HUDSON,
QC, May 3, 2024 /CNW/ - The Town of
Hudson wishes to inform the public that it is obliged to close
Sandy Beach for the summer of
2024. The trails leading to this beach are currently on private
property and are no longer accessible to the public.
The Town of Hudson must now
assess all possible scenarios to provide access to the beach in
full compliance with environmental standards. Considering that the
new trail will be established in a sensitive ecological environment
(riparian buffer strip, wetlands, dense wooded area), several steps
must be taken before the public can regain access to the beach.
As a result, the Town has already begun working on a permanent
solution to allow access to the beach. To ensure compliance with
regulations as quickly as possible, the Town has entrusted SAGIE
Inc. with a mandate to characterize the environment and make
recommendations to align the trail development. According to Gérald
Renaud, senior advisor at SAGIE Inc., "the area targeted by the
project to relocate a section of the Sandy Beach trail is a riparian area of the
Outaouais River subject to regulation by the Ministry of the
Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks. This control
involves a study of the ecological characteristics (fauna, flora,
and habitat) and water characteristics (coastline, shoreline, and
flood zone), which will make it possible to establish whether the
project needs to be submitted to the Ministry for
authorization."
Once these recommendations have been received, a contract will
be awarded to prepare plans and specifications for the new
facilities. The chosen concept and the planned work must be
submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for approval. Only
once the Ministry's approval has been confirmed will the Town be
able to award a contract and proceed with the pathway's
configuration. This step is provided for in the Act and will cause
some delays.
Given the situation, the Town plans to implement measures which
will ensure respect for private property. Therefore, at its regular
meeting on May 6, the Municipal
Council will be asked to consider a draft by-law banning parking in
the vicinity of the former accesses to the beach.
The Town also plans to post signs around the site to inform the
public of its closure. In return, the Town will be advertising
other activities for visitors. Hudson has much to offer in terms of tourism,
and intends to advertise its attractions to all those who visit
Hudson.
It is currently impossible to put forward a date for the
reopening of the beach, as the Town does not control the deadlines
for the stages that are the responsibility of other partners,
including the Ministry of the Environment, which must approve the
installation of a new pathway.
The Town would like to thank the public for respecting the new
signage that will be in place and for helping to protect an
ecological site of undeniable value.
SOURCE Town of Hudson