Informez-vous sur ce terrain menacé qu'est la Sandy Beach près du village d'Hudson.
Cette présentation a été fournie par John Jennings Corker de Nature Hudson.
--
Learn more about this threatened piece of land that is Sandy Beach near Hudson Village.
This presentation was provided by John Jennings Corker of Nature Hudson.
2. NATURE HUDSON
• Nature Hudson is a non-profit community
organization dedicated to protecting the land,
water, wildlife and scenic beauty of Hudson for
current and future generations. By fostering a
love for our natural world, Nature Hudson aims to
encourage the community to value and protect its
natural environment.
• Nature Hudson est un organisme communautaire
à but non lucratif voué à la protection de la terre,
de l'eau, de la faune et de la beauté des paysages
d'Hudson pour les générations actuelles et
futures. En favorisant l'amour de notre monde
naturel, Nature Hudson vise à encourager
la communauté à valoriser et à protéger son
environnement naturel.
4. BRIEF HISTORY OF NATURE HUDSON
• THREE NEIGHBOURS FACED WITH LOSING A FOREST TO DEVELOPMENT BEGAN INVESTIGATING
• PHD SCIENTIST, LAWYER, CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGER
• HUDSON HAD ALMOST NO ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION IN ITS BYLAWS
• CONFRONTED COUNCIL TO NO AVAIL
• TOWN-WIDE PETITION DEMANDING RCI (700 SIGNATURES)
• COMPLETED TWO ECOLOGY STUDIES WITH TERRAHUMANA SOLUTIONS
• CONTACTED OTHER CONSERVATION GROUPS (ST LAZARE, PINCOURT, SADB)
• CONTACTED REGIONAL POLITICIANS (MP, MNA)
• RESEARCHED MELCC ARTICLE 22/32 PROCESS
• CONTACTED ALL PRESS OUTLETS RESULTING IN NUMEROUS ARTICLES AND NEWS PIECES
• INCORPORATED 2020 WITH THE HELP OF THE LEGACY FUND FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
• JOINED M.A.R.E.: MOUVEMENT D’ACTION RÉGIONAL EN ENVIRONNEMENT
5. BRÈVE HISTOIRE DE LA NATURE HUDSON
• TROIS VOISINS FACE À LA PERTE DE LA FORÊT AU DÉVELOPPEMENT ONT COMMENCÉ À ENQUÊTER
• CHERCHEUR PHD, AVOCAT, CHEF DE PROJET DE CONSTRUCTION
• RÉALISÉ TRÈS RAPIDEMENT QUE HUDSON N'AVAIT PRESQUE AUCUNE PROTECTION DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT
DANS SES RÈGLEMENTS
• CONSEIL CONFRONTÉ SANS RÉSULTAT
• PÉTITION À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE DEMANDER UN RCI (700 SIGNATURES)
• RÉALISATION DE DEUX ÉTUDES ÉCOLOGIQUES AVEC TERRAHUMANA SOLUTIONS
• CONTACTER D'AUTRES GROUPES DE CONSERVATION (ST LAZARE, PINCOURT, SADB)
• POLITICIENS RÉGIONAUX CONTACTÉS (MP, MNA)
• PROCESSUS RECHERCHÉ PAR L'ARTICLE 22/32 DU MELCC
• A CONTACTÉ TOUS LES POINTS DE PRESSE AYANT RÉSULTAT DE NOMBREUX ARTICLES ET ACTUALITÉS
• INTÉGRÉ AVEC L'AIDE DU FONDS D’HÉRITAGE POUR L'ENVIRONNEMENT
• REJOINT M.A.R.E.: MOUVEMENT D’ACTION RÉGIONAL EN ENVIRONNEMENT
6. Hudson: feu vert à un important
projet immobilier en milieu humide
Publié le 1er juin 2019 à 0h00
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE
« Je suis favorable développement [d’ensembles résidentiels], mais faisons les choses en harmonie avec le
quartier », dit Christian Redahl, qui habite depuis huit ans sur la rue Léger, à Hudson.
