Québec interdira l'enfouissement du papier, puis des déchets de table

Québec interdira l'enfouissement du papier, puis des déchets de table
Francois Cardinal
le 16 novembre 2009
La Presse

Visiblement peu fier de voir le Québec trôner parmi les plus grands producteurs de déchets au monde, le gouvernement Charest entend interdire l'enfouissement du papier et du carton d'ici à 2013, puis celui des matières organiques d'ici à 2020.

La ministre de l'Environnement, Line Beauchamp, a dévoilé lundi la toute nouvelle politique québécoise de gestion des matières résiduelles. Plutôt que d'avoir une date d'échéance comme les précédentes, elle est maintenant accompagnée d'un plan d'action quinquennal (2010-2015). PLUS >>>

Québec s'attaque aux déchets organiques
Louis Gilles Francoeur
17 novembre 2009
Le Devoir

Québec, qui a encore autorisé récemment des agrandissements de sites d'enfouissement, entend déposer l'an prochain une stratégie visant à y «bannir» d'ici 2020 toute forme d'enfouissement de matières organiques putrescibles, qu'elles proviennent de votre table, des hôpitaux, des cafétérias de cégep, des restaurants, des commerces ou de l'industrie alimentaire.

La nouvelle politique, dévoilée hier à Candiac par Line Beauchamp, ministre du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs, commence par bannir «au plus tard en 2013» l'enfouissement du papier et du carton. PLUS >>>

Quebec moves to rid dumps of food, glass, leaves
New waste-management plan; People could face fines for putting recyclables in their garbage bags
Monique Beaudin
November 17, 2009
Montreal Gazette

MONTREAL – Environment Minister Line Beauchamp wants to put Quebecers on a garbage diet.

To do it, she wants to prohibit "green" waste from landfills and give municipalities money to build compost-treatment centres around the province.

People who don't separate their trash properly could have their garbage checked by inspectors, and be fined for putting recyclables like glass and paper in their garbage bags. MORE >>>

Bravo Québec!

Zebra Mussels Invading Great Lakes!

Zebra Mussels (and Lots of Other Species) Invading Great Lakes and No One Can Decide What to Do About It: TreeHugger

Municipal Composting Program?

Ottawa's "Green Bin" Municipal Composting Program is About to Take Off: TreeHugger

Composting Already a Success in San Francisco: TreeHugger

Should fireworks be banned?

Should fireworks be banned?
Millions of people are planning to attend fireworks displays celebrating Guy Fawkes Night. But given the environmental damage they cause, should fireworks be banned by the government?
Harriet Alexander
05 Nov 2009
Telegraph

Fireworks produce brilliant coloured displays, but they also create a shower of toxic chemicals.

Aluminium produces the bright white colours, while antimony sulphide produces the glittering shimmers. The bright blues are created by copper compounds, while the green colours are produced by barium nitrate. The red colours are manufactured using strontium.

Scientists have linked a number of these with health disorders.

When people living near Disneyland – famed for its nightly fireworks spectaculars – begun complaining about breathing problems, scientists in New Mexico found a way of replacing the chemical accelerants with compressed air. But this is too expensive to be commercially viable.

Opponents claim the displays also cause considerable disruption to wildlife and household pets.

In addition to the environmental problems, the health and safety risks – or at least the bureaucracy associated with them – have caused many organisers to cancel their traditional celebrations. MORE >>>

Lac SImon: Proteger Nos Rousseaux et Lacs!

Gravel road to gravel pit crosses smaller stream. Erosion anyone!

Gravel road to gravel pit crosses smaller stream. More erosion!

Sand/gravel pit excavation above chemin Tour-de-Lac. Permits?

Sand/gravel pit excavation within 2 meters of stream

filthy water directed to stream. Sweet!

Sand pit within feet of main stream. Ever heard of the 10m rule?

Trees cut!

Adding camping sites on the lake side of chemin Tour-de-lac along the droit access.

Des Quais tros gros?

Les deux (2) quais, sont-ils tros gros?

Les 2 quais sont ils tros gros?

