Environmental remediation of an island lighthouse station

Project

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Service

Environmental Site Remediation

Industry

Government

PROJECT LOCATION

Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Quebec

PROJECT DATE

2022

QUANTITY

Removal of 10.96 metric tonnes of contaminated soils

CHALLENGES

Remediating a contaminated site located on Rocher aux Oiseaux (Bird Rock), near the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, presented significant technical and logistical challenges. Historical activities related to the lighthouse station’s operation had led to heavy metal contamination, in particular, the presence and past use of mercury, lead paint, and various types of batteries. The site’s location—isolated on a steep rocky point and accessible only by helicopter—complicated the environmental remediation work and the transport of excavated materials.

BACKGROUND

As part of this project, Sanexen was retained as prime contractor to carry out the environmental remediation of a sector of land with a federal government-owned lighthouse station. Interventions aimed to bring the site into compliance with environmental remediation objectives established following an environmental risk assessment, while limiting excavation to soils with lead concentrations exceeding the limit values of Schedule I of the Regulation Respecting the Burial of Contaminated Soils (RRBCS). This approach optimized the management of the site’s environmental liabilities while reducing impacts on this sensitive island environment.

Solution

Sanexen implemented a targeted site decontamination strategy based on selective excavation of contaminated materials, in accordance with the risk assessment results.

The work included:

Remediation of a sector of the site through manual excavation of soils presenting contamination exceeding the limit values of Schedule I of the RRBCS;
Management of excavated contaminated soils in specialized Quatrex-type bags;
Transport of contaminated soils by helicopter to the Îles-de-la-Madeleine;
Transporting contaminated soils to an authorized site, combining maritime and road transport to the disposal location;
Disposal of contaminated soils at a MELCCFP-authorized site;
Restoring the excavated areas through seeding;
Additional work to secure the lighthouse station, including the temporary replacement of windows and repairing the door.

This integrated approach provided for an environmental management of excavated soils adapted to the constraints of a remote site while meeting regulatory environmental remediation objectives.

HIGHLIGHTS

Execution of an environmental remediation project at an island-based lighthouse station.
Implementation of an environmental risk assessment to target only the soil requiring excavation.
Excavation of lead-contaminated soil presenting concentrations exceeding the limit values of Schedule I of the RRBCS.
Management of contaminated soils, including containment in specialized bags, handling, and transport logistics.
Transport of contaminated soils to an authorized site using a combination of helicopter, boat, and truck.
Removal of 10.96 metric tonnes of contaminated soils distributed among 20 Quatrex bags.
Seeding of excavated areas to promote site restoration.
Execution of work in a remote location while ensuring safe management of contaminated materials and protection of the natural setting.