PRÉCISION: Dans ce texte paru le 1er juin dernier, nous avons indiqué
que la Ville de Hudson avait approuvé un projet de construction situé
en partie dans un milieu humide. Or, la Ville de Hudson a uniquement
donné son accord de principe à ce projet, lequel est conditionnel, entre
autres, à l’obtention des autorisations du Ministère de l’Environnement
et de la Lutte aux changements climatiques, lesquelles visent
notamment la protection des milieux humides, et au respect en plus
d’une bande de protection humide de 10 mètres. Le texte a également
2019-04-30, 09*10
Floods demonstrate need to protect wetlands: environmentalists | Montreal Gazette
Page 1 of 7
https://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/floods-demonstrate-need-to-protect-wetlands-environmentalists
Floods demonstrate need to
protect wetlands:
environmentalists
Concrete, asphalt and buildings have replaced the natural shores and marshy land that used
to temper the ebb and flow of water through the seasons.
MARIAN SCOTT, MONTREAL GAZETTE (HTTPS:/
/MONTREALGAZETTE.COM/AUTHOR/MARIANSCOTTGAZ)
Updated: April 29, 2019
7. STRATEGY: CHANGE THE NARRATIVE
1. GATHER INFORMATION
KNOW MUNICIPAL LAWS AND POLITICS
USE ACCESS TO INFORMATION
STUDY LEGAL OPTIONS
SEE CITIZEN ACTION GUIDES (EG. M.A.R.E.)
ARCHAEOLOGY
2. OUTREACH
ENGAGE LOCAL + REGIONAL POLITICIANS
CONNECT WITH OTHER CONSERVATION GROUPS
3. ECOLOGY
HIRE ECOLOGISTS TO STUDY AREA
SHARE INFO WITH MELCC + MFFP
4. NARRATIVE
HOLD PUBLIC EVENTS (EG. MARCHES)
ENGAGE MEDIA + USE SOCIAL MEDIA
5. POLITICS
GET INVOLVED
mouvementmare.org
|
mouvement.mare@gmail.com
MOUVEMENT
D’ACTION
RÉGIONAL
EN
ENVIRONNEMENT
GUIDE CITOYEN
PROTECTION DES
MILIEUX NATURELS
8. STRATÉGIE: CHANGER LE DISCOURS
1. COLLECTER DES INFORMATIONS
CONNAÎTRE LES LOIS ET LA POLITIQUE MUNICIPALES
UTILISER L'ACCÈS À L'INFORMATION
ÉTUDIER LES OPTIONS JURIDIQUES
VOIR LES GUIDES D'ACTION CITOYEN (EX. M.A.R.E.)
ARCHÉOLOGIE
2. SENSIBILISATION
ENGAGER LES POLITICIENS LOCAUX + RÉGIONAUX
CONNECTER D'AUTRES GROUPES DE CONSERVATION
3. ECOLOGIE
ENGAGEZ DES ÉCOLOGUES POUR ÉTUDIER L’AIRE
PARTAGEZ L'INFO AVEC MELCC + MFFP
4. NARRATIF
ORGANISER DES ÉVÉNEMENTS PUBLICS (EX. MANIF)
ENGAGEZ LES MÉDIAS + UTILISEZ LES MÉDIAS SOCIAUX
5. POLITIQUE
ÊTRE IMPLIQUÉ
9.
10. SAVE SANDY BEACH/PROTÉGER SANDY BEACH
APPLYING LESSONS LEARNED: BRINGING EVERYONE TOGETHER
APPLIQUER LES LEÇONS APPRISES: RASSEMBLONS TOUT LE MONDE
NATURE HUDSON & SAVE SANDY BEACH WETLAND GROUP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2014 Certificate of Authorization for Pine Beach project at Sandy Beach revoked by the
Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte Contre les Changements Climatiques
Hudson, Quebec, October 6, 2021 - Following an access to information request from Nature Hudson to
the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Lutte Contre les Changements Climatiques (MELCC) in
January 2021 Nature Hudson received a MELCC inspection report dated 21 April 2021 and a letter to
Nicanco Holdings Inc. dated 7 May 2021.