Les 2 quais sont ils tros gros?

Les 2 quais sont ils tros gros?

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Merci pour les Photos
Thank you for the Photos

Lac Simon: Proteger nous pas les terrain publique?

Pourquoi la Municipalité de Lac-Simon ne protege pas les fosses sur nos routes?
Wall makes for Dangerous Driving?

Proteger Nos Rouisseaux & Lacs!

trees are being cut

trees are being cut

trees are being cut

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One of three (3) drainage pipes empting into Tour-du-lac gully

Two of three (3) drainage pipes empting into Tour-de-lac gully

Trees being cut; walls being erected without geotextile backing & bottom drains

Boat Ramp in Baie L'ours Reinforced?

Pourquoi le Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs ont donner des permits pour une debarcadere dans Baie L'ours?

NON au debarcadere

See October 24, 2007 post for my initial warning/complaint on the shoreline destruction in Baie l'ours!
NON au debarcadere!
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Merci pour les Photos
Thanks for the Photos

Guard Rail Removed along Rang 4 Sud?

A resident removes a portion of the municipal guardrail to access a dock they place on municipal property!
What are the legal implications in a worse case scenario?

Milieu Humid "Azarie" Threatened?

Pourquoi la Municipalité de Lac-Simon ne proteger pas nos cours d'eaux, rouisseaux & lacs avec une etude de characterization de milieu humid?

Who is accumulating stones next to a milieu humid & stream?

Who is accumulating stones next to a milieu humid & stream?

Do we not need to protect milieu humid & streams into lac Simon?

The stream, baie & Lac Barriere; and the clearing of land last yr?

Milieu humid & stream being destroyed?

Milieu humid & stream being destroyed?

Election09: Vote for Change!

Election 2009 (Sunday November 1): A clean sweep! New maire & 6 new councilors for municipality of Lac Simon. (1) Paul Malouf 549 - 224; (2) Gilles Robillard 501 - 292; (3) Robert Johnson 432 - 369; (4) Louise Houle Richard 468 - 328; (5) Pierre Paquin 515 - 276; (6) Richard Crete 490 - 219 - 84; and for maire Denis Papin 531 - 270.

Note: We will be sworn in on Friday November 6. That same day we will review the various portfolios with the dg & assistant dg. On Monday November 9 we will have our 1st council meeting; Hope to see many a Simonets there!

UPDATE (Saturday October 31): Correspondence: 26 more votes cast (received as of Friday night). Total correspondence: 15 + 96 + 20 (refused: 6 votes) = 131 . Total votes: 450

Note: It would have been 467 as of Saturday, but for the 17 refused.

UPDATE (Wednesday October 28): Correspondence: 96 more votes cast (received as of Wednesday night). Total correspondence: 15 + 96 (refused: 11 votes) = 111. Total votes cast: 430

Note: It would have been 441 as of Wednesday night, but for the 11 refused. Why? Because some Ontario citizens used driving licenses without photo. Should have been a Canadian passport!

UPDATE (Sunday October 25): advance poll: 319 votes cast. Correspondence: 15 votes cast (received as of last Friday). Remember: The electoral list has grow from around 800 (2005) to around 1200 (2007) to around 1500 (2009). Participation records will be broken! Get out & vote!!!

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Municipal elections ~ Lac Simon
Advance poll: Sunday October 25, 2009 12:00 – 20:00
Poll: Sunday November 1, 2009 10:00 – 20:00

These past four years we Simonets have witnessed an administration that has made far too many poor decisions. Fortunately, we Simonets have helped save our lake and our community several times. The current administration has unanimously:

