The development of the largest wind project in the history of Quebec could harm the survival of endangered species. The proponents, including Hydro-Québec, have also misjudged the potential impacts for wildlife at risk, according to the opinions of government experts. They therefore ask them to redo their homework, in order to be able to specify the extent of the risks for species of birds, bats and woodland caribou.
Hydro-Québec, Énergir and Boralex have joined forces to develop the “Des Neiges” projects, which consist of three projects of 400 megawatts (MW) each, for a total of 1,200 MW. These would be built in the MRCs of La Côte-de-Beaupré and Charlevoix. These projects, which were first presented as a single project “split into three sectors”, would require investments of three billion dollars to build between 180 and 240 wind turbines.
Two of the three impact studies have already been submitted by the proponents as part of Quebec’s environmental assessment process. They relate to the “Charlevoix Sector” and “South Sector” projects. They have also been the subject of “expert opinions” from various departments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks. (MELCCFP).
According to what emerges from their findings, the two studies have significant shortcomings in terms of assessing risks to biodiversity and endangered species. ECCC considers in particular that “the methodology used to describe the biological environment specifically related to species at risk is not appropriate to adequately assess the potential to find these species in the study area, to assess the impacts of the project on the latter, and determine the mitigation, monitoring and environmental follow-up measures that may be necessary to implement”.
In the Charlevoix sector, where the deforestation of 500 hectares and the loss of 67,000 m2 water environments, the impacts related to habitat loss “have not been assessed for each of the species at risk likely to be present in the study area”.
Bicknell’s Thrush
There are indeed several species in decline in the sectors targeted for the project. This is the case of the Bicknell’s thrush, a bird of which 80% of the population breeds in Quebec, largely in this region, and which has been listed as a “threatened” species for more than 10 years, under the Act on Canada’s species at risk. ECCC also notes that the Charlevoix sector project “has a high potential to have an additional footprint in the habitat of the Bicknell’s thrush, which risks continuing to worsen its situation”. No less than 70 wind turbines would be built in areas with good potential for the species, calculates the MELCCFP. In the southern sector, it is estimated that at least 10 wind turbines and access roads would encroach on this habitat.
The impact study for the Charlevoix sector rather indicates that “no thrush” was detected during the inventories. However, both ECCC and MELCCFP claim that the assessment is incorrect. To detect their presence, it is necessary to install listening stations which make it possible to capture their song. But in the Charlevoix sector, “no listening station has been located less than 50 meters from a planned wind turbine point”, underlines the MELCCFP. “Consequently, it is impossible to judge the impacts of the project on the habitat of the Bicknell’s thrush and on the species itself. »
In the South sector, ECCC is of the opinion that “the number of stations is low given the territory under study, that it is not related to the planned positioning of the wind turbines and that it was the vast majority outside the habitat of Bicknell’s Thrush”. It should be noted that if the species is present in an area, clearing work would not be permitted from 1er May to August 15, i.e. during the breeding season. In the southern sector, “significant” areas of deforestation are mentioned, i.e. nearly 400 hectares.
The director general of the Society for Nature and Parks of Quebec, Alain Branchaud, asks Minister Steven Guilbeault to intervene. “The importance of the area to the recovery and survival of Bicknell’s Thrush, the lack of adequate protection around nests, and the fact that it is critical habitat identified under the Species Act at risk require the federal Minister of the Environment to recommend that a protection order be issued. »
The two impact studies submitted also conclude that no common nighthawk has been observed in the area. However, ECCC specifies that the project “is located within the breeding range” of this species, which is listed as an endangered species in Canada. However, add the experts from the ministry, “no specific inventory for this species has been carried out”, even if it “could be present”.
The project would also be located within the range of three “endangered” bat species, according to the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Wind farms are considered “one of the main anthropogenic threats to this group of species”, notes the MELCCFP. In addition to the wind turbines themselves, which can kill them, they are vulnerable to habitat destruction. But the impact studies have shortcomings, in particular because they do not deal with the possible presence of hibernation sites.
Expert opinions also point to the lack of documentation on the presence of amphibians in the watercourses of the study area and the lack of “characterization” of the watercourses that contain fish.
woodland caribou
The Charlevoix sector also encroaches on the “critical habitat” of the woodland caribou, and more specifically on that of the Charlevoix herd. It was taken into captivity in 2022, pending the presentation this year of a Quebec strategy for the protection of the species’ habitat. The proponents mention this in their study, which concludes that the project would have no impact on caribou.
However, the MELCCFP does not share this opinion. He estimates that at least 18 wind turbines are planned in the range of the species, as well as “several kilometers of roads to be built”. The department also reminds promoters that “the repercussions on woodland caribou populations are felt not only at infrastructure sites, but also within a radius of up to four kilometers from them. In the specific case of wind turbines, the noise and movement of the blades can generate a change in anti-predator behavior and ultimately an abandonment of optimal habitats”.
In this context, the experts from the Quebec ministry ask that the project “be reviewed in order to completely avoid the establishment of infrastructure within the range of this species”. To build each project, roads are planned, but also trucking, in particular to transport the concrete necessary to build the base of each wind turbine. Available estimates estimate the number of trucks at between 5,000 and 10,000 for each phase of the Des Neiges project.
“Cumulative Impacts”
Director general of Quebec birds, Jean-Sébastien Guénette is not surprised by the shortcomings noted in the two impact studies, saying that he has already observed this type of situation in the context of other projects. However, he believes that it will be essential to continue the studies, in particular to properly document the potential impacts for the Bicknell’s thrush.
In a context of expected multiplication of wind projects in Quebec, Mr. Guénette pleads for a better analysis of the risks for avian fauna. “A research project would be needed to answer the questions we are asking about the impacts of wind turbines on bird species. »
He and Marc Bishai, lawyer at the Center québécois du droit de l’environnement, also believe that it would be important to assess the “cumulative impacts” as part of the analysis of such projects. Me Bishai deplores the fact that this is not the common practice in Quebec. However, it would be necessary, especially in this case, because of the desire to develop three major projects in a single region, where there are already wind development projects.
The duty questioned Hydro-Québec on the risks of the project for species at risk. The crown corporation referred us to Boralex. “We are currently at the question and answer period with the government authorities concerned. This question and answer process is usual and standardized, and aims to clarify certain aspects of the studies submitted as part of the impact study and to identify possible mitigation measures if necessary,” replies Boralex.
Could the project be modified to reduce the impacts on species at risk? “We are sensitive to the questions raised by the ministry and we are in the process of taking note of them and preparing answers. Out of respect for this process, we are unable to answer this question at this time, but our responses will be made public as part of this process.