The report stated that work had not yet begun on the property: ‘Les travaux autorisés au certificat
d’autorisation de 2014 n’ont pas commencé;’ and, according to the MELCC’s own wetland maps, the
wetlands are much more significant than they were in 2014: ‘selon l’atlas géomatique du MELCC dans le
thème milieu humide que les milieux humides seraient maintenant beaucoup plus importants qu’en 2014.’
The letter states that the 2014 CA ‘Est annulé de plein droit,’ for the reasons found under Section 46.0.9
of the Loi sur la qualité de l’environnement (RLRQ, chapitre Q-2), that:
Le titulaire d’une autorisation relative à un projet dans des milieux humides et hydriques doit
débuter l’activité concernée dans les deux ans de la délivrance de cette autorisation ou, le cas
échéant, dans tout autre délai prévu à l’autorisation. À défaut, l’autorisation est annulée de
plein droit ….
As a result the developer, as stated in the letter, must deposit a new application for authorization to
intervene in a wetland: ‘Conséquemment, vous devez deposer une nouvelle demande d’autorisation pour
des travaux dans les milieux humides sur les lots visés.’ They further remind Nicanco Holdings Inc. that
no work on the project can begin before such authorisation is given by the MELCC: ‘Nous vous rappelons
que la réalisation ou l’exploitation de votre projet pourra débuter uniquement lorsque vous aurez obtenu
l’autorisation requise par la Loi sur la qualité de l’environnement.’
The Town was notified of this change by Nature Hudson on 5 October 2021. The letter was copied to
9370-2413 Québec Inc. (Groupe Shathony Inc.). To our knowledge, neither Nicanco Holdings Inc. nor
Groupe Shathony Inc. notified the Town of these changes.
JJ Corker, spokesperson for Nature Hudson, said, “Given everything that has come to light the Town
should immediately rescind their current offer to purchase all or part of the land from Nicanco Holdings
Inc., in order to reassess the value of the land.”
On 20 October 2017, the previous council signed an infrastructure agreement with Nicanco Holdings Inc.
for works related to the Pine Beach Project. In the agreement the promoter had 4 years (as per Section
14.2) from the signed agreement date to begin work: this period ends 20 October 2021. Given this and
the fact that the MELCC have now revoked the original CA, the Town has the right and the duty to nullify
this infrastructure agreement.
-30-
Contact info:
Nature Hudson
JJ Corker
jj@naturehudson.org
c: 514-973-1733
Future of Sandy Beach top concern
as Hudson hammers out its
conservation plan
Albert Kramberger • Special to Montreal Gazette
Aug 31, 2016 • Last Updated 4 years ago • 2 minute read
A woman walks dogs along Sandy Beach in Hudson. (Gazette file photo) Photo by John Mahoney /Montreal Gazette
Hudson town officials were dogged by questions regarding the
development of the Sandy Beach area as they presented the draft of a
conservation plan mapping wetlands within the central core of the town.