• Voted for the 2007 merger referendum. The population voted 76.6% against!
• Raised taxes by approximately 40% during their 4-yr mandate. The maire has publicly stated that he wants to raise taxes even more during the next mandate!
• Increased spending from $1,911,246.00 in 2007 to $2,822,451.00 in 2008. By increasing spending by $911,205 in 1 year, the council created a huge deficit and nearly erased our accumulated surplus!
• Cancelled in 2008 the issuance at council meetings of the monthly cheques being issued by our government. What are they hiding?
• Cancelled in 2008 the first of two question periods at council meetings. Why are they afraid of our questions?
• Approved roads & projects in 2 sensitive areas without plans. The environmental degradation of sensitive areas like Ile Canard Blanc & Baie L'ours must be stopped!
• Allocated less funds in 2009 to protect the environment than in 2006. The council even refused a $57,000 grant in 2008 from the MRC Papineau!
• Voted for the construction of a $2.0 million new town hall and a $500,000 caserne expansion in spring 2009. The citizens registered 436 signatures against, double the required 216 on an early spring day June 2!
  

We Simonets have stood together and have pushed back several times. The journey has been long. Clearly, this comedy of errors must end!

I, like many of the people I have spoken with these past 3 years, love this lake. We need a government that has that same passion ~ our passion! My promise is to provide: integrity, honesty, transparency, sound judgement, and of course damn good government.

It is time for change!

The objectives are clear. We must:

• protect our lake & respect our environment & ecology;
• create a superior quality of life for our community;
• have more efficient operations;
  
• have solid financial discipline; and
• institute proper planning & sound objectives.
  

To achieve these goals, I have joined L’equipe Papin. For maire: Denis Papin. For counselor: Paul Malouf, Gilles Robillard, Robert Johnson, Louise Houle Richard, Richard Crete and Pierre Paquin. All seven have homes on the lake!

A final thought: I propose that although the arc of our journey towards better stewardship of Lac-Simon has seemed long & somewhat tumultuous these past 3 years, it will bend slightly more (an understatement) towards our destination, if on November 1 we, as a community, act in unison and elect me, Paul Malouf (you're independent editor/activist) and perhaps counselor. Then instead of constantly reacting to horribly poor management we can act and build that healthy & happy community in harmony with nature we so richly deserve.

The moment is now for we Simonets to create that change. We need Change! We need a clear majority! We must exercise our rights as citizens: vote on October 25 and November 1!

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lacsimon.blogspot exists because this fragile Lake deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.

Election09: Attentes face aux Élus Municipaux - APLS

ÉLECTIONS 2009- ATTENTES FACE AUX ÉLUS MUNICIPAUX

NOTE: Lac Simon Property-Owners’ Association Municipal Elections 2009 - LSPA Priorities is available in English on their site.

Vision du développement global du lac

• Réaliser une étude de capacité de support du développement résidentiel et touristique du lac Simon
• Planifier rapidement des règlements concordants avec les résultats de l’étude pour encadrer le développement touristique et résidentiel de deuxième et troisième ligne (En cours à Duhamel)
• Se donner les moyens pour développer un tourisme de plein air sur quatre saisons
• Maintenir les frais d’accès au lac pour les non résidents
• Contrôler l’accès au lac des bateaux non-résidents par les propriétés privées ou camping
  

Protection de l’environnement

• Élaborer un plan stratégique à long terme en matière de protection de l’environnement et de la qualité de l’eau du lac
• Maintenir et accélérer le programme d’inspection des fosses septiques
• Établir un programme de suivi de vidange des fosses septiques
• Établir un plan revitalisation des berges
• Établir un plan de gestion des eaux de ruissellement (sédiments) tant pour les infrastructures municipales que pour les propriétés privées
  

Réfection du réseau routier

• Planifier les interventions sur 5 ans
• Allouer les ressources nécessaires pour l’expertise d’un technologue afin de planifier des aspects environnementaux, particulièrement pour les eaux de ruissellement
  

Transparence

• Améliorer la rapidité de la circulation de l’information aux contribuables
• Faire le suivi des dossiers soulevés par les contribuables aux séances du conseil municipal
• Faire connaître l’information et les arguments menant aux propositions déposées aux séances du conseil municipal.
  

Gestion et application des règlements municipaux

• Agir de façon proactive et non seulement après les faits.
• Allocation de ressources financières et humaines pour agir de façon préventive
• Avoir une procédure facilitant le suivi auprès des contrevenants pour perception des amendes et remise en état
  

Amélioration de la sécurité (vitesse, vol, etc.)

