The MRC de la Vallée-du-Richelieu wants to exclude the mention of a habitat suitable for reproduction for a threatened bird found on Northvolt land, noted The duty. This request comes at a time when measures intended to protect this species, the least bittern, were planned to limit the impact on the wetlands it frequents during the construction of the factory.
The Metropolitan Community of Montreal (CMM) has identified wetlands on its territory based on their interest in preserving biodiversity. We find such a “wetland of metropolitan interest” on the Northvolt land, in particular because of the presence of the least bittern, a species protected under the Species at Risk Act.
The wildlife opinion written by experts from the Quebec Ministry of the Environment as part of the analysis of Northvolt’s request for the destruction of wetlands also insisted on the presence of a “potential nesting site” of the endangered species. Several sightings of this bird have been confirmed over the years, including during the inventory carried out in July 2023 in preparation for the Northvolt project.
And as the species is “extremely sensitive to disturbance”, ministry biologists recommended the protection of wetlands used by the least bittern, but also the maintenance of a “buffer zone” of 500 meters around habitats suitable for reproduction.
The government nevertheless authorized a temporary encroachment planned for a few years on the wetlands identified for their ecological interest by the CMM. According to the company, however, there is no “special status species habitat”, and therefore no threatened species, in this area.
And Northvolt’s message is clear: the company is committed to protecting the habitat of the least bittern, and therefore an entire complex of wetlands, but also the majority of the suggested buffer zone.
The MRC de la Vallée-du-Richelieu nevertheless requests the removal of the mention of a potential breeding habitat on the site. “We are asking to remove this occurrence of the lesser bittern from the map of wetlands of metropolitan interest,” underlines the MRC in a document dated March 21 and submitted to the CMM as part of the consultations on the revision of the Metropolitan Plan. planning and development (PMAD).
“This occurrence is based on an observation of undetermined value. A demonstration is available on request, from the City of Saint-Basile-le-Grand, [selon laquelle] the land is not conducive to the nesting of the bittern,” she argues.
The MRC adds by email that it judges that “the boundary illustrated on the CMM map does not reflect the wetlands present on the site” and that it requests the removal of the 500-meter buffer zone. “The objective is to represent the wetland as it is, on a wetland map,” argues the MRC.
She ensures that the request made to the CMM is not linked to the future factory. The MRC indicates that it had also submitted this request for withdrawal in 2022. At that time, a real estate project was seriously considered on the land and it would have encroached on the habitat of the least bittern.
Recovery
Northvolt did not wish to comment on the MRC’s approach. “This process was not initiated by Northvolt, and it is too early at this time to assess the impact on our project, but we will continue to carry out our project in compliance with the environmental regulations in force,” indicated the company, in a written response.
The CMM indicates for its part that “it is too early to comment on the new version of the PMAD, which will be submitted to the second phase of consultation planned for the fall”.
Director general of the Society for Nature and Parks of Quebec, Alain Branchaud does not understand the desire of the MRC de la Vallée-du-Richelieu to exclude wetlands from sites conducive to the reproduction of an endangered species. “Habitats can be used for a while, then not used anymore, and then used again. These are potential habitats that may be important for its recovery. » “Wetland degradation” is considered one of the main threats to the species, according to federal government experts.
According to Mr. Branchaud, this request seems formulated in order to remove obstacles to the development of the sector, in a region where natural environments have become rare. Wetlands are practically non-existent in the territory of Saint-Basile-le-Grand. They cover at most 0.2% of the territory.
Following a request for access to information, The duty obtained some 2,000 pages of documents concerning the contamination of the land now owned by Northvolt. There is also a plan produced by the firm WSP and dated July 2023 which schematically illustrates the layout of the buildings of a possible “phase 2” of the industrial complex.
These encroach on a large part of the wetlands which are theoretically preserved within the framework of the current project, and in particular in the habitat zone of the least bittern. The company, however, denies wanting to destroy more wetlands in the future. “Phase 2 of the project is neither funded nor confirmed,” Northvolt stressed by email, qualifying the plan obtained by The duty of “obsolete”.