Lac Saint-Pierre
Map Location
Coring Operation LSP Fall 06
Diving in the Nicolet River
2006
Recovering projectiles
at Lac St-Pierre 2007
Nicolet River
Geophysical Survey
Pont Laviolette Excavation
2007
Pont Laviolette Level 2
instrument assisted survey
Shoreline sweep 2007
Surface sampling 2006
Top of ice sediment
sampling
Water quality sampling
Winter sediment coring 2006
HISTORY
The Department of National Defence carried out proof and engineering tests at the Munitions Experimental Test Centre (METC) - Nicolet from 1952 through 1999. Ordnance was and is tested in accordance with NATO standards to safeguard soldiers and to ensure the operational capability of the Canadian Forces. Nicolet was used to test ammunition ranging in caliber from 20mm to 155mm. The firing range covers an area of about 160 square kilometers and includes much of the southern portion of Lac Saint-Pierre, south of the St. Lawrence commercial shipping channel.
More than 300,000 projectiles were fired into the lake of which approximately 10,000 are thought to be unexploded explosive ordnance (UXO).
The site was originally selected because of its proximity to several munitions factories. The location remains strategic today, as it is still close to manufacturing facilities, minimizing the costs and hazards associated with the transportation of live ammunition. Firing into Lac Saint-Pierre has not taken place since January 2000. Current DND tests at the facility now involve firing into a concrete stop-butt filled with earth from which ammunition can later be recovered.
PRESENT SITUATION
Prior to developing a plan for clearance of munitions from the lake, DND needs to determine if there could be any adverse environmental effects as a result of leaching from the ordnance or the disruption caused by the removal of ordnance from the lakebed. The test area is now a UN-designated Biosphere. This unique wetland is protected under the UN Ramsar Convention and it adjoins the Nicolet Bird Sanctuary. DND and Environment Canada have two priorities regarding the Nicolet site: removing munitions from Lac Saint-Pierre to ensure the health and safety of local residents; and making sure that any such UXO clearance activities do not result in any adverse environmental impacts.
The presence of UXO in Lac Saint-Pierre is negatively impacting on local economic development and recreational activity. DND maintains a year round ‘caution zone’ in the impact area to advise boaters and other users of the lake of the potential dangers of underwater UXO. This zone is marked with buoys in the summer and is supported by a community awareness campaign.
Shoreline sweeps (picking up munitions-related items) have long been an annual activity, the aim being to remove as many projectiles and as much munitions debris as possible from those areas where the public could come into contact with those materials.
DND has been working with local officials and various stakeholders for several years in an effort to develop a plan for UXO clearance. DND’s annual public awareness campaign in the spring reminds local residents of the dangers from UXO in certain restricted areas, and there is an ongoing dialogue, which has been positive and effective in terms of managing the issue while DND develops the project to address the UXO issue.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
For the past two years, extensive environmental sampling and analytical testing has been carried out to examine sediment quality and toxicity. This testing evaluates the effect of sediment-borne contaminants on the flora and fauna of Lac Saint-Pierre.
The environmental assessment (EA) for the UXO risk mitigation project has been submitted to both the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and the Province of Quebec (Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs). The EA process will almost certainly include a public consultation process. Review of project materials by regulators and subject matter experts will undoubtedly result in additional environmental characterization of the site.
DND has conducted several electromagnetic surveys in Lac Saint-Pierre and has refined its techniques and protocols as a result. The department is currently researching the available clearance techniques and technologies, and expects to begin the project implementation phase within two years.
