NOTICE OF DETERMINATION

ugust 4th 2022 – Transport Canada has determined that the proposed project at Sept-Îles Airport 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:

Excavation work and soil protection

• Before the start of the excavation work, localize underground services with the persons or organizations concerned.
• During excavation work, if soil showing signs of contamination or residual materials are encountered, these must be stored on a waterproof membrane (and also covered with a waterproof membrane) or in a waterproof container, analyzed and managed according to their levels of contamination in authorized sites that comply with the regulations in force. These soils or materials must not be reused on site. In this case, a characterization report, including the management of the soil, must be produced by a specialized firm and sent to the Transport Canada environmental officer responsible for the Sept-Îles Airport.

Soil excavations and fills

• If possible, reuse the excavations that show no signs of contamination in the work area from where they were excavated, which means in this project to reuse the excavations on the embankments of the ditches if possible.
• If reuse is not possible due to an excess volume, the excavated material must be disposed off Transport Canada land, in an authorized site. No excavated material not reused must be left on the site at the end of the work. Prior to their disposal off-site, the excavated soils must have been the subject of an environmental characterization according to the criteria of the Intervention guide Soil protection and rehabilitation of contaminated sites of the MELCC. The soils can thus be disposed of in accordance with provincial regulations, including the recent regulations concerning the monitoring of contaminated soils.
• Any backfill material imported onto the site must be clean, i.e. less than criterion "A" of the Intervention Guide, Soil Protection and Contaminated Land Rehabilitation of the MELCC. A certificate of analysis of the quality of the backfill material is required.

Use of machinery

• Ensure that equipment and machinery are in good working order and free from hydrocarbon leaks.
• Carry out maintenance, cleaning and refueling of equipment and vehicles in the places provided for this purpose, on a watertight surface, at a distance of at least 30 meters from watercourses and 15 meters from ditches and drainage.

Migratory birds

• Minimize the disturbance of migratory birds by favoring a work schedule so as to avoid sensitive periods; the general nesting period for the area including Sept-Îles according to ECCC, is from late April to mid-August.
• Limit clearing, stripping and deforestation to reduce the loss of habitats for avian fauna and restore the site immediately after the construction phase.

Accidents and Malfunctions

• Appropriate fire extinguishers must be present at the work site.
• Provide an environmental emergency kit, in order to be able to intervene on the spot in the event of a spill, this kit must be available at all times during the work.
• In the event of a spill, recover any contamination, whether it is the spilled product, soil or water affected by this contamination. Notify the airport manager immediately. Also notify the Transport Canada environmental officer responsible for the site as soon as possible.
• Any spill having an impact on the environment must be declared to the emergency services of ECCC (1-866-283-2333) and to the Urgence Environnement service of the MELCC at 1-866-694-5454.

Management of hazardous materials and hazardous waste

• The contractor must comply with all applicable regulations regarding the transportation, storage, handling and disposal of hazardous materials and hazardous waste.
• The contractor must ensure that residual materials temporarily stored on site are not blown away.
• Ensure at all times that no waste is left on the site at the end of the work.

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

Therefore, Transport 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.