Environmental Impact Assessment

Management Planning

Maillou House National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan

Summary Environmental Assessment

Background

This strategic environmental assessment of the management plan for the Maillou House National Historic Site of Canada is based onCabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policies, Plans and Programs Proposals.

The plan sets out the objectives and management measures in terms of the protection, presentation, management, and full use of the historical site. It provides the framework for subsequent business planning and work. The plan must serve as a guide in striking a balance between public access and preservation of cultural and natural heritage. The strategic environmental assessment is intended to integrate environmental considerations into public policy development. Its goal is to identify and strategically evaluate the main environmental challenges inherent to developing the Maillou House National Historic Site of Canada.

Methodological approach

The methodological approach adopted for the environmental assessment of the plan consists of a number of steps. The plan’s compliance with policies is the first area covered. Next, the national historical site’s theme and the objectives and management measures intended to attain or maintain the site’s commemorative integrity are presented. The scope of the assessment and sources of environmental stress are then identified. Lastly, the assessment reviews strategic mitigation measures and residual impacts.

Scope

This environmental assessment is founded on existing documentation as well as the opinions of various experts in natural and cultural resource management.

The assessment covers the entire Parks Canada –designated and administered area. The designated area encompasses all resources directly related to the reasons the area has been designated a national historical site. It incorporates the House and the outbuildings. The administered area not included in the designated site is under lease by Fairmont Le Château Frontenac for its multilevel parking garage. The timeframe of the assessment depends on the vision of the management plan. According to guidelines, the plan, though it ha been meant to be revised every five years, should be drawn up to cover a 15 year period.

Policy compliance

The management plan for this site complies with all applicable Parks Canada statutes and policies, including theNational Parks Act, the Parks Canada Agency Act, and the ones that are published in Parks Canada Guiding Principles and Operational Policies. It also complies with the government’s environmental orientations relating to sustainable development and climate change. The developments and activities proposed for the designated site and the Parks Canada administered site do not compromise its commemorative integrity or knowledge and appreciation of its heritage value. As a whole, they lend support to Parks Canada’s mandate.

Sources of impact and mitigating measures

This environmental assessment is intended to identify sources of stress or threat, current and potential stressors, and their primary origins.
The environmental assessment has established several sources of stress with mild impacts on cultural and natural resources. Inadequate work or accidents during maintenance can damage resources.

However, most work is performed by or under the supervision of Parks Canada employees. Staff is aware of the importance of preserving the commemorative integrity and environment, and thus seeks to reduce the risk of inappropriate actions. The municipality’s use of de-icers and the proximity of a busy street may affect the integrity of the outside of the building. Like de-icers, vandalism is a source of stress, but with minor impacts on resource integrity.

The management measures set out in the management plan have a positive or mitigating impact on certain activities. In general, they promote improved commemorative integrity.

The environmental assessment has put forward the following mitigating measures to protect cultural resources and the environment:

• Inform the managers and users in the designated area of the presence and meaning of the cultural resources on their property
• Assess the importance and impacts of de-icers and vandalism on the commemorative integrity of the site, and whether mitigating measures should be put into place
• In cooperation with the tenant, assess means of improving the environmental management of operations and activities at the Maillou House

Residual impacts

As a whole, the management and mitigation measures identified in the management plan help mitigate environmental stressors, particularly in the national historic site. These measures support Parks Canada’s efforts to ensure the site’s commemorative integrity.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this environmental assessment and the information available, the development concept for the designated site and the Parks Canada administered site is acceptable from both an environmental and heritage standpoint. As a whole, the objectives and management measures presented in the management plan are supportive of Parks Canada’s mandate and management policies.

Any project related to the application of this concept will be subject to an environmental assessment, in compliance with the provisions of theCanadian Environmental Assessment Act or the directives and policies of Environment Canada and Parks Canada.