#Croisière
CRUISE TERMINAL PROJECT AT PIER 30 ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PROCESS
08/23/2019
In August 2018, the QPA announced its plan to improve the infrastructure for receiving international cruises by building a second cruise terminal, which will be located at Pier 30. Sure to be a boon for the tourism and marine industry, this project requires a total investment of $30 million and has been made possible thanks to $15 million in funding from the Government of Quebec and $5 million from the City of Québec.
The proposed project
To maintain its position as a strategic embarkation/disembarkation port on the St. Lawrence, the Port of Québec must adapt its infrastructure to accommodate the growing size of cruiseliners. While the Ross Gaudreault Terminal has a capacity of less than 3,600 passengers in simultaneous embarkation and disembarkation, the new terminal will be designed to receive large ships holding 4,000 to 5,000 passengers. The project also includes development of the site, access points, and a gangway.
This new permanent structure at Pier 30 will replace the temporary facilities currently being used to welcome cruise passengers, which will greatly improve the guest experience.
The Port of Québec’s commitment to building future-ready cruise facilities grew out of the interest, expressed during the first international cruise forum held in 2014, among Québec’s tourism and business community in developing that market. And just like the Ross Gaudreault Terminal, the cruise terminal at Pier 30 could be used for other purposes when it is not being used for cruises.
This project will be evaluated through the Environmental Citizen Participation Process.
Obligations for the developer (QPA):
The developer must meet the following obligations in order for the project to move forward:
• Inform and involve residents through various mechanisms
• Hire an independent firm to assess the environmental effects
• Take citizen comments into account
Project analysis stages and schedule:
1. The Québec Port Authority invites residents to submit their comments on the project at http://consultation-citoyens.portquebec.ca/en beginning next wednesday, August 28, 2019.
2. Residents will have 30 days to submit their comments.
3. They will also be invited to participate in open-house consultation sessions planned by the developer on August 29, 2019, from 12 to 8 p.m. at the Cruise Terminal.
4. Briefs and reports will be compiled and forwarded to the developer.
5. Based on the changes made to the preliminary Evaluation of Environmental Effects (EEE), an enhanced EEE may also be posted on the QPA website.
6. Once a decision has been made regarding the project, the QPA will post it on its website.
About the ECPP
Under the powers conferred on them and their related responsibilities, federal authorities must determine the probability that any “project” carried out on federal land will have significant negative environmental impacts. This obligation applies to the Québec Port Authority (QPA). In addition, the QPA has clearly expressed its desire for transparency and collaboration with the community, including via its sustainable development action plan.
The Environmental Citizen Participation Process (ECPP) takes a risk management approach based on project size and potential impacts on the environment and the community.
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Source:
Marie-Andrée Blanchet
Public Relations and Events
Québec Port Authority
Tel.: 418-648-3640
[email protected]