Local organization proposes the protection 2431 km2 in the Outaouais to meet COP15 commitment 

Sophie Demers   

A call for projects was announced in early June by the Environment Ministry (MELCCFP) for conservation projects for public forests and waterways.   

The Outaouais chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) coordinated the submission of the projects for the Outaouais, proposing a total of 2431 square kilometers of protected area. Of theses areas 2111 km2 is located in the MRC Pontiac, 317 km2 is in MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, 3 km2 in MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais and 92 in the MRC Papineau. 

These projects would bring the protected natural areas in Outaouais from 10.02% and 17.15%. 

The initiative was in line with Quebec’s commitments at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) to protect 30% of land and waterways by 2030. As of March, almost 17% of Quebec's territory was protected. The government will need to double the size of the current protected areas to meet its target.

• Noire and Coulonge Rivers corridor: This 403 km2 area is home to Bryson Lake Lodge and the Forant Lake Outfitter. Lodge owners Laurel and Denis LeBrun said they support the proposition. The proposed 403 km2 will expand on the 852 km2 already designated as a conservation area last year.
• Lac-Brûlé: This area covers 837 km2, the majority of which is in the MRC Pontiac. A small portion, 48 km2, is located in MRC Vallée-de-l'Or and 205 km2 are in MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau. A 2020 field study by biologists identified 55 area species in the area that are considered at risk.
• Lac-Dumont-Ellen-Murray : This 172 km2 area is home to a forest that is 80 years old while other parts are over 100 years old. 
• Lac-Saint-Patrice and Poussière River: This 490 km2 area contains parts of two controlled harvesting zones: ZEC Saint-Patrice and ZEC Rapides-des-Joachims.   
• Coulonge-River-East: CPAWS proposed this 510 km2 area for conservation due to the presence of animal and plant species of interest, important ecosystems, and aquatic environments.
• Presqu’île du Lac à l’Indienne: This 823 km2 area was proposed due to the presence of important ecosystems, environments of interest and its significance for outdoor activities.
• Alvars and riverbanks of Bristol and Clarendon: CPAWS proposed this 16 km2 area because of the presence of important ecosystems, environments of interest, and its popularity for outdoor activities.   
• Basses collines du lac au Brochet: This 49 km2 area is located 48 km Northwest of Buckingham. It encompasses Lac du Brochet, Lac Sam, and Lac à la Truite, as well as other small lakes. 

The proposals will be analyzed by MELCCFP. In the next year, a list of retained areas will be announced. The change to conservation status should be finalized for the selected areas in two years.