230/25‑kV Bonsecours Substation and 230‑kV Supply Line
Environmental assessment process
Hydro‑Québec is conducting detailed on‑site technical studies and environmental inventories to design the project with the least impact and determine appropriate environmental mitigation measures. Environmental studies will look at wetlands and aquatic environments, special‑status plant and wildlife species, land use, archaeology and landscape.
To access the project’s environmental assessment report: see the documentation.
The major steps in the environmental assessment process
Description of the environment
The project team examines the nature of the project and the available site data in order to define a study area, which covers all technically feasible route options and components of the natural and human environments likely to be affected by the project. To document the study area, the project team will conduct detailed inventories of the physical, natural and human environments.
Analysis of constraints and route variants
The project team analyzes the various environmental, social, economic and technical constraints and develops route variants.
The choice of route, impact analysis and mitigation measures
The project team combines the results of the consultation with those of the technical and environmental studies to select the line route variant with the least impact, determine appropriate mitigation measures and optimize the project.
Frequently asked questions
When does the pre‑consultation phase take place?
The pre‑consultation takes place in the early phases of a project, namely at the very beginning of the draft design studies. It is designed to collect comments from local community organizations and Indigenous communities and identify initial concerns and issues.
How is the study area determined?
The project team examines the nature of the project and the available site data in order to define a study area, which covers all technically feasible route options and components of the natural and human environments likely to be affected by the project. The project and the study area are presented to the host community. To document the study area, the project team will conduct detailed inventories of the physical, natural and human environments. The inventories include information resulting from discussions with the host community.
How are the route variants developed?
The project team analyzes the various environmental, social, economic and technical constraints and develops route variants. The host community is consulted regarding the route variants. This step can be broken down into several meetings over a varying length of time. This stage consists of establishing contact between the project team and the host community, presenting the project and its objective, and gathering comments about the various facets of the project, including route variants, expected impacts and potential mitigation measures. Hydro‑Québec’s project team engages in various activities to inform and work with the community and the Indigenous communities to deliver a project together that is tailored to the area.
How are the route variants with the least impact chosen?
The project team combines the results of the consultation with those of the technical and environmental studies to select the line route variant with the least impact, determine appropriate mitigation measures and optimize the project. Once again, the project team meets with the community to confirm the selected solution once the optimization work has been completed. The team then carries out detailed engineering activities to determine the exact location of the structures and the work methods.
Are applications for government approvals required?
Hydro‑Québec submits applications for government approvals once the line route has been chosen. If necessary, the project will be subject to an environmental assessment by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE).
Will the communities be informed of the work involved in building the transmission line once the route variant has been validated?
If the project is authorized, the construction of the power transmission line can begin. During this stage, communities affected are informed of planned work and any site requests or concerns are addressed. Environmental monitoring activities are continually conducted on site to ensure that all the planned mitigation measures are implemented.
When the work is completed, the line is commissioned. The site is then restored and follow‑ups can be carried out.
New 230/25‑kV Bonsecours Substation and 230‑kV Supply Line [in French only]
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