Science Response 2014/020

Impacts of Geophysical Surveys in the port of Cacouna on the St. Lawrence Beluga

Context

Energy East Pipeline Ltd., a subsidiary of TransCanada, proposes to construct and operate a 4 600 km-long pipeline to transport crude oil from Alberta and Saskatchewan to terminals in Quebec and New Brunswick. The terminals include three existing refineries in eastern Canada and two marine terminals, which will be used to export crude oil to international markets. The Cacouna harbour area is one of the project's marine terminals.

In the early summer of 2014, Energy East Pipeline Ltd. plans to submit to the National Energy Board (NEB) a project approval request, including an in-depth study of the environmental and socio-economic effects associated with the project (ESA). The Proponent submitted a request to DFO's Regional Ecosystems Management Directorate (REMD) to conduct geophysical surveys in the Cacouna harbour area. The objective is to determine the characteristics of the sea floor so that the structures required to establish a terminal in this area can be defined. This information will help TransCanada prepare its NEB application and the ESA.

This Science Response stems from a request that the REMD submitted to the Regional Science Branch. The REMD wishes to obtain further information about the impacts that the project is likely to have on individuals and the St. Lawrence Beluga's survival and recovery. In order to make an informed decision about the project, the REMD is seeking scientific advice in relation to the following questions:

1. Are the estimates provided by the Proponent realistic regarding noise levels generated by the work and the propagation distances?
2. Is the project, as proposed, likely to create significant disturbance for, or have a major impact on, the Beluga?
3. Are the mitigation measures proposed by the Proponent acceptable and sufficient?
4. If necessary, what additional mitigation measures would help reduce the disturbance or impact to make them acceptable?
5. In the event the project causes significant disturbance to the Beluga despite the implementation of additional mitigation measures, is the disturbance likely to jeopardize the St. Lawrence Beluga population's survival or recovery?
6. Are any other marine mammal species likely to be present during the period in question? If so, do the impact assessments and mitigation measures for the Beluga apply to those species?

The REMD requires a prompt response to the above-listed items so that the project (i.e. the geophysical surveys) can start in March if the impacts are deemed acceptable. The request for advice was submitted by the REMD on February 25, 2014.

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