The agreement that outlines the outline of the plan to protect the biodiversity of L’Île-Bizard, the first planned humanized landscape in Quebec, was approved by the urban agglomeration council of the City of Montreal on Thursday.
Posted at 9:46 p.m.
The status of planned humanized landscape, granted to L’Île-Bizard, in the west of Montreal, aims in particular “to ensure the protection of the rich biodiversity of this unique inhabited territory, where the natural environments and human activities, mainly agricultural , present a harmonious balance of interest for conservation”, can we read in the press release of the City. The territory covered is 1,798 hectares and extends to part of the Rivière des Prairies and Lac des Deux-Montagnes.
As part of this agreement with the City of Montreal, the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight against Climate Change of Quebec “undertakes to register the territory in the Register of protected areas of Quebec and to continue the process with the City to obtain a permanent status, for a minimum period of 25 years”, explained Caroline Bourgeois, vice-president of the executive committee of the City of Montreal.
Despite this status of projected humanized landscape, human activities can continue on the territory “provided that they are compatible with the conservation of biodiversity”, specified Mr.me Bourgeois.
Île-Bizard acquired the status of planned humanized landscape on September 30th. “With the plan [de conservation]we meet the first and most important condition for entry into force,” said Catherine Cadotte, press officer for Mayor Valérie Plante.
The mayor of the borough of L’Île-Bizard–Sainte-Geneviève, Stéphane Côté, was delighted with the news. “This agreement ensures long-term protection of this territory,” he said in a statement.