Summary of Issues

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Document reference number: 10

The Summary of Issues presents the key issues that the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) considers relevant to the federal impact assessment process for the Bécancour Port Terminal Expansion Project – B6 Wharf (the project). The proponent's response to this Summary of Issues will help inform IAAC's decision on whether an impact assessment is required under section 16 of the Impact Assessment Act. If an impact assessment is required, these key issues and the proponent's response will be used to define the scope of the impact assessment, and to develop the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and plans, as appropriate.

In preparing this summary, IAAC considered input from federal authorities, Indigenous groups, and the public received to date including during the public consultation period on the summary of the initial project description submitted by the proponent. IAAC invites the proponent to consult all participants' original comments posted on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry Internet site for the project (Reference Number 90011).

The proponent is required to describe how it intends to address the key issues identified below as part of the development of its project. A high-level description is sufficient. Where relevant, the proponent is encouraged to specify whether certain key issues will be addressed by another competent authority, for example, through legislation or regulations, or through commitments made by the proponent such as the implementation of best practices, policies or standards that the proponent has committed to meeting.

Key Issues

Indigenous Peoples

• Potential adverse effects of the project on access to the territory, use of resources, and experience in the territory, particularly during traditional practices, spiritual renewal, and cultural and identity transmission. These effects could result from the loss of territory or resources (game birds and fish), as well as disturbance and feelings of insecurity during practices, due to dredging, construction, and exploitation activities.
• Potential adverse impacts on the rights of Indigenous peoples related to the use of and access to the territory and resources for traditional purposes (navigation, fishing, hunting) due to construction work, and industrial port developments and increased shipping traffic on the St. Lawrence River (noise, safety, turbidity and loss of fish habitat, shoreline erosion).

Appendix – Other Comments, Advice, and Recommendations

IAAC provides, for information purposes only, a list of other comments, advice, and recommendations received. The proponent is advised to consult the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry Internet site for the project (Reference Number 90011) to review the original comments.

Other Comments

Project Activities

• Concerns were raised about local hydrodynamics, erosion of nearby shorelines, and degradation of shallow and riparian habitats (aquatic grass beds, emergent marshes) that could result from wave action generated by construction activities, the presence of the new wharf, and cumulative effects related to increased marine traffic.

Indigenous Peoples

• Concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of the project on species of interest for food, ritual, cultural, and social fishing, including yellow perch, pike, walleye, bass, sturgeon, and striped bass, related to the alteration of water quality and aquatic habitats downstream due to the resuspension and dispersion of sediments during dredging activities.
• Concerns were raised about the potential negative and cumulative effects of the project on Indigenous archaeological heritage or culturally significant sites.
• Recommendation to ensure the participation of Indigenous peoples in the development of mitigation measures to reduce the effects on the biophysical environment and impacts on their communities and rights.
• Recommendation to proactively implement emergency response plans and communication mechanisms with Indigenous peoples to address their concerns about potential negative effects related to the increased risk of accidents and spills resulting from the project, particularly due to increased marine traffic.

Permits and Authorizations

• It is important to consult with Transport Canada to comply with the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, particularly with regard to the necessary permits and authorizations.
• It is recommended that Fisheries and Oceans Canada be consulted as soon as possible to ensure that the requirements of the Fisheries Act, the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations, and the Species at Risk Act are taken into account.

Fish and Fish Habitat

• Concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of the project on fish, including fish at risk, and their habitat. These effects could result from construction activities, the encroachment of the new wharf and storage area into the aquatic environment, dredging, the use of sediments as fill material for the storage area, the introduction and spread of invasive aquatic species, the risk of accidental release of harmful substances, and operational activities, including runoff management on the wharves and in the storage areas.

Migratory Birds

• Concerns have been raised about the potential adverse effects of project construction and operation activities on migratory birds. To reduce these effects, it is recommended that the Guidelines to avoid harm to migratory birds be consulted and that the nesting period for migratory birds (nesting area C3) be taken into account in work planning.