Gatineau River boaters fear loss of Chelsea launch
Ramp used for decades to launch powerboats set to close next year
Some boaters in western Quebec worry they could soon lose access to the Gatineau River if Chelsea's municipal council goes ahead with a plan to close a ramp used for motorized watercraft.
"That launch has been open for 50 years. People have been using it," said Jean-Léon Morin, who uses the ramp for his fishing boat. "And now there's gates there."
Earlier this month, Chelsea announced a new three-point plan to promote better access to the river by next year.
The municipality said it would add a universally accessible dock with access to swimming near the community of Farm Point, as well as a ramp for non-motorized boats at the Farm Point Community Centre.
It's also planning another ramp for non-motorized boats farther down the river at the end of chemin Burnett. As a result, the launch used for powerboats is set to close in 2026 after decades of use.
"We have a beautiful river, it's the most beautiful river in Quebec," Roger Daoust, another boater, told Radio-Canada in French. "We're emotional. We love it, we adore it."
Morin said many were caught off guard by the news, and said public consultation was inadequate.
"There are very, very few points that are suitable along that part of the river," he said.
"This is really one of the only really good spots."
Chelsea Mayor Pierre Guénard said the boat launch isn't an official one and doesn't comply with provincial environmental standards. He said looking for a solution by next year, and the status quo will be maintained for now.
"Like I said multiple times, everything stays open," Guénard told CBC Radio's All In A Day last week. "But as a responsible government and as a responsible mayor, I cannot say that this is officially a boat launch because it is not. It does not respect all the criteria by the Ministry of Environment."
Morin said he and other boaters have unanswered questions, such as how the closure will be enforced.
"We still don't have a clear picture of why this happened and what environmental regulations are being cited here to cause this change," Morin said. "So there's still a lot of questions."
With files from Radio-Canada's Antoine Fontaine