The Legault government has just authorized Northvolt to destroy the natural environment of the site of the future factory, which has escaped an environmental impact assessment. The company, which plans to begin work in the coming days, estimates that 8,000 trees will still need to be felled in addition to the numerous wetlands destroyed. The country has previously been home to a rich biodiversity.
As Northvolt announced on Tuesday morning, the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) granted it “authorization to intervene in wet and aquatic environments”. Around 130,000 square meters of wetlands will thus disappear to make way for the site of this factory financed by Quebec and Ottawa.
All that is missing is a building permit from the city of Saint-Basile-le-Grand, which will benefit the project, so that the felling of trees and the leveling of the site can begin, the company also confirmed, which organized a meeting with media to ask for details to present upcoming work.
Nature has reclaimed its rights on the site of the former Canadian Industries Limited explosives factory near the Richelieu River. When Le Devoir passed by there was plenty of snow covering it. In the background is Mont Saint-Hilaire. Various types of trees grow along the paths of the industry that has been located there for decades.
Northvolt, which did not have to prepare an environmental impact study or undergo an environmental impact assessment for its industrial project, assures that it will carry out “a comprehensive project to protect the natural environment”, in particular by avoiding certain areas of the country that contain more sensitive areas. However, Laurent Therrien, director of public affairs in North America at Northvolt, is not closing the door to future interventions as expansion phases see the light of day. There are habitats of endangered species on the site.
74 wetlands
During Tuesday's visit, Mr Therrien gave the example of a small watercourse that should be preserved. “A stream has a higher environmental value,” he says. The same applies to the potential habitat of the little bittern. Wetlands do not all have the same characteristics. […] When we think about how to implement the implementation plan, we try to minimize the impact on what has the greatest environmental value. »
The natural area, which will largely be destroyed to make way for the gigafactory, has no fewer than 74 wetlands, 62 of which are of “medium” or “high” importance for “biodiversity conservation,” according to a report prepared for Northvolt and received from Le Devoir. The Montérégie region has lost most of its natural environment over the decades due to urban sprawl and agricultural development.
The company did not give a number on Tuesday, but instead referred to the 130,000 square meters that would be destroyed or everything it had asked the government to do. To compensate for this destruction, Northvolt paid $4.75 million to the state's Environmental and Water Conservation Fund.
CIMA+ also documented the presence of herpetofauna, which includes amphibians and reptiles, for the company. In particular, his work shows that the inventory made it possible to “confirm the presence of several painted turtles and snapping turtles on the site.” Since the site preparation work is planned during these turtles' hibernation period, they should be buried alive.
Trees felled, trees planted
Northvolt also wants to provide compensation for planned tree felling. While 8,730 live trees and 5,365 dead trees will be felled, a total of 24,000 trees are expected to be planted elsewhere on the site or in the surrounding area.
The company hired the Urban Wood Valorization Center (CVBU), a nonprofit organization in Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, to cut down, recycle and replant the trees. The felled trees are used either as biomass for greenhouse producers, as raw material in the pulp and paper industry, or as boards for making various items such as poles, posts, and hardwood floors. Some of the wood is used on site, for example as interior cladding.
“We are not talking about a plantation like in forestry with 10 cm high spruces,” explains Maxime Bourdeau, general director of the CVBU. More than half of the trees planted will be landscape trees, such as those found in nurseries. »
Tree felling must be completed before spring in order for Northvolt to comply with the 1994 Migratory Bird Convention. This law prohibits work during the breeding season. The habitat previously used by these bird species may therefore be destroyed because the breeding season has ended. At least 142 species of birds are common here, some of which are threatened.
In addition, Northvolt plans to pump water from the Richelieu River as part of its activities. The planned quantities are currently unknown, but this water will be treated on site before being discharged into the river.
The MELCCFP issued a press release on Tuesday to announce the issuance of the permit on Monday. “The location is suitable for industrial use,” said the ministry. A sector of 30 to 50 hectares must be preserved or restored elsewhere in Quebec, but Northvolt has three years to propose a site to the ministry and obtain its approval.
Northvolt also hopes to begin construction on buildings in the summer, which will require further permits. “It is estimated that between 15 and 30 permits will be required to build the entire Phase 1. This is a work that is carried out continuously with the Ministry,” specifies Mr. Therrien.
“The announced protection of 50 hectares of habitat on the site itself, including water and wetlands, is good news in these circumstances. However, we remain convinced that this project requires an independent environmental assessment, particularly in view of the need to withdraw a significant amount of water from the copper red horse's habitat in order to ensure the operation of the facility,” said the company's general director for Nature and Parks of Quebec, Alain Branchaud.