Eva McCartney was one of several residents who raised theSandy Beach
11. SUMMARY OF FIGHT TO PROTECT SB
• 2014 SANDY BEACH DEVELOPER RECIEVES MELCC ARTICLE 22 APPROVAL TO BACKFILL 1.58 HA
• 2017 MUNICIPAL CONCORDANCE BYLAWS INCREASE ZONING FOR SANDY BEACH AREA
• SPRING 2017 + 2019 AREA FLOODS
• 2020 ECO2URB STUDY COMPLETED: MUCH OF SANDY BEACH LABELLED TIER 1
• 2021 SAVE SANDY BEACH GROUP FORMS: GROUP + NATURE HUDSON DECIDE TO REMAIN SEPARATE BUT
WORK TOGETHER
• PERIOD OF RESEARCH AND MOBILISATION
• CHANGING THE NARRATIVE: ECOLOGY, BUSINESS MODEL, CITIZEN SUPPORT
• SUMMER/FALL 2021 TERRAHUMANA ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT COMPLETED AND SENT TO MELCC/MFFP
• FALL 2021: 2014 ARTICLE 22 FOR THE PROJECT REVOKED BY MELCC
• 2021 MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: THREE MEMBERS OF THE GROUP BECOME COUNCILLORS
• WINTER 2022 MUNICPALITY PLACES FREEZE ON ALL DEVELOPMENT WHILE IT UPDATES BYLAWS
12. SOMMAIRE DE LA LUTTE DE PROTÉGER SB
• 2014 LE DÉVELOPPEUR DE SANDY BEACH REÇOIT L'APPROBATION DE L'ARTICLE 22 DU MELCC POUR REMBLAYER
1,58 HA
• LES RÈGLEMENTS DE CONCORDANCE MUNICIPALE DE 2017 AUGMENTENT LE ZONAGE POUR LA ZONE DU SB
• INONDATIONS PRINTEMPS 2017 + 2019
• 2020 L’ETUDE COMPLETÉ PAR ECO2URB: PLUPART DU SANDY BEACH EST TIER 1
• FORMATION DU REGROUPEMENT POUR LA PROTECTION DE SANDY BEACH 2021 : LE GROUPE + NATURE HUDSON
DÉCIDE DE RESTER SÉPARÉS MAIS TRAVAILLER ENSEMBLE
• PÉRIODE DE RECHERCHE ET DE LA MOBILISATION
• CHANGER LE DISCOURS: ÉCOLOGIE, BUSINESS MODEL, ACCOMPAGNEMENT CITOYEN
• ÉTUDE ÉCOLOGIQUE TERRAHUMANA ÉTÉ/AUTOMNE 2021 COMPLÉTÉ ET ENVOYÉ AU MELCC/MFFP/etc.
• AUTOMNE 2021 : 2014 ARTICLE 22 POUR LE PROJET ABROGÉ PA MELCC
• ÉLECTIONS MUNICIPALES 2021 : TROIS MEMBRES DU GROUPE DEVIENNENT CONSEILLERS
• HIVER 2022 LA MUNICIPALITÉ GELE TOUT DÉVELOPPEMENT PENDANT QU'ELLE MET À JOUR LES RÈGLEMENTS
14. About Us
We are a group of citizens from Hudson and
other cities of Vaudreuil-Soulanges who want to
preserve the integrity of the natural ecosystems
of Sandy Beach including it’s surrounding
wetland/wooden area
Our group is supported by MARE
14
*** All pictures part of this presentation
were taken at Sandy Beach area
(except slides 12 and 13)
15. GET YOUR
MESSAGE OUT
COMMUNIQUER
VOTRE MESSAGE
AU PUBLIQUE
May 17, 2021
PROTECT BOISÉ SANDY BEACH
SandyBeach Wetland Protection Group
MISSION STATEMENT
T Sa B a W a W a P G a
planned for the Boisé Sandy Beach area in Hudson, Québec. We are a community-based group with
a a H a a king on behalf of them to preserve
this sensitive green space. We ask that our elected officials help us in exploring all options to protect
the entirety of Boisé Sandy Beach in a way that benefits all parties.
