Since 2021, Lake La Sapinière has virtually disappeared from the Val-David landscape and there is little hope of finding water in the lake in 2022. However, this natural environment must be 100% protected, according to the new Regional Plan for Wetlands and Bodies of Water (PRMHH) of the MRC des Laurentides.
Posted at 11:00 a.m.
Like thousands of lakes in Quebec, Lac la Sapinière depends entirely on the proper management of its dam. Unfortunately, since 2021, the dam has not been reinstalled and the lake has dried up, due to a conflict between the municipality of Val-David and the owner of La Sapinière and the dam.1.
The dispute in question concerns an expropriation for the construction of a new school. The case was heard by the Administrative Tribunal last March.
The Association of Residents of Lac la Sapinière has taken several steps with the municipality to have it acquire the dam, including the petition “Save Lac la Sapinière!” which had, in June 2021, obtained the support of 1623 citizens.
But these steps have not had the expected success, and without the dam, the lake’s environment continues to deteriorate.
Unfortunately, it seems, there will be no water in the lake this summer. For the mayor, it is obvious that no action will be taken before the court’s decision.
Wetlands and waterways to be protected
Since 2017, with the Act respecting the conservation of wetlands and bodies of water, the Ministry of the Environment wants to achieve the objective of no net loss of these environments. Indeed, we increasingly recognize their essential role in maintaining biodiversity and protecting the territory.
One of the initiatives related to this law is the development of regional plans for wetlands and bodies of water that the RCMs must submit by June 2022. These new measures will make it possible to curb the loss of wetlands and even create new ones.
The first step of the PRMHH is to list the wetlands and bodies of water. The Sapinière sector is largely made up of a lake, peat bogs and swamps. But, without the dam, we lost the lake, and several wetlands were greatly disturbed. The lake now offers a strange and disturbing sight, especially when one has admired it in all its splendor during all these years.
From the little bridge above the dam, all you can see is a stream in the middle of a wasteland, only abandoned docks and deer grazing on the lake.
However, there are possible solutions:
– the regional plan of the MRC des Laurentides will allow for better consultation between the various stakeholders. It will also help the municipality of Val-David to act in accordance with the laws concerning the protection of wetlands and bodies of water;
– the consultation table on the management of anthropogenic dams, organized by Abrinord, a watershed organization for the Rivière du Nord, is currently underway. All water stakeholders are invited;
– the financial assistance program for bringing municipal dams up to standard was set up by the Québec government. To benefit from it, however, the municipality must acquire the dam. This is the only solution to ensure the sustainability of the lake and the protection of its environment.
The time has come to move on to another stage and to organize the return of the lake now. We hope to find, as soon as possible, the magnificent Lac la Sapinière, in the heart of one of the most beautiful villages in the Laurentians.