Regional Plan for Public Land Development Abitibi-Témiscamingue Courtesy translation Production and text: Direction régionale de lÊÉnergie, des Mines et du Territoire public de lÊAbitibi-Témiscamingue Coordination: Yves Drolet, regional director Project leader: Benoit Villeneuve Regional team: Nathalie Bonin Pascal Martel Assistance: Denise Bourbeau Johanne Drolet Design and support: Direction des affaires régionales et du soutien aux opérations Énergie, Mines et Territoire Coordination: Louise Pelletier Special assistance: Édouard Chrétien France Dumais DCOM (revision) Jean-François Larouche Sylvie Verreault Copywriter: Danièle Blain, Passez Go Graphic design: Christiane Leclerc communication Production: Direction des communications Distribution: Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune Direction générale du développement et de la coordination des opérations régionales Direction des affaires régionales et du soutien aux opérations Énergie, Mines et Territoire 5700, 4e Avenue Ouest, bureau E-302 Québec (Québec) G1H 6R1 http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/territoire/planification/planification-regionaux.jsp © Gouvernement du Québec Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune Legal deposit – Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec, 2008 XXX-XXX-XXX (printed version) XXX-XXX-XXX (PDF version) XXX-XXX-XXX (CD version) Distribution code: XXX-XXX Foreword Public land and resources are essential to QuébecÊs development, but they must be developed in a harmonious way that serves the public interest. For this reason, the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune (MRNF) has designed planning tools and management mechanisms to promote the multi-purpose, balanced and sustainable use of public land to support economic growth in the regions. The introduction of regional lodging development plans (known by their French acronym PRDV, for plans régionaux de développement de la villégiature) in 1993 demonstrated the value of planning land use for a specific purpose. It also confirmed the need for broader-based plans to meet an increasingly diverse range of land uses. The MRNF accordingly extended its approach to include all land uses, local and regional concerns and population needs in the planning process. The result was the regional public land development plan (or PRDTP, the French acronym of Plan régional de développement du territoire public). To introduce this new concept, the MRNF organized an information tour throughout Québec to present it to the organizations concerned. It also set up a joint discussion table in each region to gather information on the concerns and needs of its regional and governmental partners, and to involve them in the decision-making process for public land use. Thanks to this inclusive approach, the PRDTP will become a key tool in the harmonious development of public land based on the economic, social and environmental interests of the region concerned. Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 CHAPITRE 1 REGIONAL PLAN FOR PUBLIC LAND DEVELOPMENT (PRDTP)....................... 5 1.1 Definition................................................................................................................................................5 1.2 Roles of the PRDTP.................................................................................................................................5 1.3 Stages in the preparation of a PRDTP....................................................................................................6 1.3.1 Overview of the territory and its development problems.....................................................6 1.3.2 Development stakes and possibilities.....................................................................................7 1.3.3 Development scenario and action plan .................................................................................7 CHAPITRE 2 CONTEXT FOR THE PRODUCTION OF THE REGIONAL PLAN FOR PUBLIC LAND DEVELOPMENT................................................................................. 9 2.1 Recreotourism.........................................................................................................................................9 2.1.1 Definition of recreotourism ...................................................................................................9 2.1.2 Guidelines for the preparation of the PRDTP – recreotourism section .................................9 2.1.3 Basic documents for planning and managing recreotourism..............................................10 2.1.4 Partners involved in the development of the recreotourism sector....................................13 2.1.5 Regional documents used in drafting the PRDTP................................................................13 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................ 17 CHAPITRE 1 AREA COVERED BY THE PLAN AND REGIONAL CONTEXT ......................... 17 1.1 Area covered ........................................................................................................................................17 1.2 Regional context...................................................................................................................................21 1.2.1 Environmental context .........................................................................................................21 1.2.2 Social context .......................................................................................................................21 1.2.3 Economic context .................................................................................................................22 1.2.4 Multiple land use..................................................................................................................24 1.2.5 Consultation of Native communities....................................................................................24 CHAPITRE 2 TERRITORIAL OVERVIEW FOR RECREOTOURISM........................................ 25 2.1 Current situation ..................................................................................................................................25 2.1.1 Tourism in Québec................................................................................................................25 2.1.2 Tourist development strategy for the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region.................................26 2.1.3 Recreotourism in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region...........................................................31 2.2 Development potential ........................................................................................................................48 2.2.1 Lodging development ..........................................................................................................48 2.2.2 Outdoor recreational activities.............................................................................................52 2.2.3 Cultural recreational activities..............................................................................................53 2.3 Summary of the recreotourism overview for the region.....................................................................53 CHAPITRE 3 USE OF PUBLIC LAND FOR RECREOTOURISM: STAKES AND EXPECTED RESULTS FOR THE REGION ....................................................................... 59 Page i 3.1 Regional recreotourism stakes............................................................................................................. 59 3.1.1 Environmental stakes........................................................................................................... 59 3.1.2 Social stakes ......................................................................................................................... 60 3.1.3 Economic stakes................................................................................................................... 60 3.2 Expected results for the region ........................................................................................................... 61 3.2.1 Private vacation sites ........................................................................................................... 61 3.2.2 Rough shelter sites............................................................................................................... 61 3.2.3 Commercial and community lodging sites in a forest environment ................................... 62 3.2.4 Recreational trails ................................................................................................................ 62 3.2.5 Public access points.............................................................................................................. 62 3.2.6 Land suitable for outdoor recreational use......................................................................... 62 3.2.7 Areas suitable for cultural recreational use......................................................................... 63 3.2.8 Integrity of major heritage groups...................................................................................... 63 CHAPITRE 4 SPATIAL DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT ........................................................... 64 4.1 Immediate planning sector ..................................................................................................................... 64 4.1.1