Various studies have been completed by a panel of experts, notably engineers, agronomists and biologists, to assess the feasibility of the Heritage Project and ascertain the conditions necessary to minimize impacts and maximize benefits. See below to learn more about these studies.
The impact assessment concluded that Graymont’s Bedford plant contributes in a major way to the region and that an interruption of its operations would have significant economic consequences. Graymont accounts for approximately 15 % of the Greater Bedford area’s GDP and supports 200 local direct and indirect jobs (Génivar (now WSP), 2013).
The impact assessment established that wetlands and aquatic habitats will be affected to some extent by the Heritage Project. Graymont has compensated for these impacts by creating new protected areas of equal or superior ecological value, with the collaboration of the Nature Conservancy Canada (WSP and Englobe, 2013 – ongoing).
Studies have determined the optimal incline for the hills to be created, and the necessary measures to ensure their stability. Technical experts recommended a maximum incline of 30 degrees. The project’s development plan incorporates inclines between 10 and 27 degrees.
Progressive revegetation will also contribute to the general stability of the hills (Golder and assoc. and WSP, 2013).
The hydrological study predicted an increase in water runoff resulting from the creation of the Heritage Project. Experts recommended the installation of sedimentation tanks to ensure that water reaching the hydrological system is compliant with the most stringent environmental regulations (WSP, partner since 2013).
The lands affected by the Heritage Project are listed under agricultural, extraction and urbanization designations. The zoning study concluded that current zoning regulations do not hinder the project’s development. However, additional municipal and provincial authorizations were required to undertake work in certain areas (Denicourt, 2017).
An ongoing study aims to establish the best measures to ensure effective and sustainable vegetation of the hills (types of plants, soil and plant growth times). Hill vegetation will be pursued during the entirety of the Heritage Project (Englobe, 2013 - ongoing).
To limit dust dispersion, the impact assessment recommended the installation of automatic water sprinklers along the main roads to be used by trucks within the project site. This system was successfully used during the testing phase of the Maska Project (WSP, 2017).
To reduce noise levels, studies recommended the construction of acoustic walls specifically designed to limit the project’s impact on the neighbourhood. They also suggested that additional measures be taken during the construction phase, notably to restrict work shifts to weekdays between 7 am and 6 pm, to use quieter equipment and to utilize this equipment behind the acoustic walls. Additionally, the studies suggested installing three permanent noise-measuring stations within the City of Bedford, to facilitate continuous meter readings and warn managers if noise levels exceed standards (WSP and Soft dB, 2017-2018).
The creation of a Regional Park and green space will result in the loss of agronomic value of reforested areas. To minimize the Heritage Project’s footprint on agricultural land, the construction phase will be supervised by an independent agronomist, as required by the CPTAQ (UDA, 2013).
To prevent truck traffic from disturbing local public traffic, the study suggested creating a private road for trucks inside the work site, surrounded by acoustic walls (WSP, 2017).