OUR ENVIRONMENT

Protecting our environment is a top priority for the Association.

An agent of the CRE takes readings of the temperature, pH, oxygenation and conductivity of the lake water with the aid of a multisensor.
As part of the Reseau de Surveillance Voluntaire des Lacs (RSVL) program, water clarity is measured with a secchi disk 10 times from June to October each year.
A group of volunteers prepare to conduct an inventory of aquatic plants on the lookout for any invasive species.

Since its inception, the Association  has systematically pursued ecological support for our lake through collaboration with the municipalities, the Conseil régional de l’environnement des Laurentides (CRE Laurentides), the Quebec environment ministry (MDDEP), and private expert consultants.

Key principles:

  • Environmental protection is a priority of the Association.
  • Apply the principle of precaution. Prevent damage before it becomes irreversible. Reduce phosphate emissions to a minimum throughout the Lac des Becs-scie watershed. Act immediately.
  • Establish an “environmental partnership” between the municipalities and the Association du Lac des Becs-Scie.
  • Lobby the municipalities to adopt, apply and respect all regulatory measures necessary to ensure the protection of the environment , specifically regarding septic systems, use of pesticides and fertilizers, and the protection of the shoreline zone.
  • Provide citizens with clear, credible and timely(annually) information on the state of health of Lac des Becs-scie, the main environmental issues and the various actions being taken.
  • The citizens have the responsibility to maintain the integrity of their property with respect to all environmental constraints and to respect all regulations concerning shoreline protection.
  • Each citizen must adopt a responsible behavior toward the environmental issues which threaten the collective good.
  • We wish to leave to future generations an environment and a place to live that will be at least as healthy as that which we have inherited from our parents.

Environmental initiatives:

Since 2004, volunteers from the Association have participated in and organized a wide range of environmental programs addressing various issues of concern for our lake such as water quality, regeneration of the shoreline, septic systems, blue-green algae and invasive plants. Examples include:

  • Membership in the Conseil Régional de L’Environnement (CRE) des Laurentides.
  • Meetings with municipal officials and lobbying for better control of environmental regulations.
  • Participation in lake monitoring programs including ‘Bleue Laurentides’ , the ‘Réseau de Surveillance Volontaire des Lacs’ (RSVL), the Characterization of Aquatic Plants in the lake.
  • Attendance at numerous meetings, conferences and trainings concerning the protection of lakes.
  • Environmental awareness actions including information distribution, signage and ‘Éco-l’eau-gique’ meetings for all residents featuring various guest speakers.