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Document reference number: 2

Upgrading of dock 101 at the Port of Montreal, Montréal-Est, Quebec

January 22, 2026 – The Montreal Port Authority (MPA) has determined that the proposed Upgrading of dock 101 at the Port of Montreal, Montréal-Est, Quebec is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• Impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• Comments received from the public; and
• Technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures considered for this determination are the following:

Air quality

• Prior to the start of the work, the contractor must submit to the MPA representative, for approval, an Environmental Protection Action Plan detailing the mitigation measures to implement to minimize project-related environmental impacts, including the procedures for controlling fugitive dust emissions generated on the worksite and the measures for limiting Total Suspended Solids (TSS) discharges into receiving water.
• All machinery, equipment, and vehicles used on the worksite shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times. Regular inspections and maintenance activities shall be carried out to verify and ensure their proper operating condition.
• The contractor shall promptly repair any equipment or machinery that generates excessive exhaust gas emissions visible at the tailpipe.
• The contractor shall ensure that all machinery and motorized equipment are equipped with exhaust and anti‑pollution systems, and that these systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
• The contractor shall avoid idling of any vehicle, equipment, or machinery when not in use in order to reduce atmospheric pollution. Idling of the diesel engine of a stationary heavy vehicle shall be limited to a maximum duration of 5 minutes. After this period, the engine shall be shut down.
• The contractor shall monitor air quality in real time and suspend work whenever particulate or dust emissions from the worksite exceed the standards established under the Clean Air Regulation, namely when visible dust extends more than 2 m from the source.
• The contractor shall comply with all air‑quality protection regulations issued by the Montreal Metropolitan Community (CMM), including the emission criteria set out in the Atmospheric Emissions By‑law (No. 2001‑10).
• The contractor shall avoid handling or transporting dried drilling mud during high‑wind conditions or whenever a visible dust plume is generated.
• The contractor shall ensure that drilling mud extracted during pile installation is dried within a sealed containment system located on the wharf.
• Dried drilling mud managed on land shall be sampled and disposed of at an authorized facility in accordance with applicable regulations (e.g., Regulation respecting contaminated soil storage and contaminated soil transfer stations; Regulation respecting the traceability of excavated contaminated soils). Proof of compliant disposal shall be submitted to the MPA representative.
• During transport to an authorized land‑based facility, dried drilling mud shall be contained to prevent any dust dispersion, for example by using a sealed dump truck and covering the load with impermeable tarps.
• Fine materials stored on site shall be covered to prevent dust lift‑off during strong winds.

