Saturday, May 4, 2024
The Town of Hudson wishes to notify the public of the closure of Sandy Beach for the entirety of the summer season in 2024. Currently, the trails leading to the beach traverse private property and are inaccessible to the public.
In response, the Town is undertaking a thorough assessment to ensure beach access aligns with environmental standards. Given the sensitive ecological nature of the area, including riparian buffer strips, wetlands, and dense wooded regions, several steps must be taken before public access can be reinstated.
As a result, the Town has already begun working on a permanent solution to allow access to the beach. To ensure compliance with regulations as quickly as possible, the Town has entrusted SAGIE Inc. with a mandate to characterize the environment and make recommendations to align the trail development. According to Gérald Renaud, senior advisor at SAGIE Inc., “the area targeted by the project to relocate a section of the Sandy Beach trail is a riparian area of the Outaouais River subject to regulation by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife, and Parks. This control involves a study of the ecological characteristics (fauna, flora, and habitat) and water characteristics (coastline, shoreline, and flood zone), which will make it possible to establish whether the project needs to be submitted to the Ministry for authorization.”
Following receipt of recommendations, a contract will be awarded to develop plans and specifications for new facilities. These plans, along with proposed work, will undergo review and approval by the Ministry of the Environment. Subsequent contract awards and pathway configuration hinge upon the Ministry’s approval, as mandated by law, introducing some delays.
In light of these circumstances, the Town intends to implement measures to uphold private property rights. To this end, the Municipal Council will deliberate on a draft by-law prohibiting parking near former beach access points during its upcoming meeting on May 6th.
Furthermore, the Town will install signage to notify the public of the beach closure while concurrently promoting alternative visitor activities. Hudson boasts diverse tourism offerings and aims to showcase its attractions to all visitors.
Given the involvement of various partners, including the Ministry of the Environment, in the approval process for the new pathway, the Town cannot provide a specific reopening date for the beach at this time.
The Town expresses gratitude to the public for adhering to the new signage and for contributing to the preservation of this ecologically valuable site.
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Saturday, May 4, 2024
Saturday, May 4, 2024
