mercredi 16 janvier 2013

Le Domaine des Pères Sainte-Croix à Lac-Simon Sacré Site Patrimonial


"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher." 
~ William Wordsworth

“I wonder if the snow loves the trees and fields, that it kisses them so gently? And then it covers them up snug, you know, with a white quilt; and perhaps it says "Go to sleep, darlings, till the summer comes again.” 
~ Lewis Carroll

Le domaine sacré site patrimonial
Jessy Laflamme
le 16 janvier 2013
Le droit

Les propriétaires actuels et futurs du domaine des Pères Sainte-Croix à Lac-Simon devront obtenir une autorisation du conseil municipal avant d'effectuer des modifications à cet endroit puisque l'endroit est maintenant considéré comme site patrimonial.

Ainsi, le bâtiment principal, le pavillon Georges-Gagnon, la croix de chemin située à l'angle de la route 321 et du chemin des Pères, le cimetière, le calvaire et le chemin de croix bordant le littoral du lac Simon sont reconnus par le conseil municipal de l'endroit comme des éléments patrimoniaux conformément à la Loi sur le patrimoine culturel.

Pour la représentante d'un groupe de citoyens désirant acquérir le domaine en vue de créer une coopérative de solidarité sociale, Chantal Crête, cette étape représente un pas important pour pouvoir transformer l'endroit en centre culturel communautaire.

«Il reste maintenant à concrétiser la phase deux qui est d'acheter le site afin de le préserver et de le mettre en valeur», indique MmeCrête. Elle estime qu'il a été démontré que les projets qui réussissent le mieux à assurer la pérennité du patrimoine des lieux de culte désaffectés sont ceux issus d'une mobilisation citoyenne. «Nous détenons les fonds requis pour en faire l'acquisition au prix demandé et nous savons que le projet va permettre de combler des besoins importants en matière d'infrastructures communautaires, culturelles et récréotouristiques», ajoute-t-elle.

Des appuis

Ayant déjà en main l'appui des députés Alexandre Iracà et Mylène Freeman, MmeCrête tentera maintenant d'obtenir celui de la MRC Papineau. «Puisque nous ne recevons pas de nouvelles des Pères Sainte-Croix, nous avons deux choix, croit-elle. Soit on attend qu'ils nous appellent ou on continue à vendre notre projet et à obtenir des appuis pour monter un dossier solide. Ainsi, si jamais nous avons la chance de rencontrer la congrégation, nous serons en mesure de leur démontrer la viabilité et l'importance de notre projet.»

Il a été impossible de discuter avec un représentant des Pères Sainte-Croix pour connaître leur intention dans ce dossier. PLUS >>>


 Domaine des pères Sainte-Croix at Lac-Simon, Québec Has Been Saved!

Domaine des pères Sainte-Croix at Lac-Simon, Québec Has Been Saved!

lundi 7 janvier 2013

Great Lakes Environmental Assessment & Mapping Project

"Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land." 
~ Aldo Leopold

“Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread. A civilization which destroys what little remains of the wild, the spare, the original, is cutting itself off from its origins and betraying the principle of civilization itself.” 
~ Edward Abbey



It's "Day 37" of President Obama's second term. The next four years are crucial in the fight against climate disruption. Let The White House know what President Obama can do right now to respond to the climate threat and protect national treasures, such as the Great Lakes.


Lakes Michigan, Huron sink to lowest level ever
Governor expected to call Thursday for $11M to dredge harbors

Jim Lynch
February 2, 2013

Detroit News 

In the nearly 100 years researchers have catalogued the rise and fall of the Great Lakes, Michigan and Huron have never seen a month like January.

The two-lake system recorded its lowest-ever level for a month, a mean of 576.02 feet above sea level. It's a number that dips below the all-time low for January — 576.12 feet — as well as the all-time low for any month, 576.05 feet in March 1964.

For those who live along or play in the waters of the Great Lakes, the news is disturbing but unsurprising. Each of the lakes has lingered below its long-term averages for years as the region endured drought-like conditions. When the 2011-12 winter produced less-than-expected snowfall and the ensuing spring produced little rainfall, the seeds were sown for records.

Low lakes have meant recreational watercraft running aground, shorelines and beaches expanding as the lakes recede, changing fish habitats and forcing shipping vessels to drastically reduce the tonnage they carry. MORE >>>


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"Learning never exhausts the mind." 
~ Leonardo Da Vinci

Welcome to the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and Mapping (GLEAM) Project!

Our research team builds new tools to integrate spatial information for environmental management decisions in the Great Lakes.  We aim to build maps to visualize and understand environmental impacts (or stressors) on the lakes and benefits humans enjoy from the lakes (or ecosystem services).  For example, we developed this high resolution map of cumulative ecosystem stress to guide restoration, conservation, and management efforts. This map merges data for all major categories of environmental stressors to the Great Lakes, ranging from climate change to pollution to invasive species.  We invite you to explore this interactive map using the pan and zoom tools in the upper left corner, and to browse all of the other information and maps on our site.



How Climate Change Is Damaging The Great Lakes, With Implications For The Environment And The Economy
Climate Progress

The impact climate change has on the five lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) will have serious implications for aquatic life, as well as high economic costs for communities.
  • The Great Lakes stretch from Minnesota to New York. They account for over 80 percent of North America’s surface freshwater, and provide drinking water to 40 million U.S. and Canadian citizens.
  • Many industries in the region that depend on trade through the lakes will face navigation challenges, and will have to reduce the amount of cargo carried.
  • Tourism and recreational activities that are vital to coastal communities will surely feel the negative economic effects. Activity associated with recreational fishing alone is estimated to be at least $7 billion annually.
  • Infrastructure investments will need to occur, as the necessity for extending docks and dredging increases.
  • And the habitats of fish, birds, and other mammals will be altered.
The two maps below developed by the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment and Mapping project (GLEAM) illustrate the severity of the environmental impacts on the lakes, as well as the warming temperature of the lakes.