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

Plan Nord

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS ON THE CREATION OF PARC NATIONAL DES MONTS‑PYRAMIDES

 
Québec, September 21, 2011. – The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Pierre Arcand, confirms the Government of Québec's intention to create Parc national des Monts-Pyramides in Nunavik, and announces the holding of public consultations from November 21 to 25, 2011 in the communities of Kangiqsualujjuaq, Kuujjuaq and Kawawachikamach. The national park project was developed by a working group composed of representatives from the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP), the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), the Makivik Corporation, the northern villages of Kangiqsualujjuaq and Kuujjuaq, and the Naskapi Nation of Kawawachikamach.

We have undertaken an unprecedented process toward protecting and developing the unique northern heritage of Québec. Protection of the environment, of northern ecosystems and biodiversity, are at the heart of Plan Nord. In this context, the creation of Parc national des Monts-Pyramides will preserve representative elements of northern natural regions while also having a beneficial impact on the economic and tourist development of Nunavik", declared Minister Arcand.

A territory dedicated to conservation

The area proposed for creation of the new national park covers 5272 km2. Located approximately 200 kilometres southeast of Kuujjuaq, it is traversed for some 135 kilometres by the Rivière George, a section of the river that includes the Chutes Helen. The Monts Pyramides owe their name to the pyramidal shape of their best-known member, Pic Pyramide. The Inuit call this mountain Ulittaniujalik, meaning "the place where there are shorelines". The stranded shorelines clearly visible on Pic Pyramide correspond to different levels of a glacial lake that covered the region toward the end of the last glaciation, some 7500 years ago.

This territory is the habitat of more than 500 plant species and nearly 150 animal species. Due to the rigorous climate, the vegetation essentially consists of herbaceous plants, mosses and lichens, though in the valley bottoms there are stands of forest, predominantly white and black spruce. The Rivière George is famed for its salmon fishing, but is also known for the caribou herd named after it, whose calving grounds are on the adjacent plateaus.

Unlike national parks in southern Québec, which are managed by Sépaq, Parc national des Monts-Pyramides will be operated by the Kativik Regional Government. Once the park is officially created, an agreement will be signed between the KRG and the MDDEP delegating management to the Inuit.

How to participate in the public consultations

Persons and organizations wishing to participate in the public consultations must make their intention known, then submit a memorandum expressing their opinion by November 16,  2011. The memorandum may be sent by electronic mail to pyramides@mddefp.gouv.qc.ca, or by postal mail to the following address:

Projet de parc national des Monts-Pyramides
Direction du patrimoine écologique et des parcs
Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs
675, boulevard René-Lévesque Est, 4e étage, boîte 21
Québec (Québec)  G1R 5V7

Public consultations will be held at Kangiqsualujjuaq on November 21 (7 p.m.) and November 22 (9 a.m.); at Kuujjuaq on November 23 (7 p.m.); and at Kawawachikamach on November 24 (7 p.m.) and November 25 (9 a.m.). The exact locations will be announced at a later date.

Information documents about this national park project are available on the website of the MDDEP at www.mddefp.gouv.qc.ca/parcs/monts-pyramides/. Printed copies are also available upon request.

Plan Nord

Presented on May 9 of this year, Plan Nord is one of the largest projects for sustainable development in the history of Québec. It will be carried out over 25 years, during which time it will create over $80 billion in investments. Plan Nord incorporates energy, mining, forestry, bio-food, tourism, transportation and wildlife development, together with protection of the environment and the conservation of biodiversity. It will encourage development for the benefit of all communities concerned and for Québec as a whole, while respecting cultures and identities.

www.plannord.gouv.qc.ca

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Source:

Sarah Shirley
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister
of Sustainable Development,
Environment and Parks
Tel.: 418-521-3911 

 

Information:

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

 

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