The site of the future Northvolt factory is an important habitat for dozens of wildlife species, according to data obtained by The duty. At least eight threatened and legally protected species have been recorded on this land, which has one of the last wetlands in the region.
The industrial project financed by the governments of Quebec and Canada will be built on a vast plot of land located along the Richelieu River which includes wooded areas and wetlands. It is also one of the rare fallow areas in this region.
According to data provided to Duty by the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP), a long list of wildlife species has been identified, of which at least 13 are included on the list of species in peril of the federal government.
The data collected thus indicates that the nesting of the bank swallow has been “confirmed” on this site. The ministry also specifies that nesting is “probable” for the barn swallow, bobolink, wood thrush and least bittern, while it is “possible” for the Canada warbler, due to the presence of a “suitable habitat”.
Each of these six species is listed as “threatened” under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA). This means that there is a legal prohibition on “damaging or destroying the residence”, for example the nest, of these species.
The same ban applies to the spiny softshell turtle and the little brown bat, two species recorded on the site and which are “endangered”, the most critical status of the SARA. Eight species are therefore subject to strict protection measures under SARA.
142 species of birds
The decline of all these species is essentially due to the destruction of their habitat due to industrial development, urban sprawl, the disappearance of wetlands, but also of wooded areas, specifies the general director of the Society for Nature and the parks of Quebec, Alain Branchaud.
In addition to the species officially recognized as being at risk, the MELCCFP indicates that inventories and observations in the sector have revealed the presence of four species of amphibians and at least 142 species of birds. Species have been recorded throughout the year. Some nest on the site and others use wooded areas or wetlands as part of their migration.
However, under the “Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994”, it is prohibited “to harm migratory birds and to disturb or destroy their nests or eggs anywhere in Canada”.
Will the proponent be able to carry out the planned work, taking into account the regulatory and legal provisions that protect species at risk and avian fauna? As of Thursday noon, Environment Canada had still not responded to questions from Duty sent on Friday September 29.
Director of the Quebec Birds organization, Jean-Sébastien Guénette believes that “this land is an extremely important place for avian fauna and biodiversity in the region, since the vast majority of natural environments have already been destroyed.” He also emphasizes that the number of bird species is probably underestimated, since the site is not accessible for ornithologists.
Wet environments
According to information provided by the MELCCFP, the project is expected to encroach on wetlands. “The promoter has submitted a request for ministerial authorization for intervention in wetlands for the preparation of the project site. The analysis of this authorization request is in progress,” specifies the ministry in an email.
Biologist Alain Branchaud therefore considers it necessary to take the time to carry out an independent scientific analysis before moving forward with the project. “We must protect a diversity of natural environments and ecosystems, particularly in Montérégie. For several species, these wastelands are important and this land is the only green space between Mont Saint-Bruno and Mont Saint-Hilaire. We must therefore think about ways to preserve a form of connectivity for species. »
At the same time, he criticizes the Legault government’s desire to exclude the idea of carrying out an environmental assessment for this industrial project. “By depriving ourselves of an evaluation, we deprive ourselves of reflection on project planning. Can we protect sectors and develop the site in a harmonious way, taking into account species at risk? The question must be analyzed. »
Compensation
As part of a meeting organized Wednesday with the media, Laurent Therrien, director of public affairs for Northvolt in North America, said that the company wants to respect the land “as much as possible”. According to what he said, the wetlands found on the site “are considered to be of lower quality than if we were going to settle in a wood.”
The multinational also says it wants to “avoid wetlands as much as possible, but also avoid the area which is inhabited by the protected species which is the least bittern”. If wetlands are destroyed, the company intends to offer financial compensation or create “new wetlands”.
The MELCCFP says it has not yet completed its analysis of information concerning the Northvolt industrial project. We therefore still do not know whether or not the project will be subject to the environmental impact assessment and examination procedure.
The Legault government already affirms that the project will not have to go through this procedure, unlike several other large industrial projects in Quebec. This would mean that the company would not have to produce an impact study detailing the presence of wildlife species on its land. It would therefore not be possible to evaluate, independently, the impacts of this factory on biodiversity.
With Clémence Pavic