The Hertel substation in La Prairie will be expanded. (Photo: Courtesy – BAPE)
About 30 businesses in the agricultural community will be temporarily affected by construction work on the new Hydro-Québec line that will connect La Prairie to New York and two will suffer permanent impacts, according to the estimate of the Union des producteurs agricole (UPA ) of the Montérégie.
Read also: Ten questions about the new Hydro-Québec line in La Prairie
On the 57.7 km underground route in Quebec, a 2.4 km section will pass inland at La Prairie and Saint-Philippe, in particular. This scenario is the one that affects farmers the least, agrees the UPA Montérégie, which nevertheless requested that a consultation be held with the Bureau d’audiences publiques en environnement (BAPE) to dispel any doubts. This took place on December 13.
Stéphane Bisaillon, 2nd vice-president of the organization, took part. In particular, he raised concerns about the impact of stray voltage on nearby farm animals, the line’s heat release into the ground, and the life of the facilities. Since the construction of an underground direct current line is a new concept in the region, it is normal for farmers to wonder, he notes.
“On certain points, we have been secured. On the whole, I appreciated the answers that were given to us”, affirms Mr. Bisaillon, producer of Saint-Jacques-le-Mineur whose impacts will be “minimal” on his land.
In particular on the use of wooden mattresses to prevent the equipment from touching the ground directly and thus reduce surface compaction, he explains. Then, on the encroachment of a complete lane of Montée Saint-Jacques by Hydro-Québec during the construction of the line.
“We made them aware of the size of our modern agricultural machinery, such as combine harvesters, for example, which are wider than a normal vehicle,” he explains.
But among all the issues expressed, agronomic monitoring is the priority, believes the UPA Montérégie.
“We must thoroughly assess the impact of the presence of this underground line on agricultural production, and this, for 7 to 10 years,” said Mr. Bisaillon.
live together
He emphasizes Hydro-Québec’s proactivity in the matter and believes that the Crown corporation has been made aware of the reality of farmers.
“We will have to live together anyway,” he points out. So we might as well work out solutions together.”
As a representative of the interests of the farmers affected, Mr. Bisaillon says he speaks on behalf of the farming community when he says he recognizes the concessions made by Hydro-Québec to accommodate them.
“These are the echoes of the testimonies of farmers to whom I spoke,” he says.
“I’m not saying that at the time of the works, they will not be happy, he continues, but we are working upstream so that it is the least serious possible. If we are proactive, we can live together.”
Suite
The BAPE will submit its report to the Minister of the Environment, Benoît Charrette, on March 13. In the light of the conclusions issued in the document, the latter will decide on the deployment of the project. The report will be made public no later than 15 days after its submission to the ministry, specifies the BAPE.
“Hydro-Quebec has really tried to find the least problematic route for us and we appreciate that.” -Stéphane Bisaillon, UPA Montérégie
