Rehabilitation of the lighthouse of l'île aux Oeufs

2023-08-25  Fisheries and Oceans Canada has determined that this project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects following the implementation of the following mitigation measures :

General

• Properly delineate the work area
• Work as much as possible in low winds
• Carry out the work outside the nesting and rearing period for young common eiders, from the end of May to August 15
• If traveling by boat, approach the island at low speed between August 15 and August 31
• Carry out the work outside of the eider down harvest period, i.e. during the beginning of June
• Place paint chips and other contaminated materials in an airtight container and bring them to a designated site

 

Mobilization / demobilization

• If possible, allow workers to travel by boat
• Dock or land as close to the lighthouse as possible to limit the number and importance of trips to the rest of the island
• If the transport is by boat, land on a beach or in a place that does not require the installation of a new structure
• If possible, favor an approach to the island from the south, to avoid disturbing the bird colonies to the north of the island
• Move around using existing footbridges or existing trails on the island to avoid damaging vegetation, if any
• If trips must be made off existing trails, restore vegetation to its original state with the seeding of native plants as needed
• Move over rock as much as possible to limit damage to vegetation, and bypass the wooded areas of the island to limit the impact of work on birds and plants

 

Paint scraping

• Install a polyethylene membrane on the ground to collect paint chips
• Use a vacuum cleaner to pick up shavings as the work progresses
• If necessary, use a sandblaster fitted with a bag to collect the dust
• Wherever possible, use battery operated equipment
• Have a sufficient number of batteries for the day and charge them off site overnight
• Store paint residues in airtight containers or bags and bring them to a site provided for this purpose

 

Accidents and Malfunctions

• Execute, under constant supervision, any handling of fuel, oil, other petroleum products or contaminants, including the transfer, in order to avoid accidental spills and to react promptly, if necessary
• Store hazardous materials in accordance with good regulatory practices
• Use equipment in good working order and free of any leaks
• Have the equipment inspected by a qualified mechanic before starting work to ensure that there is no breakage that could lead to the loss of hydrocarbons or any other contaminant. Fix nonconformities as soon as possible
• Equip the equipment with an oil recovery kit in the event of an accidental spill
• Place equipment (e.g. generator), drums and containers containing hydrocarbons in a bin or between berms capable of collecting 125% of the volume of stored reserves
• Provide for the establishment and application of an emergency plan in the event of an accidental spill of contaminants. Clearly identify the persons and authorities responsible as well as the procedure to follow in the event of an environmental emergency. Ensure that the intervention plan contains, at a minimum, an intervention scheme and an alert structure that are known to all employees
• In the event of a spill, notify the Fisheries and Oceans Canada Project Authority as soon as possible. In the event of a spill, apply the emergency plan. Notify Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) as well as the MELCCFP, use protection and containment measures (absorbent berms) and quickly clean the area (if possible). Inform Urgence-Environnement (1 866 694-5454) of any accident that could disturb the environment