and Parks Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6 Édifice Marie-Guyart, 30th Floor 675 René Lévesque Blvd East Quebec City, Quebec G1R 5V7 Mr Minister, Madam Minister: The Joint Review Panel for Hydro-Québec’s Romaine Hydroelectric Complex Project has completed the mandate it received on September 5, 2008. As Chairman of the Panel, I am pleased to submit our report to you. In this instance, the BAPE Commission and the Joint Review Panel agreed to draft a joint report. The Commission reviewed the project from a sustainable development perspective, applying the concept of environment defined by the higher courts of the country, a concept that encompasses the biophysical, social, economic and cultural aspects of development. It also meets the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Quebec Environment Quality Act, as stipulated in the Canada-Quebec Agreement on Environmental Assessment Co-operation. I would like to express my gratitude to my colleagues Jean-Guy Beaudoin and Louis Dériger as well as to the members of the team that worked with us. I would also like to underscore the essential input of the members of the public who participated in the hearings. Yours truly, Michel Germain Chairman, Joint Review Panel Agence canadienne d’évaluation environnementale Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency Édifice Lomer-Gouin Place Bell Canada, 22nd Floor 575 Saint-Amable, Office 2.10 160 Elgin Street Quebec City, Quebec G1R 6A6 Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3 Table of Contents Introduction............................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 1 Participants’ Concerns and Opinions ............................................................ 15 Need for the project............................................................................................................15 Economic rationale for the project................................................................................. 18 Greenhouse gases ........................................................................................................ 19 Sustainable development................................................................................................... 19 Impacts on the natural environment................................................................................... 20 Woodland caribou ......................................................................................................... 20 Birdlife ........................................................................................................................... 21 Aquatic fauna ................................................................................................................ 21 Heritage......................................................................................................................... 22 Integrity of the Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve of Canada ........................ 22 Coastal erosion.............................................................................................................. 22 Human environment........................................................................................................... 23 Quality of life.................................................................................................................. 23 Social impact ................................................................................................................. 25 Health and mercury ....................................................................................................... 26 Commercial and subsistence fisheries.......................................................................... 27 Recreation ..................................................................................................................... 27 Increased access to the territory ................................................................................... 29 Innu communities and the territory ................................................................................ 29 Tourism .........................................................................................................................30 Economic spinoffs.............................................................................................................. 31 Regional spinoffs........................................................................................................... 31 Maximizing regional spinoffs ......................................................................................... 33 Agreements ................................................................................................................... 35 Transmission lines ............................................................................................................. 36 Romaine River Hydroelectric Complex Development Project ix Table of Contents Cumulative and transboundary