Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs
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Press Release

RIVIÈRE DES MILLE ÎLES EXCAVATION WORK BEGINS

Québec, July 7, 2010. – Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Line Beauchamp announced that excavation work in the rivière des Mille Îles would begin upstream from the barrage du Grand-Moulin in Deux-Montagnes today. Following a call for tenders, the Ministère awarded the public works contract to Construction DJL inc., which was the lowest bidder.

This week will see the pre-excavation infrastructure put in place so that dredging can begin next week. Excavation work will take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and conclude this September.

The contractor is required to comply with a number of conditions that have been requested by affected municipalities to ensure that the work will proceed with the least possible inconvenience,” Minister Beauchamp declared. A 200-metre noise containment wall will be erected on the northern shore of the river, near Deux-Montagnes. Additionally, noise abatement measures will be implemented at source. When feasible, silencers and sound-suppressing boots will be attached to the tools used for the work. Tarpaulins will also be attached to trucks in order to keep a maximum amount of dust from escaping into the air. Moreover, in cooperation with the municipalities of Deux-Montagnes and Saint-Eustache, two routes have been selected for truck use that will limit any impact on traffic.

The contractor is also required to perform all work in a dry environment, for environmental reasons. At the excavation site, the riverbed will be drained to avoid any digging operation residue from spreading into the water.

The rivière des Mille Îles is the source of drinking water for a population of around 400,000 people. Currently, recorded river water flow is the lowest in 80 years and is predicted to remain weak throughout the summer. “This work will guarantee a sufficient and permanent supply of drinking water for the population of Montréal’s northern tier. I am very pleased that this efficient and sustainable solution of such benefit to the area’s residents has been implemented so quickly,” added the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Minister responsible for the Laval region, the Laurentides region and the Lanaudière region, Michelle Courchesne.

Informational tools such as a Web site and a toll-free telephone number (1 800 561-1616) have been made available to the population, to answer any questions. In addition, residents of Deux-Montagnes, Saint-Eustache and Laval will also receive an explanatory leaflet. In conclusion, Minister Beauchamp stated, “These informational tools have been put in place to ensure that citizens can get answers to their questions. We understand that people want to be well informed and have taken the steps required to make it so.”

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SOURCE:

Dave Leclerc
Press Officer
Cabinet of the Minister
Of Sustainable Development,
Environment and Parks
Tel. 418 521-3911

 

INFORMATION:

Media Relations
Ministère du Développement durable,
de l’Environnement et des Parcs
Tel.: 418 521-3991

 

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