Organizations and citizens blame the Ministry of the Environment for granting a backfilling permit in a wooded area, without regard to the known risks of flooding.
In Quebec City, in the Loretteville sector, in July the Department authorized the backfilling of a wetland to allow development there. This is located in the Châtels woods, which several citizens are trying to protect. Recently, a rally in support of the protection of the wooded area was held.
Harmful
However, according to three organizations, this gesture is harmful to the environment. “The case of the Boisé des Châtels in Quebec, where the MELCC authorized this summer backfilling work for the construction of a new industrial development, is the most recent example illustrating this problematic management”, of the opinion the Regional Council on the Environment, the Capital Watershed Organization and Nature Québec. “This industrial project, which involves the sealing of a large part of the wetlands present in the wooded area, is a direct threat to the proper management of stormwater from the Lorette River and the Sainte-Barbe stream, which are both conducive overflows.”
The vulnerability of the Lorette River has been known for a long time, note the organizations. As early as 1973, a report advised that the urbanization of its watershed might cause risks of flooding and soil erosion.
According to the organizations, the Department’s actions are detrimental to the city’s efforts to better develop its territory.
alarm call
For Pierre Turgeon and Catherine Rouleau, two citizens of the sector, this way of doing things from the ministry is worrying. They said they were nevertheless reassured by a recent discussion with their municipal councillor, Marie-Josée Asselin, who informed them that the work was not imminent, since for the moment, no permit application has been submitted to the city. But they want to avoid waking up to the surprise of a construction site that has begun. “That’s our concern, that’s why we’re sounding the alarm on that.”
The administration of Bruno Marchand has set up a committee to establish a portrait of the state of the wooded areas of the city of Quebec, with the objective of protecting them from the pressures of development. The results should be known in the coming months.
At the time of this writing, the Ministry of the Environment had not responded to our questions.
