SAINTE-ANNE-DES-MONTS, QC, April 30,
2024 /CNW/ - In order to protect the Charlevoix
boreal caribou and Gaspésie mountain caribou populations, the
Gouvernement du Québec is announcing an investment of 59.5 million dollars that will allow for
implementing two regional projects and conservation measures for
the species and its habitat. It is also launching consultations on
the proposed projects for these two regions, as well as a
separation consultation with the concerned Indigenous
communities.
This was announced today by the Minister of the Environment, the
Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister
Responsible for the Laurentides Region, Benoit Charette, in collaboration with the
Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible
for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine
Regions, Maïté Blanchette Vézina.
The recommended approach aims to increase predictability for the
local communities, in particular the Indigenous communities who
have a special relationship with the caribou and its habitat, while
ensuring regional economic growth that is in harmony with
protecting the species. It takes into account the at-risk state of
the caribou and the challenges of natural resources development, as
well as the specific issues related to recreational tourism. The
implementation of specific projects for the Charlevoix and Gaspésie
populations will also allow to conceive a balanced approach that is
adapted to the targeted regions.
The documentation and terms for participating in the
consultations are available at
https://consultation.quebec.ca/?locale=en. All interested
individuals are invited to submit comments between April 30 and July 30, 2024, which will
then be analyzed. The consultations focus on the location, surface
area and boundaries of the targeted territories, as well as the
proposed regulatory changes for their designation as wildlife
habitats of a threatened or vulnerable species and to control
activities in these habitats.
Quotes:
"Over the last few years, the government has carried out several
consultations and held an independent commission to contribute to
the preservation of the caribou while maintaining the vitality of
the regions and communities. I wish to remind you that during this
period, our government ensures we implemented different measurement
tools for monitoring and protecting the species and its habitat.
The proposals made today support our intention to legally protect
the caribou habitat in keeping with the regional realities. That is
why we are proposing an approach adapted to each of the regions
that will support the participation of local stakeholders and First
Nations."
Benoit Charette, Minister of
the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and
Parks and Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region
"The government's intention has always been clear: to increase
the protection of the Gaspésie boreal and mountain caribou, while
ensuring the preservation of the economic vitality of our forestry
communities. When we talk about forestry communities, we
think about all of the workers and all of the businesses who live
off the forest. That is what we are doing today. The upcoming
consultations will allow us to discover what people have to say and
to adapt the proposed plan accordingly. That is what we are aiming
for, a balance between protecting biodiversity and the economic
development of the concerned regions."
Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and
Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and the
Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions
Quick facts:
- In addition, the Gouvernement du Québec is announcing its
intention to expand the Caribou-Forestiers-de-Manouane-Manicouagan
Biodiversity Reserve (approximately 4,826 km2). It also
is announcing its intention to apply immediate measures to this
territory and that of the Vallières-de-Saint-Réal protected area
project (approximately 96 km2) to prevent activities
likely to degrade the natural environments in these areas. These
measures will help preserve the habitat characteristics favourable
to caribou, until the legal designation of these protected areas
comes into effect. The regional projects announced today, protected
areas and wildlife habitats, cover almost 15,000
km2.
- Three ecotypes of caribou live in Québec: boreal caribou,
migratory caribou and mountain caribou. Caribou is considered to be
an umbrella species, meaning the conservation of its habitat
benefits a wide range of other species. It is a barometer of the
health of the boreal forest.
- The regional projects that are being submitted for consultation
specifically target the Charlevoix boreal caribou population and
the Gaspésie mountain caribou population. Under the Act
respecting threatened or vulnerable species, the boreal caribou
was designated as a vulnerable species in 2005, and the Gaspésie
mountain caribou was designated as a threatened species in
2009.
- For the two targeted territories in the regional projects, the
legal designation of wildlife habitats of a threatened or
vulnerable species is proposed, under the Act respecting the
conservation and development of wildlife. The proposed
regulatory and legal changes to control activities in these
habitats are also presented as part of the consultations announced
today.
- Among the proposed measures is the allocation of a budget of
7 million dollars for the 2024-2025
fiscal year to continue caribou habitat restoration activities to
encourage the return of forest stands dominated by conifers. The
government wishes to continue actions to protect forest massifs in
the caribou habitat as a result of forest development plans. It
also intends to continue to apply interim measures in the caribou
habitat in targeted territories (Gaspésie and Charlevoix) and the
moratorium on logging in Val-d'Or.
Associated links:
- To view the documentation related to this announcement or to
participate in the consultation:
https://consultation.quebec.ca/processes/projets-pilotes-caribous-forestiers-montagnards.
(French only)
- To learn more about protected areas in Québec.
Sources:
Amélie
Moffet
Press
Officer
Office of the Minister
of the Environment,
the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife
and Parks and Minister Responsible for
the Laurentides Region
Tel.: 581
994-0205
Gabrielle
Côté
Press Officer
and Communications Lead
Office of the Minister
of Natural Resources
and Forests and Minister Responsible
for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and the
Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions
Tel.: 438 368-1307
|
Information:
Media
relations
Ministère de
l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de
la Faune et des Parcs
relations.medias@environnement.gouv.qc.ca
Tel.: 418
521-3991
|
SOURCE Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les
changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs