Environmental Impact Assessment

Management Planning

Manoir Papineau National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan

Background

The management plan for Manoir Papineau National Historic Site of Canada was subject

to a strategic environmental review in accordance with the Cabinet directive on theEnvironmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals , a federal self-assessment tool used by departments and agencies to broadly determine, assess and mitigate the environmental repercussions of projected development and activities. Under Parks Canada national management directive 2.4.2 on impact assessment, the scope of these environmental assessments also includes cultural resources so that only one report is required. The environmental impact assessment of the present management plan is contained in a separate document titled Examen environnemental stratégique du plan directeur du lieu historique national du Canada du Manoir Papineau , [Strategic environmental assessment of the management plan for Manoir Papineau National Historic Site of Canada ]. Below is a brief summary of that report.

Management of the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site of Canada must take into account the fact that the site covers a limited area and is bordered by the Montebello station and Château Montebello, making access to the site difficult. The forest resources found on the site are part of a larger wooded area that extends beyond Parks Canada property.

Methodology

The approach used for assessing the management plan consists of several steps. The directions outlined in the plan are initially reviewed to ensure that they are in accordance with Parks Canada’s mandate and policies. The development and activities involved in presentation of the site are examined in order to bring to light any sources of stress. Impacts identified are then characterized in terms of duration (temporary or permanent impact) and extent (no impact, little impact, mitigatable, non-mitigatable, unknown). General measures aimed at lessening the negative impacts anticipated are then determined.

Scope

This environmental impact assessment was based on existing documents and on the opinion of experts in natural and cultural resource management. Biophysical resources (soil, air, water, vegetation and wildlife) and cultural resources (cultural landscapes, built heritage and archaeological resources) were taken into consideration. The examination of cumulative impacts, however, was limited to the site’s presented elements.

Appropriateness of the Strategic Goals outlined in the Management Plan

The development and activities proposed in the present management plan jeopardize neither the commemorative integrity nor the knowledge and appreciation of heritage. On the contrary, they stand to strengthen these components.

The strategic goals aimed at protecting and presenting the natural resources that are outlined in the management plan are relatively specific. They are subject to an eventual plan for the protection and development of cultural landscapes. The directives in the plan could have an incidence on the protection of such resources.

Identification of Sources of Impact and Assessment of Concerns

An analysis of anticipated impacts on natural resources raises concerns that the restoration of buildings, landscape work and the implementation of self-guided tours could potentially have negative impacts on the environment, particularly the vegetation. Because of the small area covered by the site, the tourist trade in the region and the access control problem, usage of the site will be all the more unpredictable and during the busy season it will become more difficult to confine visitors to the areas intended for their use. In addition, the thin layer of glacial till maintaining the Cape Bonsecours forest populations renders that area fragile, especially because of the likelihood of erosion on the steep slopes.

Furthermore, it is important to note that poison ivy is growing in certain areas of the property and thus poses a danger of skin irritations to both visitors and the researchers and maintenance personnel working on the site.

The negative impacts anticipated on cultural resources are also cause for concern but these impacts are mitigatable. There is considerable concern over proposed landscaping interventions aimed at developing a certain degree of continuity between the cultural landscape of the past and the current process for presenting that landscape. The period of time between these two active “eras” has seen some deterioration in the cultural resources, including the cultural landscape. With that context in mind, and based on the findings of ethnohistorical, archaeological and other studies conducted, we will have to ensure that all elements that define the spirit of the place are protected and restored by renewing the association between built heritage and its particular landscape setting.

Should Parks Canada eventually reach an agreement that would allow the construction of a parking lot on the property between Montebello station and Manor House Road, it goes without saying that such a development would have an impact on the densely wooded environment. Environmental impact studies will need to be conducted and mitigation measures will have to be determined prior to the design phase of building this parking area.

In addition, projected presentation work could have negative secondary effects on cultural landscapes if appropriate measures are not strictly applied to protect the landscaping elements during the work (for example, the comings and goings of heavy machinery and the removal of waste material). Some of the archaeological resources could be threatened by the circulation of vehicles, invasive vegetation (the icehouse, for example), construction work nearby and landscaping work if proper measures are not taken. Archaeological resources that have not yet been found are vulnerable in that they are not visible on the surface of the ground and therefore cannot be protected as would normally be the case.

The eventual implementation of public transportation in the form of a shuttle bus could have a negative impact on the protection and presentation of the cultural heritage of the site (erosion, conflict with pedestrian traffic, parking, noise, dust, etc.), if proper steps are not taken.

Lastly, the conservation and security of original furnishings and objects that will be used in the presentation of the manor house is a concern that has already been addressed. Mitigation measures have already been proposed, including having visitors be accompanied by interpretive guides.

Cumulative Impacts

The environmental impact assessment only examined cumulative impacts on presented elements at the site. Based on our current knowledge of the surroundings and how the presentation proposed would interact with the environment, the following key components were noted:

• The site’s vegetation is part of a much larger forest region, most of which is not under Parks Canada jurisdiction. Development of the site and the hotel complex nearby have already had a detrimental effect on the forest cover. The natural environment will be subjected to additional stress, particularly as a result of landscaping work and increased visitation of the site.
• As for impacts on the site’s cultural heritage, the combined effects of time, successive restoration and landscaping work and considerable visitor traffic are all significant factors that put stress on the site’s relatively fragile and non-renewable resources. Without an approach that respects the heritage fabric of the site and a tight control of the development of facilities for visitor reception and self-guided tours, conservation of the essential characteristics of this national historic site could be threatened.

Mitigation Measures

In order to mitigate the likely negative impacts of presenting the site, the following measures will need to be implemented:

• During presentation work, efforts will have to be made to protect the vegetation present in and around the work area.
• The plan for protecting and presenting landscapes will have to take into account the changing nature of plant communities and will seek to preserve their characteristics should it be necessary to make clearings to recreate cultural landscapes.
• To prevent the danger of visitors or employees coming into contact with poison ivy, periodic surveys of the grounds will have to be conducted and warning signs posted. Employees involved in research or landscaping work will be provided with protective clothing and equipment. If necessary, selective eradication of the poison ivy may be considered.
• A program of preventative excavation and/or archaeological monitoring will have to be implemented throughout all excavation and landscaping work associated with the construction, repair or presentation of buildings and other structures, or the installation of services. If need be, steps will have to be taken (salvage excavations or soil stabilization) to prevent the deterioration of vestiges uncovered for permanent exhibition purposes.

Conclusion

The results of this environmental impact assessment lead us to conclude that based on the information currently available, the presentation concept adopted for the site is acceptable from the environmental and heritage standpoint. Overall, the plan’s strategic directions are consistent with Parks Canada’s mandate and management policies.

The assessment has, however, raised certain concerns regarding the protection of cultural and natural resources. Potential conflicts between preservation of commemorative integrity and protection of natural heritage have been noted. Solutions or at least partial solutions will be addressed when various management documents are drawn up, such as the plan for the preservation and development of cultural landscapes and the natural resource management plan. This general environmental impact assessment indicates that directions relative to presentation of this historic site do not conflict with objectives aimed at preserving commemorative integrity and protecting natural heritage. The potential negative impacts raising the most concern will be mitigatable through the implementation of known technical measures or other means that have proven to be effective in the past. In accordance with theCanadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) or Department of the Environment and Parks Canada directives and policies, more detailed environmental assessments will have to be conducted at a later stage in the planning process when the projects will be more clearly defined.