Photo: Courtesy
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The recent removal of shoreline vegetation around Lake Davignon in Cowansville has ignited a debate between environmental advocates and the municipal government, highlighting the challenges of balancing environmental protection with urban development.
The environmental advocates’ perspective
The Comité de sauvegarde du bassin versant du lac Davignon (CSBVLD), a local non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the lake’s ecosystem, issued a press release July 31 expressing strong concerns about the removal of trees and other vegetation along the lake’s shoreline.
According to Pierre St-Arnault, president of the CSBVLD, these activities pose a significant threat to the lake’s ecological integrity. “In 2024, it is alarming to see such work being authorized in a riparian zone,” St-Arnault remarked in the release. He emphasized the critical role that natural vegetation plays in filtering contaminants and maintaining water quality, as well as providing essential habitat for aquatic wildlife.
The CSBVLD’s statement underscored the perceived contradiction between the City’s recent protection plan for Lake Davignon and the issuance of permits allowing extensive clearing of the shoreline. The organization highlighted that the removal of trees and shrubs not only undermines the filtration of pollutants but also increases water temperatures by removing shade, potentially disrupting the aquatic ecosystem. They called for a thorough review of the permit issuance process to ensure stricter regulations that align with the lake’s conservation goals.
The municipality’s response
In response to the concerns raised by the CSBVLD, the Town of Cowansville published a statement on its website, clarifying the circumstances surrounding the permit issued for the work on the shoreline. The municipality emphasized that the permit was not for deforestation but rather for the stabilization of a specific section of the shoreline that was experiencing soil slippage.
The Town of Cowansville explained that the affected area had been facing a serious issue due to the slope of the bank and the weight of mature trees leaning towards the lake, which was causing the soil to destabilize and slip into the water. The municipality asserted that the permit was a last-resort measure aimed at preventing further erosion and ensuring the safety of the area. This permit involved the use of rock reinforcement (enrochement) to stabilize the slope, a method considered necessary to prevent more severe environmental degradation.
The Town’s statement also noted that all required procedures were followed, including obtaining the approval of a certified engineer who assessed the situation and designed the stabilization plan. The municipality reassured residents that the health of Lake Davignon remains a top priority and that the permit was issued in strict adherence to the lake’s action plan.
Both the CSBVLD and the municipality acknowledge the importance of Lake Davignon as a source of drinking water and a recreational area for thousands of people, underscoring the need for a balanced approach that respects both environmental and community needs. The Record reached out to the Town and St-Arnault for further comment. A representative from the Town referred The Record to its website statement. St-Arnault did not respond before press time.
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