Pontiacers are invited to contribute to the regional plans for wetlands and water bodies
Pontiacers are invited to contribute to the regional plans for wetlands and water bodies
In order to reconcile the conservation of the many waterways in the Outaouais region, four MRCs, including the Pontiac, as well as the conseil régional de l’environnement et du développement durable de l’Outaouais (CREDDO) have launched a public consultation process. Citizens are invited to participate in this initiative which will influence land use planning for the next decade.
A new era for territorial planning
This public consultation process is carried out as part of the development of Plans Régionaux des Milieux Humides et Hydriques (PRMHH). These constitute a new legal obligation under the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water adopted by the National Assembly in 2017. The PRMHH aim to harmonize the use of the territory and the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water, in particular in order to improve the resilience of communities to climate change. The term “wetlands” refers to ponds, marshes, swamps and peatlands, while water environments include lakes, rivers and streams.
The law stipulates that each MRC must produce its PRMHH by June 2022. In the Outaouais, the MRCs of Papineau, Collines-de-l’Outaouais, La Vallée-de-la-Gatineau and Pontiac have chosen to work together in a concerted approach to develop their respective PRMHH. This joint initiative is coordinated by CREDDO.
A collective project
Anxious to produce PRMHHs that reflect the realities of people on the ground, the CREDDO and the MRCs are launching a vast public consultation. “We’re here to listen. Territorial planning must be the result of collaboration with the communities that inhabit it “emphasizes Madelaine Rouleau, project manager at CREDDO.
Until April 15, citizens are invited to have their say through a survey available at www.creddo.ca/prmhh. The latter will be used to determine the elements that are considered important by the population for the preservation of lakes, rivers and wetlands in the Outaouais. Participatory workshops open to all are also planned for spring 2021. Participants will then be invited to share their vision of the territory in order to highlight the issues and opportunities relating to the wetlands and waterways that affect them.
Actors from the agricultural, forestry, real estate and recreational tourism sectors will also be consulted and called upon to actively participate in the development of the PRMHH. “We want to carefully consider everyone’s needs. This is why strategic committees will be set up to bring together the different business sectors throughout the process “explains Madelaine Rouleau.
About CREDDO
CREDDO is a privileged interlocutor with environmental, political and economic players in the Outaouais region. Its primary mission is to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in a context of consultation.
