Public Comment Period on Intent to Make a Determination
Interim Quick Reaction Area (QRA) development – 3 Wing Canadian Forces Base Bagotville

January 20, 2025 — The Department of National Defence must decide whether the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this decision, the Department of National Defence is inviting comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. All comments received will be considered public. For more information, individuals should consult the Privacy Notice on the Registry website.

Written comments must be submitted by February 8, 2025 to:
Michel Lajoie, Environment Officer
Mailing Address:  Canadian Forces Base Bagotville, PO Box 5000
Alouette, QC, Canada, G0V 1A0
E-mail:  michel.lajoie@forces.gc.ca

The Proposed Project

The Department of National Defence (DND) has proposed a project. The present project involves the execution of works as well as the provision of labor, materials, and tools necessary for the development of the required infrastructure for the establishment of a temporary Quick Reaction Area (QRA), which will be in use for a few years, the time needed for the construction of permanent facilities. The works include, but are not limited to, the assembly of three dome-type shelters with an area of approximately 800 m² each, which will serve as hangars, the installation of four modular trailers building with areas ranging approximately between 72 m² and 108 m² each, which will be mainly used for staff accommodation and office spaces, and the construction of a small technical building for the distribution of electrical and telecommunications services. An additional modular trailer building from the old QRA will also be relocated to the south of the work area.

Several related works will be necessary, including the development of security infrastructure around the site, such as fences, a sliding gate, and the installation of a concrete wall approximately 5 m high around the shelters. The related works also involve the development of a temporary access road, including paving works, the addition of lighting, and the installation and connection of service infrastructures such as water supply, sanitary sewers, electricity, and telecommunications. An emergency generator on a trailer will also be connected to the buildings. Although a good proportion of the works will be carried out above ground, excavation and backfilling works will be necessary as part of the project. The volume of excavated soils and imported backfill materials is currently unknown. The excavated soils will be managed according to their environmental quality and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.