The environmental impact assessment applies a rigorous methodology to set out the importance of the project’s impacts on the environment, and on public health and safety, and allows to identify measures to mitigate or compensate negative impacts. Initiated in June 2009, the assessment will be completed at the beginning of summer 2010.

Given that the impact assessment of the wharf is presently at its preliminary stage, only the main issues of the project are identified. More specific impacts will be determined in the course of the assessment process.

Potential project issues

The main issues linked to the realization of the project include:

• the protection of fish habitat;
• the rehabilitation of contaminated sediment in Anse du Moulin;
• the modification of the hydro-sedimentological patterns; and
• the nuisances linked to construction activities, such as noise and dust.

At the current stage of the project, solutions are envisaged to minimize or confine potential impacts that may stem from these issues:

• The destruction of fish habitat resulting from the construction of the wharf and the rockfill works may be the subject of a compensation plan;
• Discussions are ongoing regarding a rehabilitation plan designed to implement a permanent solution to the contamination issue at Anse du Moulin;
• The construction activities will be planned in such a way as to minimize impacts.