Environmental Impact Assessment

Management Planning

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada Management Plan

Context

The Management Plan for Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada has undergone a strategic environmental review in accordance with the Cabinet Directive entitled “Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.” This federal environmental assessment process is a self-evaluation mechanism used by federal departments and agencies to determine, assess and generally mitigate the environmental impacts of projects or activities they plan to undertake. In accordance with Parks Canada’s Management Directive 2.4.2 on impact assessment, the scope of these environmental assessments extends to cultural resources, so that all the factors bearing on the assessment are included in the same report. The environmental assessment of this Management Plan is presented in a separate document entitled “Évaluation environnementale stratégique du plan directeur du lieu historique national du Canada du Canalde-Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue.” The following sections provide a summary of this document.

Methodological Approach

The environmental assessment of the Management Plan was carried out in several stages. The first consisted of determining the scope of the assessment with respect both to the elements to be considered and to the temporal and spatial limits of the exercise. Then the general directions presented in the Management Plan were examined to ensure that they accorded with the mandate and policies of Parks Canada. The next step involved identifying the stressors that might result from the presentation of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada. These potential impacts were defined by using a matrix that showed the relationship between elements of the Management Plan and components of the receiving environment. The impacts were then characterized according to their duration (temporary or permanent impact) and intensity (no impact, weak impact, impact that could be mitigated or not, or unknown impact). The cumulative effect of these impacts was assessed by determining to what degree the interaction of certain elements in the Management Plan would contribute to improving or impairing key components of the environment. Finally, general measures intended to reduce anticipated negative impacts were defined.

Scope of the Environmental Assessment

This environmental assessment is based on existing documentation as well as on the opinions of various specialists in the management of cultural and natural resources. The assessment takes into consideration both biophysical resources (soil, air, water, vegetation and wildlife) and cultural resources (cultural landscapes, built heritage and archaeological resources). However, the study of cumulative impacts deals only with the resources that are considered significant in the environment.

Compliance of the Management Plan’s Strategic Directions

The projects and activities proposed in the Management Plan for Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada in no way compromise the site’s commemorative integrity. Indeed, in many cases, they provide support for this basic component of Parks Canada’s mandate by contributing, to varying degrees, to knowledge and appreciation of the site. Heritage areas are designated and managed in accordance with their intrinsic and symbolic values and for the benefit of the general public. The protection and presentation of these resources should be adapted to their importance, fragility and interest. The strategic directions advocated in the Management Plan for Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada satisfy this imperative.

Identifying Impact Sources and Evaluating Preoccupations

Owing to the urban nature and intensive use of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada, the preservation of its natural components is related primarily to preserving the surrounding environment. In general, the anticipated impacts on natural resources do not give cause for concern. However, the increased level of services offered to shoreside visitors and pleasure boaters, particularly through the improvements planned in the area around the lock and the greater number of mooring places, raises concerns about possible negative impacts on the environment. Indeed, it is hard to predict the extent to which site use will increase, and, during peak periods, it will be difficult to keep visitors in the areas specially designed for them. The site’s ornamental vegetation is likely to be trampled and damaged. Similarly, birdlife and fish are likely to be disturbed by the growing number of visitors, although the impact might not be as great as anticipated given that wildlife frequent this sector to only a limited degree.

The main source of potential negative impacts on the site’s cultural resources is the projected increase in the level of services to shoreside visitors and pleasure boaters. Reorganization of the area for the purpose of delivering services might have major repercussions on both buried and surface resources, while growth in the number of visitors could damage or lead to the premature wear of surface vestiges.

Any effort to market the site through products and services that fail to highlight its historical value or that are out of keeping with the main messages delivered to underscore this aspect would inevitably be detrimental to preserving its cultural character.

Cumulative Impacts

This strategic environmental assessment examined only cumulative impacts on resources considered significant in the environment. On the basis of the knowledge currently available on the environment of Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada and of the interaction of the proposal with the site’s environment, the following measures are likely to boost the number of visitors to the site: consolidating access through two main entrances; installing new reception and interpretation facilities on the site; setting up a boardwalk along the lock; rebuilding the old superintendent’s house; and increasing the number of mooring pontoons. This growth in the number of visitors could have a negative impact on birdlife and fish as well as on the site’s ornamental vegetation. However, the anticipated impact might be relatively light owing to the prevailing urban context and limited presence of wildlife.

Mitigation Strategies

To counteract the negative impacts on natural resources that are likely to result from presenting Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue Canal National Historic Site of Canada, every effort will be made to protect the vegetation in and around the area that would be affected by reconstruction, repair or presentation work. In addition, consolidating site use by shoreside visitors and pleasure boaters must take into account the effect of trampling on the vegetation’s natural regeneration.

Mitigation strategies for minimizing negative impacts on the site’s cultural resources have still not been defined. However, they should be established in implementing the Master Plan.

Conclusion

The results of this strategic environmental assessment lead to the conclusion that, on the basis of the knowledge currently available, the presentation concept adopted for this site is satisfactory from an environmental perspective. As a whole, the plan’s strategic directions are consistent with Parks Canada’s mandate and management policies. However, this examination has highlighted concerns with respect to protecting cultural and natural resources alike. By the same token, a number of potential conflicts between presenting the site and protecting its natural and cultural heritage have been noted.

The potential negative impacts of greatest concern can be mitigated through known techniques and methods or other time-tested means. In-depth environmental assessments should be conducted at a future planning stage, once projects have been more clearly defined.