Press Release

Québec, July 28, 2011 – The ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs wishes to inform residents that work on the rivière des Mille Îles will be restarted in August 2011. This is the final phase of construction that follows the work performed in 2010, which ensured the safe and sustainable supply of drinking water for more than 400,000 residents of Montréal’s northern tier. The final phase consists of constructing an alternate spawning ground of approximately 4,300 square metres, of which some 3,300 square metres were excavated last year.

The work will last approximately 12 weeks, but could vary depending on weather conditions. The work, to be concentrated on the northern shore of the river and take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday, will include the following stages:

• Set up the site
• Prepare the equipment
• Complete excavation of the alternate spawning ground, clean and finish developing the excavated area
• Remove the cofferdam, restore the area and remove the construction site.

Measures have been taken to minimize any inconvenience related to this final phase of the project. A noise abatement wall similar to the one built in 2010 will reduce sound pollution. As well, electrical generators used on the site will include a higher level of soundproofing and will be placed in such a way as to keep noise to a minimum. In fact, the reason why the work was not restarted at the beginning of the season was to ensure a largely peaceful summer for shoreline residents.

Please note that this work will not impact the supply of water to the 11 municipalities that withdraw their water from the river.

For further information on the progress of the work, residents are asked to visit the following web site: www.cehq.gouv.qc.ca, or call (toll-free) 1-800-561-1616.

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