WHY PROTECT BOISÉ SANDY BEACH – THE IMPACT OF DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENT // CORE CONSERVATION AREA The 2020 Eco2Urb report clearly states that Boisé
Sandy Beach is a Tier 1 priority, core conservation area. Biodiversity will be lost as it contains a rare
combination of four types of wetland habitat; some species rely heavily on the portion slated for
development. As well, hydrology will be altered, affecting the ability of the Viviry River delta to buffer
against flooding, erosion and municipal runoff // LACK OF SUSCEPTIBILITY ASSESSMENTS 2020
Eco2U b S b D A a a H B a
a Q b B A R C a Wetlands and Bodies of Water (2017)
was assumed // DESTRUCTION OF PROTECTED WETLAND Loss of habitat and biodiversity, disruption
to migration, wetland back-filling, changed Viviry watershed, loss of flood buffering, increased
municipal runoff, increased human impact, loss of nearby canopy and pollution will mean failure to
properly protect the sensitive wetlands within metres of the proposed development // POLLUTION
Development will import solid, liquid and aerosol pollutants into a highly sensitive area. Debris from
construction, CO2 emissions, oil/gas spills, noise, garbage and VOCs are just some of the issues that will
a a a // HISTORY OF FLOODING Boisé Sandy Beach had major flooding in the
recent past (2017 and 2019). Climate change is expected to increase these events in severity and
frequency. Certificate of Authorization permit (article 22 of the Environmental Quality Act) for
development was given in 2014 with little regard for how the natural floodplain plays a role in
mitigating these disasters // The CMM has yet to finalize its updated flood map.
PEOPLE AND CULTURE // ANCIENT ARTIFACTS Indigenous artifacts have been discovered (1000-
2000BC) which prove Boisé Sandy Beach is of critical archeological importance to Aboriginal peoples
and to the history of the region // ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACT 214 residences with little personal
outdoor space will have an enormous impact on the protected and highly sensitive wetlands on their
doorsteps. 214 units equals 600 people. Their only greenspace would be the protected wetlands and
beach. 214 units equals more than 120 dogs and cats. Amphibian and bird populations will be
devastated by these pets. 214 units equals 280 cars minimum. These will result in a variety of pollution,
noise, roadkill, and increased traffic. The a a É S -Thomas will cause
severe gridlock and pose a threat to safety in a school zone from both construction and residential
vehicles. Permits were granted without traffic studies // LOSS OF SANCTUARY development will
change the character of Boisé Sandy Beach. While the trail and beach will still be available to citizens,
much of the surrounding forest will give way to development, visually and audibly destroying the
tranquility visitors now enjoy and rely on for mental and physical health.
QUICK FACTS
> Boisé Sandy Beach
is identified as a Tier
1 priority, core
conservation area
(Eco2Urb, 2020).
> The area has a rare
combination of 4
types of wetlands
which contain a high
level of biodiversity
and are crucial as a
buffer to flooding and
water filtration.
> Boisé Sandy Beach
needs to retain its
tree canopy. The
Emerald Ash Borer
threatens to destroy
almost 35% (basal
a a H
trees.
> Development would
mean 214 residences
= 600 people, 280
cars, + 120 dogs and
cats, 4500 tonnes of
garbage/year, etc.
(Statcan, 2020) in a
core conservation
area.
> Development is
unlikely to be
profitable long-term
due to infrastructure
costs (increased
regional and
municipal services,
expansion of schools
and recreation, road
wear, etc.).
>
18. 18
Pine Beach Project in Sandy Beach area: 214+ residences
Development in 6 phases:
Phase I - III
• 94 townhouses
• Some buildings 20
m from beach
Phase IV - VI:
• 6 x 3-story high
multiplexes
• 120 units total
Town density increase:
• +10%
19. OUR STUDY SHOWED WETLAND IS
MUCH LARGER THAN INDICATED ON THE
DEVELOPER’S PROJECT PLANS.
NOTRE ÉTUDE A MONTRÉ QUE LES MILIEUX
HUMIDES EST BEAUCOUP PLUS GRAND
QUE CELUI INDIQUÉE PAR LES PLANS
PROJET DU PROMOTEUR.
20. 20
Myth: Area is not Ecologically Valuable
Illustrative
In 2020 Nature Hudson
commissioned TerraHumana
Solutions to perform an ecological
assessment and biodiversity study:
26 site surveys performed by 2 lead
biologists, 8 specialists, and 7
volunteers: found 29 at-risk species
and one species so rare it does not
appear on inventory lists for the
region.
Late 2021, NH received the
developer’s study though access to
information: 8 pages, 3 visits, no
species at risk were noted.
