Consortium Direction de la Côte-Nord ROUTE 389 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BETWEEN FIRE LAKE AND FERMONT (KILOMETRE 478 TO 564) IMPACT ASSESSMENT - SUMMARY Version 00 MTQ File No: 6703-11-GA04 O/File: 55317-200 In Collaboration with: January 2016 Consortium Direction de la Côte-Nord ROUTE 389 IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BETWEEN FIRE LAKE AND FERMONT (KILOMETRE 478 TO 564) IMPACT ASSESSMENT - SUMMARY Version 00 MTQ File No: 6703-11-GA04 O/File: 55317-200 January 2016 In Collaboration with: Roche -TDA Consortium 26 boulevard Comeau Baie-Comeau (Quebec) CANADA G4Z 3A8 Phone 418 296-6711 Fax 418 269-8971 www.roche.ca Table of Contents Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................. i List of Tables ................................................................................................................................... v List of Maps .................................................................................................................................... v List of Maps in Pocket Insert ............................................................................................................ v 1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Project Presentation and Objectives ................................................................................ 1 2 Project Rationale .................................................................................................................... 5 2.1 Road Safety that has for Long been questioned ............................................................... 5 2.1.1 Substandard Geometry and Curves ..................................................................... 5 2.1.2 Numerous Railway Crossings and Overlap with the Railway Right-of-Way ............. 5 2.1.3 Important Consequences for the Safety of Users and Goods ................................ 6 2.2 The Mining Industry as an Economic Engine .................................................................... 6 2.3 Desire of the Municipal and Community Sectors .............................................................. 7 2.4 Land Access for Tourism Activities .................................................................................. 7 3 Description of the Environment ............................................................................................... 9 3.1 Physical Environment ..................................................................................................... 9 3.1.1 Air Quality ......................................................................................................... 9 3.1.2 Groundwater ..................................................................................................... 9 3.1.3 Water Quality .................................................................................................. 10 3.2 Biological Environment ................................................................................................. 10 3.2.1 Vegetation ...................................................................................................... 10 3.2.2 Herpetofauna .................................................................................................. 11 3.2.3 Ichthyofauna ................................................................................................... 12 3.2.4 Bats ................................................................................................................ 12 3.2.5 Micromammals ................................................................................................ 12 3.2.6 Large Mammals ............................................................................................... 13 3.2.7 Small Mammals ............................................................................................... 14 3.2.8 Avifauna ......................................................................................................... 14 3.3 Human Environment .................................................................................................... 15 3.3.1 Land Use by the Innu ...................................................................................... 15 Ministère des Transports Route 389 Improvement Program between Fire Lake and Fermont – (kilometre 478 to 564) 55317.001-200 i Summary (version 00) January 2016 3.3.2 Land Use by Non-Natives ................................................................................. 16 3.3.3 Archaeology..................................................................................................... 16 3.3.4 Sound Environment .......................................................................................... 16 3.3.5 Visual Environment .......................................................................................... 16 3.4 Consultation and Information Sessions .......................................................................... 17 4 Analysis of Alternative Solutions and Variants ......................................................................... 19 4.1 Analysis of Alternative Solutions .................................................................................... 19 4.2 Optimization of the Selected Solution ............................................................................ 21 4.2.1 Variants selected for a Comprehensive Analysis ................................................. 21 5 Project Description ................................................................................................................ 23 5.1 Technical Specifications ................................................................................................ 23 5.2 Vehicle Types, Potential Users and Traffic Flow .............................................................. 23 5.3 Location of Temporary Camps ...................................................................................... 23 5.4 Auxiliary Trackage, Railways and Safety Standards ........................................................ 23 5.5 Waste Management ..................................................................................................... 23 5.6 Road Construction ........................................................................................................ 23 5.7 Drainage ..................................................................................................................... 24 5.7.1 Culverts ........................................................................................................... 24 5.7.2 Bridges ............................................................................................................ 24 5.7.3 Ditches ............................................................................................................ 24 5.7.4 Road Maintenance ........................................................................................... 24 5.7.5 Traffic Management during Construction Works ................................................. 25 5.7.6 Project Timetable and Cost ............................................................................... 25 5.7.7 Road Restoration ............................................................................................. 25 6 Impact Analysis and Mitigation Measures ................................................................................ 27 6.1 Methodology ................................................................................................................ 27 6.2 Physical Environment ................................................................................................... 27 6.2.1 Air Quality ....................................................................................................... 27 6.2.2 Soils ................................................................................................................ 28 6.2.3 Surface Water .................................................................................................. 28 6.2.4 Groundwater ................................................................................................... 29 6.3 Biological Environment ................................................................................................. 29 6.3.1 Land Vegetation ............................................................................................... 29 6.3.2 Wetlands ......................................................................................................... 30 Ministère des Transports Route 389 Improvement Project between Fire Lake and Fermont (kilometre 478 to 564) Summary (version 00) ii 55317.001-200 January 2016 6.3.3 Special Status Plant Species ............................................................................. 31 6.3.4 Herpetofauna .................................................................................................. 31 6.3.5 Ichthyofauna ................................................................................................... 32 6.3.6 Bats ................................................................................................................ 33 6.3.7 Mammals ........................................................................................................ 33 6.3.8 Avifauna ......................................................................................................... 36 6.4 Human Environment