A dozen citizens attended the information session tonight to set the guidelines for the future of water master plan organized by the Charlevoix Montmorency watershed organization.
Several measures have been sought by citizens, including continuous monitoring of surface waters, inspection of sewage systems, increasing riparian strips along the Du Gouffre River and targeting areas where this is a problem. Citizens suggested maintaining public access to the river and discussing this with farmers.
The master plan serves as a planning tool that provides a portrait of the area. It is accompanied by an action plan. It was also the fifth information meeting for the organization.
“Today we met with stakeholders from the municipal, economic and municipal sectors. We will analyze all collected information in the coming weeks. We will use it to create our action plan and to define our objectives and directions,” specifies Corinne Dupont-Rachiele, environmental project manager.
The organization has also updated mapping of watercourses. In addition, an analysis of the characteristics of the flood plains was carried out.
Over the past 10 years, more than 200 achievements have been made in the area that stretches from Quebec City to Baie-Sainte-Catherine. Several measures have already been implemented or are in the implementation phase.
“We need to do our part, in partnership with communities, to monitor water quality. We also carried out the characterization and identification of the sources of contamination. A navigation impact monitoring has been carried out for Lake Nairne in Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs,” adds Ms. Dupont-Rachiele, environmental project manager.
A preliminary version of the action plan will be presented in autumn 2023. It will be finalized with community stakeholders. The master plan must be submitted by March 1, 2024.
However, the OBV has no coercive power. For example, he cannot impose any measures. It makes recommendations to the 27 communities that are represented in its vast territory.