21. TERRAHUMANA SOLUTIONS
RAPPORT
Caractérisation écologique d’une zone d’intérêt à
Hudson, Québec
Novembre 2021
Informations:
Isabelle-Anne Bisson, Ph.D.
Présidente, TerraHumana Solutions
ibisson@terrahumanasolutions.com
(514) 654-7835
Terrahumanasolutions.com
Preparé pour: Nature Hudson
Hudson, Québec
& le Fonds d’héritage pour l’environnement
Par: Marian MacNair et Isabelle-Anne Bisson
CARACTÉRISATION ÉCOLOGIQUE D’UNE ZONE D’INTÉRÊT À HUDSON, NOVEMBRE 2021| TerraHumana Solutions
2
Équipe de projet
Marian MacNair, M.Sc., Assistant de recherche, TerraHumana Solutions
Isabelle-Anne Bisson, Ph.D., Présidente, TerraHumana Solutions
Scientifiques et experts bénévoles
Frieda Beauregard (Botanique)
David Fletcher (Étangs vernaux)
Alison Hackney (Avifaune)
Antonia Cattaneo (Étangs vernaux)
Patrick Galois (Herpétofaune)
Christiane Hudon (Étangs vernaux)
Maxim Larrivée (Entomologie)
Ginette Methot (Étangs vernaux)
Don McCracken (Mammifières, avifaune)
Étudiants bénévoles
Dylan Gwilliam
Tiphaine Devanneaux
Ekra Karim
Nikita Bhat
Maeve Bohle
Katerina Kieran
Remerciements
Nous tenons à remercier Nature Hudson pour leur temps et pour avoir fourni toutes les
informations nécessaires sur la zone d'étude, ce qui a rendu ce travail possible. Merci à
tous les bénévoles énumérés dans la section Équipe de projet pour leur temps et leur
précieuse contribution scientifique. Cette étude a été financée en partie par une
subvention de recherche de Protection des oiseaux du Québec et par le le Fonds
d’héritage pour l’environnement.
22.
23. 23
Myth: Development is Backed by Citizens
• Referendum held in October 2001 under Shaar administration
- 72% voted against a purchase of Sandy Beach by Town
• 20 year-old referendum NOT VALID justification for today’s council
decisions
- Est. 20 – 40% change of demographic makeup of Hudson population since 2001 1
- Strong indication of change in public sentiment driven by climate change urgency &
desire to protect remaining green spaces
- Numerous posts by Hudson residents on Hudson Vicinity & Save Sandy Beach Group
FB pages
- St Lazare councilor: “We get clear indication from our population that they want us
to protect our high value land and water resources so it's important to our
residents.”
(1) 2016 Census: 18% from former children & unborns eligible to vote today; assuming 10% new arrivals (0.5%/year)
26. Myth: Development Will Bring the Town Income
• Previous Councils and Administrations stated Hudson needs this development to
increase tax revenue
- Our study showed a yearly loss of $269,234.
- Based partly on the work of former Westmount Mayor Peter Trent.
- The three authors of the study: retired CPA, political strategist, and Hudson’s former head of Public Works.
27. ENVIRONMENTAL
DEBATE ORGANIZED
BY NATURE HUDSON
AND A GET-TOGETHER
AT JACK LAYTON PARK
TO DICSUSS THE
ELECTION ISSUES.
MOST CANDIDATES IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION
WERE PRESENT: ALL FOUR WINNING CANDIDATES
WERE PRESENT AT THIS TALK.
28. Photos of artifacts found by Anthony
Gillis in the Sandy Beach area, Hudson.
Photos & descriptions by Adrian Burke,
archaeologist.
Small biface (knife) or arrowhead made
of Mistassini quartzite, probably Late
Archaic, 4000-3000 years before
present.
ARCHEOLOGY
29. LOOKING AHEAD: VIEW OF THE LAKE OF
TWO MOUNTAINS FROM THE BEACH
MERCI/THANK YOU