• Mettre en place des mesures améliorant la sécurité, 12 mois par année

Planification budgétaire

• Présenter une planification budgétaire pour les 4 prochaines années et établir les priorités
• Présenter les modalités pour atteindre l’équilibre budgétaire sans hausse de taxe excessive
• Allouer un pourcentage suffisant du budget pour atteindre les objectifs reliés à la protection de l’environnement
  

Nous vous invitons à vous informer des programmes des différents candidats et si vous partagez cette vision, vous pourrez appuyer les candidats qui selon vous répondent le mieux à ces attentes.

Les rivières du Canada en «péril» selon WWF

Les rivières du Canada en «péril» selon WWF
Agence France-Presse
La Presse
Montréal

Le réchauffement climatique, l'expansion des zones agricoles, industrielles et urbaines, ainsi que la construction de barrages hydroélectriques mettent «en péril» les grandes rivières du Canada, a estimé jeudi le Fonds mondial pour la nature (WWF). PLUS >>>

Election09: Nos Besoins ~ Planification

What the Municipalité de Lac-Simon needs NOW!

In regard to "strategic town planning & objectives", the Municipalité de Lac-Simon needs:

1. Formulate an Overall Development & Capacity Plan PAE;
2. Establish an independent Consultative committee on Town Planning CCU;
   
3. Formulate an Environmental Master Plan (areas to protect & green themes);
4. Beef-up the municipal policy for Regulation of Construction; and
   
5. Establish a basic Architectural Integration Plan PIIA (plage-marie-marina-manoir district)

...stay tuned for more ideas!

Paul Malouf :)

lacsimon.blogspot exists because this fragile Lake deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.

Election09: Nos Besoins ~ Environment

What the Municipalité de Lac-Simon needs NOW!

In regard to Ecosystems, the Municipalité de Lac-Simon needs:

1. The Lac Simon Ecosystem should be maintained and as necessary restored or enhanced to support self-reproducing diverse biological communities.
2. The presence of contaminants shall not limit the uses of fish, wildlife, and waters of the Lac Simon basin by humans and shall not cause adverse health effects in plants and animals.
3. We as a society shall recognize our capacity to cause great changes in the ecosystem and we shall conduct our activities with responsible stewardship for the Lac Simon basin.
   

Objectives

• Aquatic Communities: the waters of Lac Simon shall support diverse and healthy reproducing and self-sustaining communities in dynamic equilibrium, with an emphasis on native species.
• Wildlife: the perpetuation of a healthy, diverse, and self-sustaining wildlife community that utilizes the lake for habitat and/or food shall be ensured by attaining and sustaining the waters, coastal wetlands, and upland habitats.
• Human Health: the waters, plants, and animals of Lac Simon shall be free from contaminants and organisms resulting from human activities at levels that affect human health or aesthetic factors.
• Habitat: Lac Simon waters and surrounding tributary, wetland, and upland habitats shall be of sufficient quality and quantity to support ecosystem objectives for the health, productivity, and distribution of plants and animals in and adjacent to Lac Simon.
• Stewardship: Human activities and decisions shall embrace environ-mental ethics and a commitment to responsible stewardship.

...stay tuned for more ideas!

Paul Malouf :)

lacsimon.blogspot exists because this fragile Lake deserves a voice. It needs solutions. It needs change. It needs action.

Election09: Candidat à la mairie de Lac-Simon, Denis Papin

Quatre priorités pour le candidat à la mairie de Lac-Simon, Denis Papin
Jessy Laflamme
le 18 septembre 2009
La Petite Nation

Les réparations de routes, l’environnement, le contrôle du bruit et la création d’activités sont les quatre priorités du candidat à la mairie de Lac-Simon, Denis Papin.
«Mon but principal est d’investir dans nos chemins. Certains contribuables possèdent des maisons de 500 000 $ et paient des milliers en taxes municipales, mais ne peuvent profiter de belles routes, c’est illogique», affirme-t-il.