Surface water quality

• A spill prevention and response plan shall be implemented, clearly identifying the responsible personnel and agencies, as well as the procedures to be followed in the event of an environmental emergency.
• General maintenance and refueling of machinery and equipment shall be carried out only in the locations designated by the site supervisor, at least 30 m from the St. Lawrence. For low‑mobility equipment (such as that located on the work barge), refueling shall be performed in place while taking all necessary precautions to prevent any spill into the aquatic environment.
• Refueling of machinery and equipment shall take place on a flat, non‑porous surface and under the contractor's continuous supervision.
• Fuel, oil, and other petroleum‑product storage areas shall be located at a minimum distance of 60 m from the water. These areas must first be approved by the MPA representative.
• The contractor shall provide on‑site, clearly identified, leak‑proof containers intended to receive petroleum products. Tanks shall be placed within an impermeable containment structure equipped with an absorbent pad to allow work to proceed safely. The containment structure shall have a minimum capacity equal to 110 % of the tank volume to ensure an adequate safety margin. The containment area shall be inspected during rainfall events to prevent overflow.
• Sufficient quantities of emergency petroleum‑product recovery kits, suitable for both terrestrial and aquatic interventions, shall be available on the worksite to enable rapid containment and recovery of contaminants. These kits shall, at minimum, be capable of containing the largest hydrocarbon tank present on the site. They shall include enough absorbent rolls to prevent runoff into the stormwater system and/or to confine petroleum products within the machinery perimeter. Kits shall be stored near the equipment and remain easily accessible at all times for rapid deployment.
• The contractor shall prohibit access to the worksite for any equipment exhibiting leaks of hydrocarbons, fuel, engine oil, or hydraulic oil. The contractor shall therefore verify the cleanliness and condition of all machinery and equipment prior to their arrival on site and on a daily basis thereafter. Any non‑compliant equipment shall be repaired in a designated workshop or service area before being admitted to the worksite.
• The contractor shall use biodegradable hydraulic fluid for all machinery operated on the St. Lawrence or within 15 m of the St. Lawrence. The hydraulic fluid shall demonstrate an ultimate biodegradation rate greater than 60 % within 28 days. The contractor shall obtain prior approval from the site supervisor by providing certification confirming the fluid's biodegradability or any other document demonstrating the use of biodegradable hydraulic fluid.
• The contractor shall ensure that all machinery arrives on site clean and free of leaks and remains so throughout the work. A daily inspection of machinery and equipment shall be performed to verify compliance.
• The contractor shall monitor weather conditions during the work and suspend in‑water operations in the event of extreme conditions (high winds, waves, storms).
• During shoreline work, the contractor shall take all necessary precautions to prevent the transport of fine particles into the aquatic environment beyond the immediate work area.
• The contractor shall regularly observe the St. Lawrence during work to detect any sign of suspended sediments (turbidity plume) and implement corrective measures where required.
• Effective measures shall be implemented and maintained to limit sediment inputs from the worksite into the aquatic environment (e.g., sediment barriers, berms, sediment traps, settling basins). These measures shall remain effective during high‑flow periods, heavy rainfall, and freezing conditions.
• Borehole positioning shall be carried out by surveying with millimetric precision in order to minimize the footprint of the work on the riverbed.
• Machinery shall be operated from stable surfaces.
• Anti‑washout hydraulic concrete shall be used for underwater concreting operations.
• An oil-spill boom and absorbent booms shall be installed around the in‑water work area during drilling activities to capture hydrocarbon releases originating from the riverbed.
• During pile installation, pumped water shall be allowed to settle for a minimum of one hour before being discharged back into the St. Lawrence. The drilling mud shall be collected and disposed of on land. The site supervisor shall ensure that pumped water is adequately settled prior to discharge (TSS concentration of less than 25 mg/L).
• An effective concrete‑debris recovery system shall be used during repair work on dock walls.
• A designated concrete‑truck washout area shall be constructed to contain wash water and concrete residues. The washout area shall be sized to accommodate the full volume of water used for cleaning. It shall be located at least 40 m from the St. Lawrence or otherwise positioned to prevent any fluid runoff toward the St. Lawrence. The washout area shall be approved in advance by the MPA representative and identified in the site layout plan. The contractor shall install an impermeable membrane covering the base of the washout area, and the membrane shall be approved prior to installation.
• Only the chute of concrete trucks may be washed within the designated washout area. Wash water and generated residues shall remain in the sealed basin for at least one hour to allow settling. The water may then be pumped to a storage basin and, if required, transported to an authorized facility.
• Concrete residues from chute cleaning shall be removed from the worksite along with other demolition/construction debris and transported to a facility authorized by the Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). The sealed basin shall be emptied when it reaches 50 % capacity or when a weather alert forecasts heavy rainfall. It shall also be emptied during extended temporary shutdowns and upon final site closure.
• Surplus concrete from concrete trucks shall be poured into molds or other watertight containers to facilitate reuse (e.g., as curb) or disposal. Concrete residues shall be managed with construction waste.
• Concrete‑truck cleaning shall be carried out under the contractor's continuous supervision.
• Direct discharge of contaminated, wastewater, or sediment‑laden water from the worksite into the St. Lawrence shall be avoided. Wastewater generated during the work shall be treated prior to discharge to ensure it contains less than 25 mg/L TSS. In the case of concrete‑truck wash water, it may be handled by the concrete supplier and returned to the concrete plant. Otherwise, such water shall be contained, sampled, and treated (as required) to meet the MELCCFP surface‑water quality criteria (aquatic life protection – acute effects) and By‑law No. 2008‑47 of the CMM before it is discharged to the environment, a sewer system, or a drainage system. For any discharge to the stormwater network or the St. Lawrence, TSS concentration shall not exceed the above‑mentioned limit, and pH shall remain between 6.0 and 9.0.
• Install an oil spill boom and absorbent booms around the seabed deepening‑work area to capture any potential hydrocarbon release from disturbed sediments.
• Limit the descent and ascent speed of the excavator bucket to minimize turbidity and resuspension of fine particles. The bucket must not be dropped onto the substrate, and leveling of the seabed by pivoting the bucket shall be avoided.
• The contractor shall adjust work methods if an increase of more than 25 mg/L TSS is observed 100 m downstream from the seabed deepening‑work area (e.g., by slowing operations or reducing transfer speed).
• Conduct seabed deepening operations and sediment transfer only when weather conditions are suitable (low waves, light winds, low flow during low‑water periods) to minimize the suspension of fine sediments in the water column and to ensure the effectiveness of sediment‑control measures.
• Adjust barge loading levels according to weather conditions to prevent sediment overflow during transport.
• The contractor shall monitor TSS levels in the deepening‑work area in accordance with the guidance provided in the Recommendations for the Management of Suspended Solids (SS) during Dredging Activities[1].
• Drying areas for drilling mud shall be located more than 30 m from the St. Lawrence.
• A Sediment Management Plan shall be prepared prior to the start of work.
• The contractor shall adjust work methods if an increase of more than 25 mg/L TSS is observed 100 m downstream from the open water sediment disposal site.
• Workers shall be made aware of the need to minimize abrupt movements during in‑water operations to minimize sediment resuspension.
• A watertight barge shall be used to transport sediments to the Vickers Basin to prevent sediment loss during transit.
• A work method that minimizes accidental loss of excavated material during transfer shall be used.
• In the Vickers Basin, the contractor shall reduce barge speed to limit sediment resuspension caused by vessel movement.
• The barge shall be positioned precisely at the designated disposal site in the Vickers Basin to ensure proper disposal of excavated material and compliance with the required depth elevations.
• During sediment disposal in the Vickers Basin, install an oil spill boom and absorbent booms around the site if any hydrocarbon release is observed.
• Prevent overflow from the barge containing the excavated sediments.
• During sediment discharge in the Vickers Basin, open the barge bottom slowly to allow a gradual discharge of the material and thereby limit impacts on the seabed (sediment resuspension or release of petroleum hydrocarbons).
• A Demolition Material Management Plan shall be prepared prior to the start of work.
• Discharge into the St. Lawrence of waste, oil, chemicals, or other contaminants originating from the worksite is prohibited. The contractor shall dispose of such waste and contaminants in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations, depending on the nature of the contaminant.
• No debris resulting from the work shall be discharged into the St. Lawrence. Any debris accidentally introduced into the St. Lawrence shall be removed as quickly as possible.
• All waste shall be placed in designated containers located at a safe distance from the shoreline.
• Waste stored in containers on the worksite shall be collected regularly, with particular attention to lightweight materials that may be blown away (paper, plastic bags, etc.), and transported to an authorized facility.

