PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Montreal, August 6, 2020 – The Fondation Rivières supports the work of the Laval Regional Environmental Council (CRE) and Laval and national organizations in their objective of protect the area of the Mille-Îles River targeted by the real estate developer on Gagnon Island in the Sainte-Rose sector.
There were numerous reactions in response to the city of Laval, which made an about-face by making the decision to maintain the “urban” designation of Île Gagnon:
- The Laval Regional Environmental Council (CRE), Laval and national organizations are asking the City of Laval to respect the guidelines of the revised development plan (SADR) adopted in August 2017 in response to citizens' desire to preserve the last natural environments of Laval
- Eco-Nature asks the city to set up a land reserve on the land targeted by the Île Gagnon project and the development on the shore of Place Sainte-Rose.
- The History and Genealogy Society of Île Jésus (SHGIJ) expresses serious concerns about the impact that the Place Sainte-Rose project would have on the local heritage of the village.
- The Water Interpretation Center (CIEAU) highlights the great richness and fragility of the Mille-Îles River and mentions the numerous environmental consequences on the environment, should the projects come to fruition.
For Alain Saladzius, president of Fondation Rivières: “This development project threatens the natural character and water quality of the Mille-Îles River. It's the only place in Laval where you can rent a boat and sail in a natural environment. There are so few publicly accessible natural wetland and aquatic areas left in the greater metropolitan area. We have a duty to protect them and not cede them to developers who can always set up elsewhere. We have difficulty understanding, in the current context of environmental upheaval, how promoters can still believe today that a similar project is compatible with nature conservation.”
He also expresses his concern about the risks of overflows that the project could generate. “ The pumping stations of Sainte-Rose Nord and Sainte-Rose Sud overflow during rains, including more than 20 times a year. Additional work will therefore have to be carried out so that all the water goes to the treatment system and is treated there at all times. »
For these reasons, the Fondation Rivières will be present, on Saturday August 8, at the demonstration Leave our island alone organized by citizens to demand the protection of Gagnon Island in Laval. The entire population and nature lovers are invited to participate in the event aboard a kayak, canoe or paddle board or to come greet boaters from the bike path that borders the river.
When: Saturday August 8 at 10 a.m.
Where: meeting point on the water behind Sainte-Rose church
- 30 -
For informations :
Geneviève Tardy
Communications Manager
514 424-3556
communications@fondationrivieres.org
