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Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement Report 236 Proposed biodiversity reserves for the massif of lakes Belmont and Magpie, the knolls of Lac aux Sauterelles, the foothills of Lac Guernesé, and the Collines de Brador TRANSLATION Public Hearing Report February 2007 The concept of the environment The commissions of the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement examine the projects submitted to them from the perspective of sustainable development, applying the concept of the environment defined by the higher courts, a concept that encompasses biophysical, social, economic and cultural aspects. Acknowledgements The Commission thanks the individuals and organizations that contributed to its work, and the staff at the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement that provided logistical support for the production of this report. Publication and Distribution Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement: Édifice Lomer-Gouin Phone: 418 643-7447 575, rue Saint-Amable, bureau 2.10 (Toll-free): 1 800 463-4732 Québec (Québec) G1R 6A6 Website: www.bape.gouv.qc.ca E-mail: [email protected] Documentation concerning the work of the Commission may be obtained from the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement. This document is a translation. In the event of a discrepancy, the French version prevails. Legal Deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2007 ISBN 978-2-550-49304-4 (Printed version) Édition originale : 978-2-550-49010-4 ISBN 978-2-550-49305-1 (PDF) Édition originale : 978-2-550-49011-1 Québec, February 14, 2007 Mr. Claude Béchard Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Édifice Marie-Guyart, 30e étage 675, boulevard René-Lévesque Est Québec (Québec) G1R 5V7 Minister, It is with great pleasure that I submit the report on the investigation and public hearing held by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement on four proposals to create biodiversity reserves in the Basse-Côte-Nord Plateau natural province, for the massif of lakes Belmont and Magpie, the knolls of Lac aux Sauterelles, the foothills of Lac Guernesé, and the Collines de Brador. The Commission was chaired by Pierre Béland, and began work on September 14, 2006. Upon completing its task, it concludes that permanent protection status should be granted to the proposed biodiversity reserve for the knolls of Lac aux Sauterelles. With regard to the other three proposals, the Commission highlights several elements that must be considered before further action is taken. The Commission believes that one of the proposed boundaries for the biodiversity reserve for the massif of lakes Belmont and Magpie should be reconsidered to create a more natural boundary line. In addition, it proposes that appropriate protection status be granted to the downstream stretch of Rivière Magpie between the southern boundary of the proposed reserve and the third waterfall. For the proposed biodiversity reserves for the Collines de Brador and the foothills of Lac Guernesé, the Commission considers that two demands from the local communities should be dealt with before permanent protection status is granted. The first concerns the presence of cottages in a restricted area within one of the proposed reserves. The second concerns the disclosure and explanation of the motives that led the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, a full partner in the protected areas program, to agree to prohibit the development of natural resources within the areas considered. …2 Édifice Lomer-Gouin 575, rue Saint-Amable, bureau 2.10 Québec (Québec) G1R 6A6 Phone: 418 643-7447 (toll-free): 1 800 463-4732 Fax: 418 643-9474 [email protected] www.bape.gouv.qc.ca 2 The Commission wishes to highlight the participation in the public hearing of the Innu communities of Ekuanitshit and Pakua Shipu, which have, for many generations, used the land set aside for the proposed reserves. They demonstrated their knowledge of the area and interest in protecting natural ecosystems, and stated their demands regarding the current public consultation process and the procedure for selecting land to be set aside, which they consider inappropriate in the context of their outstanding land claims. The Commission, while recognizing the soundness of setting land aside for the protection of biodiversity in Québec and supporting the action plan of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, notes that opposition to the projects under examination during the public hearing stemmed in part from the fact that there was no prior consultation concerning the choice of the land to be granted protection status. In addition, it would be advisable that the public be informed shortly of the proposed mechanisms for the management and funding of the permanent biodiversity reserves. Yours sincerely, William J. Cosgrove President Québec, February 12, 2007 Mr. William J. Cosgrove President Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement Édifice Lomer-Gouin 575, rue Saint-Amable, bureau 2.10 Québec (Québec) G1R 6A6 Dear Sir, It is my pleasure to submit the report on the investigation and public hearing carried out by the Commission responsible for the public consultation on four projects to create biodiversity reserves in the Basse-Côte-Nord Plateau natural province, namely the massif of lakes Belmont and Magpie, the knolls of Lac aux Sauterelles, the foothills of Lac Guernesé, and the Collines de Brador. The Commission, after completing its analysis, concludes that permanent protection status could be granted to the proposed biodiversity reserve of the knolls of Lac aux Sauterelles. With regard to the other three projects, the Commission highlights several elements that should be considered before proceeding further, and which relate to proposed boundaries and other concerns raised by participants. The Commission considers appropriate to modify the boundary for one sector on the west side of the biodiversity reserve of the massif of lakes Belmont and Magpie so as to be more consistent with the natural ecosystem and landscape criteria. Representations were also made concerning the stretch of Rivière Magpie between the southern boundary of the proposed biodiversity reserve and the third waterfall, in accordance with the views expressed by participants at a previous BAPE public hearing concerning hydroelectric development on the same river. As a result, the Commission proposes that this stretch of river be granted protection status, so as to preserve its wilderness and internationally- recognized potential for recreation and tourism. …2 Édifice Lomer-Gouin 575, rue Saint-Amable, bureau 2.10 Québec (Québec) G1R 6A6 Phone: 418 643-7447 (toll-free): 1 800 463-4732 Fax: 418 643-9474 [email protected] www.bape.gouv.qc.ca 2 The proposed biodiversity reserves for the Collines de Brador and the foothills of Lac Guernesé were challenged by participants living in the vicinity. This opposition was partly due to the fact that the land, among the first to be set aside in Québec, was selected and delimited without consulting the communities concerned. The Commission considers that before protection status is granted, two demands from the local communities should be dealt with. The first concerns the presence of cottages in a restricted area within one of the reserves; the need to protect this sector should be re-assessed. The second concerns disclosure and explanation of the motives that led the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, a full partner in the protected areas program, to agree to prohibit the exploitation of natural resources within the areas considered. The Commission wishes to stress the participation in the public hearing of the Innu communities of Ekuanitshit and Pakua Shipu, which have been using for many generations the land set aside for the proposed reserves. They demonstrated their knowledge of the area and interest in the protection of natural ecosystems, and stated their demands for a consultation and land selection process which they would consider appropriate in the context of their land claims with the federal and provincial governments. The Commission, while recognizing the soundness of the decision made to set land aside for the protection of biodiversity in Québec and supporting the action plan of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs, considers that it would be advisable for the government to reaffirm its commitment to the program, and that the public be shortly informed of the proposed mechanisms for the management and funding of the permanent biodiversity reserves. I would like to thank the entire Commission team, whose sustained work led to a successful conclusion a consultation process in a remote but magnificent area that is home to varied communities that are dispersed and isolated from each other through geography. Yours sincerely, Pierre Béland Commission Chair Table of contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 1 Biodiversity protection ..................................................................................... 7 A strategy based on a legislative framework........................................................................ 7 Biodiversity reserves............................................................................................................ 8 Selection of land under protection..................................................................................