Côté environnement, M. Papin désire vider les fosses septiques des résidents tous les deux ans. «Une année, on viderait le côté est du lac et l’année suivante, le côté ouest. De cette façon, on assurerait un suivi adéquat», souligne-t-il. Il désire également protéger les berges des lacs et effectuer du contrôle sur la coupe des arbres.

Il désire aussi appliquer des règlements sur le bruit. «Présentement, on ne remarque pas le lac Simon par sa beauté, mais par des sons d’enfer que produisent certains engins avec de bruyants pots d’échappement», mentionne-t-il. Pour régler ce problème, M. Papin désire organiser une consultation publique en 2010. PLUS >>>

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Serge Thivierge se représente à Lac-Simon
Jessy Laflamme
le 5 septembre 2009
La Petite Nation

Le maire de Lac-Simon, Serge Thivierge, sollicite un deuxième mandat.

«J’aime beaucoup m’impliquer dans ma communauté, c’est pourquoi je désire continuer à représenter les citoyens», affirme M. Thivierge.

Le maire habite dans la Petite-Nation depuis 20 ans. Il a travaillé pour le Canadian National pendant 20 ans comme gérant de projet. Il siège au conseil municipal depuis 18 ans. «J’habitais auparavant à Saint-Bruno, puis j’ai éprouvé le désir de changer d’air. J’ai opté pour Lac-Simon à cause de sa beauté.»

Parmi les réalisations des quatre dernières années de M. Thivierge et du conseil municipal, on retrouve beaucoup d’ententes. «Nous avons renouvelé le contrat de service sur la sécurité incendie avec Chénéville, nous avons élaboré une entente avec Chénéville, Duhamel et Montpellier pour l’établissement d’un bureau d’accueil touristique, nous avons aussi convenu une entente avec Chénéville pour le projet de relocalisation et l’agrandissement de la bibliothèque et nous avons élaboré une entente avec le CREDETAO pour la création d’un jardin de plante aromatique et médicinale, sans oublier l’entente avec Chénéville et Duhamel pour l’instauration de la cueillette des ordures à la suite de la fermeture du dépotoir», énumère M. Thivierge. PLUS >>>

More Ugly Monday Morning Pollution?

How clean is you're water?

Another Project w/out Permits?

A 1500-foot road (along chemin Tour de Lac) was built in July, apparently without any municipal permit (permit no; knowledge yes). Several citizen reports have stated that the waters of Lac Simon, where the local streams empty into the lake, were murky.

Again, several citizens asked questions at the municipal office & at town council; but few answers were forthcoming. Was the maire & council aware? Was the project officially approved? Or was the project simply given a verbal go-ahead without permits? Denials all around.

Verdict: undemocratic, ecological stupidity & managerial incompetency.
Looking up from chemin Tour de Lac.

Looking down the new 'road', about a 1/3 of the way up.

Looking down the new 'road', about a 2/3 of the way up.

Lots of mud.

Erabliere Lac Simon Parking! ...& Expanded Operation?

The Erabliere Lac Simon has expanded its parking lot!
Does the Erabliere want to expand its operation as well?
Why is there no culvert under the access road?

The gravel was bulldozed right to the stream; the very stream that nourishes the maple streams.
One can see the blue piping for the maple syrup in the background.

The stream, with lots of cut branches; looking down towards the parking expansion & chemin Tour de Lac

Lac Barriere Soap Glaciers?

"At 8 am Saturday, August 8th, these pictures were taken in front of our cottage on Lac Barriere. The white stuff which is floating looks like an iceberg in the lake; it is not ice but dirty soap. I was quite astonished at the size of the one large piece of this soap-like iceberg but also of the other smaller pieces. Someone or something has been dumped or washed into the lake illegally and this is unacceptable.

I thought I would forward these pictures along in case you want to bring this to the attention of anyone who would care to listen or perhaps post them on your blog. I know that my Mom had reported this sighting once last year and the inspector had come to take a sample of some soap which landed on our beach but nothing was ever reported back.

Thanks for your attention to this and kind regards." ~B

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Merci pour la Photo

Thank you for the Photo