The Magpie River: Beautiful from One End to the Other

CPAWS Québec and TheBigWild.org launches campaign to protect vital Quebec waterway Montreal, November 29th, 2010 - CPAWS Québec is proud to launch today its new campaign, with its partner Association Eaux- vives Minganie, to protect the Magpie river throught the social movement The Big Wild.The Big Wild’s 46,000 followers are made up of outdoor enthusiasts who feel they have a vested interest in wilderness conservation across Canada. Many of them love playing in water and prefer wild and protected rivers. This campaign is asking the Québec government to safeguard one of the last great wild rivers in Québec. Conservationists worldwide value the Magpie River for its ecological diversity and huge tourist potential. For more information about the campaign, visit our website. A River that Turns Heads The Magpie River was ranked one of the top ten rivers in the world for whitewater activities by National Geographic. "In Québec, there aren’t any other wild whitewater rivers that are also so easily accessable," says Mathieu Bourdon, a spokesperson for the Association Eaux-vives Minganie. Not only does the Magpie River attract thrill-seekers, stimulate the economy and diversify the regional development potential of the North Shore, but it also boasts a fascinating ecological heritage. “It’s vital to ensure the permanent protection of the proposed Massif des lacs Belmont and Magpie biodiversity reserve, which is currently under interim protection. Equally important is the expansion of the protected area in question so that it includes the Magpie River," says Sophie Paradis, co-director of SNAP Québec, a partner organization of The Big Wild and Mountain Equipment Co-op. A River Free of any New Power Project A section of the Magpie River south of the proposed Massif des lacs Belmont and Magpie biodiversity reserve has substantial hydropower and Hydro-Québec wants to harness this power in the near future. However, after public consultation, Quebec’s Bureau d'audiences publiques sur l'environnement (BAPE) recommended in a 2007 report that the course of the Magpie River south of the proposed reserve should remain free of any new hydroelectric project and gain protected status to preserve its natural character and recreational potential. To ensure this happens, The Big Wild is asking Quebec’s Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife, Nathalie Normandeau, to rule out any possibility of hydroelectric projects on this important whitewater river. We’re also asking Quebec’s Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks, Pierre Arcand, to apply permanent protection status to the proposed biodiversity reserve under interim protection since 2003 and include the Magpie River. Both ministers must work together to ensure the complete and permanent protection of the Magpie River. Concerned citizens are invited to add their voice to the project . If the government commits to permanent protection, it will move closer to its goal of conservation and sustainable development in the region covered by the Northern Plan. It will also be closer to achieving the provincial goal of protecting 12% of all public wildernesses by 2015. - 30 - Founded by MEC and the CPAWS, The Big Wild is a conservation movement that makes it easy for Canadians to stand up for wilderness protection campaigns. Marie-Line Gagné French Communications Coordinator The Big Wild 514-278-7627 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              514-278-7627      end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              514-278-7627      end_of_the_skype_highlighting ext 225