Feasibility Study on Decontamination of Richelieu and Adjacent Buildings by Sorel-Tracy

As part of its 375th birthday celebration, Sorel-Tracy wants to study the feasibility of decontaminating and remediating Richelieu Quay and two adjacent heritage buildings in the downtown area. By remediating this site, Sorel-Tracy will restore access for its citizens to the banks of the Richelieu River, an area with an industrial past. The buildings will be renovated and converted into a multidisciplinary Centre of Contemporary Arts. Phase I environmental site assessments revealed the presence of many contaminants, including petroleum hydrocarbons, metals, phenolic compounds, etc. The planned feasibility study will include a Phase II environmental site assessment, development of a risk management plan and a site redevelopment plan. By remediating this site, Sorel-Tracy will limit the migration of contaminants into the water table and the Richelieu River, which will support aquatic wildlife and public health. Full site decontamination will optimize the environmental threshold for soil quality with a view to building homes and/or allowing safe public access, in compliance with the environmental standards issued by the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change (MDDELCC). Innosphere Sustainable Solutions, a local environmental organization that is helping Sorel-Tracy implement Agenda 21, will also help the town analyze and incorporate the recommendations and write the necessary documentation. The firm further agreed to act as liaison between the firm that will do the feasibility study, FCM and Sorel-Tracy. The public’s support for this project was demonstrated in a major consultation conducted during the festivities. The project is also part of the local Agenda 21, “Together, responsible for our environment”, and the urban plan in which the town expressed the intention to restore public access to the Richelieu Quay shoreline and enhance residents’ quality of life. (Project description from original funding application)