Notice of Determination

Quebec – June 01, 2023 – Indigenous Services Canada has determined that the proposed Maisons-Embio Lac Simon Inc. is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• impacts on rights of Indigenous peoples;
• Indigenous knowledge;
• community knowledge;
• comments received from the public; and
• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:

- Prior to the start of work, the contractor must submit to the supervisor an environmental protection plan containing, among other things, the management of residual and hazardous materials and the emergency response plan. This protection plan must be approved before work begins.
- Refuel and maintain site machinery at a designated, watertight site located at least 30 m from a watercourse.
- Keep a minimum quantity of gasoline on site.
- Place equipment (e.g. generator, chainsaw, etc.), cans and containers containing hydrocarbons in a bin or between berms capable of holding 125% of the volume of stored reserves.
- Use well-maintained machinery in good working order to reduce the risk of accidental spills, and carry out daily visual inspections.
- Establish and implement an emergency plan in the event of an accidental contaminant spill. Clearly identify the persons and authorities responsible, as well as the procedure to follow in the event of an environmental emergency.
- Ensure that spill kits are readily available in the various work areas, and that they contain the type and quantity of equipment required.

- Have sufficient petroleum product recovery kits on site, and ensure that site employees know and understand how to respond to minor spills.
- Carry out all handling of fuel, oil, other petroleum products or contaminants, including decanting, under constant supervision in order to avoid accidental spills and react promptly in the event of a spill.
- Maintain equipment in perfect working order. Check equipment daily for contaminant leaks, and repair immediately if necessary.
- If soil showing signs of contamination (staining, odour, presence of debris, etc.) is encountered during excavation work, stop work and notify the site supervisor immediately. In the presence of contaminated soil, surface water and/or groundwater, the contractor must manage it properly (safe storage, among other things) and dispose of it at a site authorized by the MELCC.
- In the event of contamination, soils with concentrations exceeding the Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines must be managed as contaminated soils.

- In case of spill, follow emergency plan and promptly notify Urgence Environnement Québec (1-866-694-5454) and ECCC Environmental Emergencies 1-866-283-2333. Use protective measures and containment (absorbent berms), quickly clean up the area (if possible). The site supervisor and project managers (SPAC) must be informed of any event that could contaminate the environment. Telephone numbers will be posted in the site trailer.
- Store any potentially contaminated material on a watertight surface and cover it to prevent wind erosion or surface runoff of particles.
- Hazardous residual materials are disposed of at a site duly authorized by the MELCC. Contaminated soils must be managed in accordance with Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines.
- Respect the work schedule, i.e. between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.
- Respect municipal regulations.
- Turn off engines of vehicles, machinery and equipment when not in use.
- When transporting materials, cover them with securely fastened tarpaulins.
- Use a dust suppressant certified by the Bureau de normalisation du Québec if water is not used.
- Visually monitor dust emissions and take action to control them if necessary.

- Limit clearing and vegetation disturbance to minimum required areas. Mark the limits of the right-of-way. 
- A 5-metre tree line will be maintained on the Route 117 and Cicip Street sides.
- Machinery will have to circulate within the projected limits of the right-of-way.
- Optimize the location of structures to be installed so as to harmonize them with the natural environment, and encourage the preservation of tree islands where possible.
- To prevent the introduction and spread of exotic invasive plant species in the study area, machinery must be cleaned before arriving at the various sites, so as to remove any material that could increase the risk of spreading exotic invasive plant species. Avoid excavating during heavy rain or strong winds.
- Carry out clearing outside the breeding season for avian fauna (between April 30 and August 31).
- Capping material must be analyzed to ensure that it contains no contraminants.
- Machinery will have to circulate within the projected limits of the right-of-way.
- Minimize surface exposure.
- Avoid excavating during heavy rain or strong winds.
- Manage runoff to minimize erosion.

- If possible, reuse excavated soils to backfill the exavation, if these soils are free of contamination.
- If backfill is required, ensure that it is free of contamination.
- Ensure that concrete mixer wash water is recovered.
- Recover trees of commercial value
- Wood waste will be temporarily stored on a geotextile membrane until it can be transferred to a weatherproof location under the big top, where it can be used to fuel wood-burning heating systems.
- Keep the site free of waste, or dispose of it temporarily in watertight containers designed for this purpose.
- No new hazardous materials may be discarded. At the end of the work, the contractor must take back all unused hazardous materials to leave the site perfectly clean.
- All residual materials produced during the work must be collected and disposed of according to their nature. The contractor must ensure that no debris is left on the work site.
- Recover or reclaim residual materials whenever possible, or transport them off-site and dispose of them in accordance with applicable regulations. Off-site waste will be transported to a site authorized by the MELCC.

- The contractor must remove all residual materials, hazardous residual materials, temporary installations, tools, equipment, machinery and materials from the site to leave it perfectly clean.
- Mitigation measures applicable to the use of machinery during the construction phase will also apply during the operational phase.
- Logs will be treated with BRODA products on a stable surface, such as a concrete slab with low walls.
- The warehouse used to store equipment must have a watertight floor. If equipped with a drain, a water-oil separator should also be installed to catch any spillage of petroleum products.
- The floor of the warehouse should be equipped with retaining walls capable of holding 125% of the volume of stored reserves. If a drain is present, the oil-water separator should be able to hold 25% of the total volume of stored containers, or 125% of the capacity of the largest container.
- Log treatment products (BRODA) must be stored in accordance with the specifications set out in their Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), in compliance with current regulations.
- A wood residue management plan must be drawn up to ensure, among other things, that wood residues from mill operations are recycled.

Indigenous Services Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Indigenous Services Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.