Sediment composition and quality

• Same mitigation measures as those applicable to surface water quality.

Aquatic fauna

• Same mitigation measures as those applicable to surface water quality.
• Whenever feasible, prioritize conducting the work from the dock rather than from a barge.
• Begin pile‑driving operations gradually to allow fish to leave the immediate work area. The soft‑start procedure shall begin at the minimum power setting of the equipment, followed by a progressive increase to optimal power.
• No in‑water pile‑drilling activities shall be carried out between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. in order to provide fish with a rest and recovery period.
• Ensure compliance with the work schedule so that the majority of in‑water activities occur during the low‑risk period for fish (between May 1 and March 31).
• If a pause of more than 20 minutes is expected between two pile‑driving sequences, the soft‑start procedure shall be repeated.
• Vibro‑driving or drilling shall be preferred for pile installation. Impact pile‑driving is not permitted.

Invasive alien species

• Prior to the start of the work, inspect and clean all equipment (machinery, barges) that will be used during the operations using a pressure washer (preferably with hot water), ensuring that the cleaning is carried out at least 30 m away from the St. Lawrence or stormwater systems. Remove any mud, aquatic vegetation, or other fouling as needed, and dispose of all residues in the trash or at an approved landfill site.
• At the end of the work, all machinery and equipment used in the aquatic environment must be cleaned with a pressure washer (preferably with hot water) to prevent the potential spread of zebra mussels or other invasive alien species. The contractor must ensure that all water contained in the equipment is drained before leaving the waterbody, and that all equipment that has come into contact with water during the work is cleaned and dried.
• During the work, dispose of any excavated material that has come into contact with invasive species at an approved landfill site.

Port operations

• Ensure continuous coordination between the contractor, the site supervisor, the MPA, and the operators of the adjacent terminals (Docks 100 and 102‑E) so that appropriate mitigation measures are implemented to avoid disrupting the maritime activities of these terminals.
• Inform all stakeholders involved in the project, as well as port users, of the execution of the work.
• Restrict access to the work area to duly authorized personnel only.
• Install appropriate land‑based signage for workers operating in the work area.
• The contractor must comply with all safety requirements within and around the work areas specified in the specifications.
• All equipment and temporary structures located in the water (barge) must be equipped with lighting at all times to ensure visibility to passing vessels.
• A Notice to Shipping will be issued through the Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) to inform users of the work period and the limits of the work area.
• The contractor must coordinate any temporary use of the wharf so as not to interfere with vessel berthing maneuvers at Docks 100 and 102‑E.
• Maintain continuous communication with CIAM to ensure effective coordination and coexistence of the two worksites (CIAM and MPA).

Acoustic environment

• All machinery, equipment, and vehicles used on the worksite shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times. Regular inspections and maintenance activities shall be carried out to verify and ensure their proper operating condition.
• The contractor shall ensure that all machinery and motorized equipment are equipped with exhaust and anti‑pollution systems, and that these systems are maintained in proper operating condition.
• The contractor shall avoid idling of any vehicle, equipment, or machinery when not in use in order to reduce atmospheric pollution. Idling of the diesel engine of a stationary heavy vehicle shall be limited to a maximum duration of 5 minutes. After this period, the engine shall be shut down.
• Noisy equipment must be fitted with original manufacturer‑supplied mufflers or a functional noise‑reduction device at all times.
• Engines of unused machinery, equipment, and trucks must be turned off when not in operation or while waiting to be loaded.
• Use of engine braking must be minimized on the worksite and during the transport of equipment and materials.
• Avoid slamming of truck tailgates during material unloading.
• Machinery must be equipped with a white‑noise backup alarm.
• Applicable speed limits for worksites must be observed.
• Work must be carried out during normal working hours and in compliance with municipal requirements.