A wind project near Quebec threatens species at risk

It’s a little surprising that we didn’t go to the endangered species registry, where all the information about key habitats is available.Alain Branchaud, a biologist and general manager of the Quebec Nature and Parks Society, disagrees.

It is not serious when we are proposing projects in a species’ critical habitat, habitat that is necessary for its survival.he added in an interview with the show first hour Monday.

To meet Quebec’s energy needs, Hydro-Québec has joined forces with Boralex and Énergir to develop the “Des Neiges” wind energy project. The authorities plan to install between 180 and 240 wind turbines in three separate projects that will be adjacent to existing wind farms in Seigneurie de Beaupré.

According to his first published information the Be forcedthe consequences of deforestation will have detrimental effects on certain bird species, species at risk such as bats and forest caribou.

Change of habitat

Bicknell’s thrush is a migratory breeding bird with special status. According to a study conducted by PESCA Environnement and submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, the project may affect its natural habitat.

Critical habitat for this species has been designated in one of the sectors, and it is difficult to understand why proponents and those entrusted with the responsibility of conducting impact studies do not even refer to publicly available maps.Alain Branchaud says.

Deforestation necessary to build a wind farm could help alter the Bicknell’s blackbird’s habitat and negatively impact its existence, at least in the short term, the study argues.

Cutting down trees will cause a loss of roosts for bats, whose population has declined in recent years. According to one study, these mammals are of great economic and ecological importance to agricultural and forestry sectors due to their ability to control insect populations.

In the case of woodland caribou, the greatest impact will be related to the construction of access roads to infrastructure. Alain Branchaud argues that large enough habitats should be considered to avoid harmful consequences for this animal.

The woodland caribou is designated as an endangered species in Canada.

Photo: Radio-Canada

” This is a very sensitive species to disturbances. »

Some studies show impacts as far as 10 kilometers from infrastructure. So if we want to have a healthy population and eventually get these individuals out of the enclosures, we need to plan and protect their habitats.adds the biologist.

Overview, General Evaluation

For Alain Branchaud, the problem is broader. He believes Quebec will have to start thinking about its vision for the future.

Alain Branchaud, director general of the Quebec chapter of the Canadian Society for Nature and Parks. (File image)

Photo: Radio-Canada / Laurent Boursier

millions de Québécois? Si on se projette dans l’avenir, puis qu’on veut toujours être plus gros, on n’en sortira pas, l’impact cumulatif sur la biodiversité et sur les écosystèmes du territoire va être dramatique”,”text”:”Est-ce qu’on veut devenir la grande batterie de l’Amérique du Nord? Est-ce qu’on veut avoir une démographie au Québec de 50millions de Québécois? Si on se projette dans l’avenir, puis qu’on veut toujours être plus gros, on n’en sortira pas, l’impact cumulatif sur la biodiversité et sur les écosystèmes du territoire va être dramatique”}}”>Want to be the big battery of North America? Do we want 50 million Quebecers in Quebec? If we project ourselves into a future where we always want to be bigger, we won’t get out of it, and the cumulative effect on biodiversity and the ecosystems of the area will be dramatic.is afraid

” Now we have to move from words to action and think that maybe we can be an example for the rest of the world. »

However, the recent COP15 gave Alain Branchau hope.

The Government of Quebec, the Government of Canada, the City of Montreal, in particular, supported the idea of ​​continuing the dialogue on solutions and moving towards an economy that can function independently of growth. .