Some 150 citizens of Lac-Mégantic and the surrounding area have filed forms to oppose the notices of expropriation sent by the federal government in order to build the Lac-Mégantic bypass railway.
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The Larochelle-Boutin law firm, which receives the forms, even expects their number to quadruple by the March 20 deadline.
The law provides that all or part of these persons must be heard in a public hearing.
At the same time as this protest, a group of organizations including the Union des producteurs agricoles and the Regional Council for the Environment wrote to the federal Minister of the Environment, Steven Guilbeault, to demand a complete and in-depth study on the environmental impacts of the construction of the track.
In addition to destroying 66 hectares of wetlands and threatening some 40 others, it is mentioned that approximately 500 citizens and some 200 residences will be affected by noise, pollution and vibrations.
The drilling will also have impacts on the water table and the artesian wells of the affected residents.
Steven Guilbeault transmitted the letter to the authorities concerned.
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada has confirmed that it has received the request for the Lac Mégantic rail bypass project to be subject to the Impact Assessment Act.
The agency says it will take the time to review the request and respond in due course. The Minister of Environment and Climate Change will then make the final decision.