Local farmers’ union president in support
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In the aftermath of the tragic Lac-Mégantic railroad disaster in 2013, which claimed the lives of 47 people, there have been ongoing discussions about the construction of a rail bypass to prevent future catastrophes. However, recent developments have sparked significant controversy and concern among local residents, prompting the Coalition des Victimes Collatérales to initiate a petition calling for a new mandate to the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE) before the bypass project proceeds further.
The petition, launched on Aug. 4, and set to close on Oct. 15, has already garnered over 100 signatures. It is being supported by Sherbrooke MNA Christine Labrie. The coalition’s petition outlines several pressing issues that they say warrant a thorough re-examination by BAPE.
Key concerns highlighted in the petition
The petition emphasizes various health and safety concerns that have emerged since the initial BAPE reviews in 2017 and 2019. Among these are risks of contamination and reduction in drinking water quality, as confirmed by a recent hydrology study. The extent of wetland destruction has also alarmingly doubled between 2019 and 2023, raising fears about the impact on the Chaudière River’s water quality and flow due to blasting work and the destruction of wetlands.
One of the critical points raised is the lack of transparency and public consultation regarding the selected route, which passes through an area where mining activities are prohibited to protect a groundwater catchment. The relocation of the rail yard to the industrial park and its impact on neighbouring residences were also not subject to public consultations, according to the petition.
The proposed route’s technical details add to the concerns. The new bypass will not reduce the altitude difference and will include more pronounced curves, potentially leading to faster train speeds. Furthermore, the estimated project cost has skyrocketed from $133 million to over $1 billion, financed by public funds, intensifying opposition in the municipalities of Nantes and Frontenac, which have formally withdrawn their support.
Farmers’ perspective: An interview with UPA-Estrie’s president
In an Aug. 7 interview, local farmers’ union UPA-Estrie President Michel Brien detailed the profound impact of the proposed bypass on local farmers. Brien highlighted that the chosen route necessitates extensive excavation, with certain sections reaching depths of up to 28 meters (approximately 100 feet), which poses a significant threat to the water table.
“The problem is the chosen route requires a lot of excavation,” Brien explained. “At some points, they will be digging up to 28 meters deep, even going 10 meters below the water table. This will lower the water table, causing concerns about water supply for both producers and surrounding citizens.”
Brien elaborated on the broader implications for agricultural and forestry producers, noting that merely laying a single railroad track might not seem disruptive, but the extensive excavation required for the bypass complicates matters. The installation of crossings for landowners to access their properties across the railway is another significant concern.
“The crossings proposed by the company are costly and their long-term maintenance is not guaranteed,” Brien said. “While the government initially funds these crossings, future maintenance expenses may fall on the local community, which is unsustainable.”
Economic and environmental impact
Brien also pointed out the project’s exorbitant costs, which have ballooned due to the need to cross the Chaudière River and significant excavation work. “Normally, building a bypass under standard conditions might cost around $100,000. But crossing the Chaudière River and extensive excavation makes this project excessively expensive,” he noted.
The environmental ramifications are equally troubling. Brien highlighted that the project will destroy 60 hectares of wetlands, significantly affecting the region’s ecosystem, including the Chaudière River and Lac-Mégantic. “We cannot cause a million tonnes of upheaval without expecting sediment displacement,” he said. The dynamiting and excavation activities pose serious risks to water quality and availability, not just for agriculture but for the entire community.
Local opposition and future prospects
Despite the project’s advanced stage, local opposition remains robust. Brien revealed that even within Lac-Mégantic, 68 per cent of citizens are against the bypass, with a referendum showing 92 per cent opposition. The opposition is not solely based on environmental and agricultural concerns; economic implications and the potential for job creation are also factors.
Brien criticized the decision-making process, suggesting that more collaborative efforts with all affected municipalities could have led to a more acceptable solution. “It’s easy for the main municipality to say, ‘Let’s move this problem to our neighbours and let them deal with it.’ But a more inclusive approach could have led to a consensus,” he remarked.