CALEB NICKERSON
CAMPBELL’S BAY
July 24, 2018
On July 24, engaged Pontiac residents turned up to the MRC offices in Campbell’s Bay to discuss the protection of the region’s watersheds.
The event was hosted by the Agence de Bassin Versant des 7 (ABV7), a non-profit organization with a mandate to protect the seven main watersheds in the region. The group was created in 2004 in response to Quebec’s Water Policy, which was adopted by the provincial government in 2002.
Its objectives were to treat Quebec’s water as a shared heritage of all residents, that needs to be maintained in a sustainable way to protect public health and aquatic ecosystems. Through consultations with stakeholders, they aim to educate and learn from the public.

The consultation was the first of two in the Pontiac, with the second held on July 26 in Waltham. Though the evening started out with a brief presentation from ABV7 representative Carly Steben, the majority of the evening was a group discussion of the issues facing the region’s water resources.
The territory covered by the group holds seven watersheds: Dumoine, Blance Ouest, Coulonge, Gatineau, Noire, Quyon and a part of the Ottawa River.
Attendees, which included local residents as well as MRC Territory Director Régent Dugas and Environmental Officer Kerri Richardson, broke off into groups and focused on different aspects of watercourse management, like accessibility, ethics, safety and quality.
Issues ranged from new legislation around shoreline development to invasive species. One issue raised was the lack of communication from Hydro Quebec when it comes to the regulation of water levels.
Those looking for more information on ABV7 and their work can visit their website at ABV7.org.