Should the Bécancour Port Expand with a New 390-Metre Wharf?
Official title: Bécancour Port Terminal Expansion Project – B6 Wharf
A new wharf is proposed for the Port of Bécancour on the St. Lawrence River in Quebec. The B6 wharf would be 390 metres long and handle large cargo ships over 25,000 tonnes. The project includes dredging the riverbed and building a storage area. The federal government wants to know what environmental and community issues should be considered.
Why This Matters
Live near Bécancour or along the St. Lawrence? This project could mean more ship traffic, dredging, and industrial activity in your area. Dredging stirs up sediment and can affect water quality and fish habitat. More ships mean more noise and emissions near the shoreline.
What Could Change
If approved, a 390-metre wharf would be built to handle ships over 25,000 tonnes. The riverbed would be dredged to accommodate larger vessels. A new storage area would be constructed on port lands. This is the early planning phase—the government is gathering issues before deciding whether a full environmental assessment is needed.
Key Issues
- What environmental impacts could dredging and wharf construction have on the St. Lawrence River?
- How might increased ship traffic affect local communities and ecosystems?
- What issues should be included in the summary for the proponent to address?
How to Participate
- Review the summary of the Initial Project Description to understand what's being proposed.
- Submit comments online through the project home page on the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (reference number 90011).
- If you prefer a different format, contact IAAC at becancour@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.