Organization
Since 2014, the Parc régional des Grandes-Rivières du lac Saint-Jean has been engaged in planning, managing and developing lands designated by the MRC de Maria-Chapdelaine for recreation and tourism. Backed by a community determined to buildon Québec’s wilderness potential, the park’s management body (Société de gestion) is governed by a board of directors made up of local representatives from various spheres of civil society.
Mandate
On behalf of the people of the MRC de Maria- Chapdelaine, the Parc régional des Grandes-Rivières du lac Saint-Jean develops public lands for recreation and tourism, in a sustainable development context, promoting regional dialogue on the multifunctional use of the land and its resources.
Values
The values of the Regional Park are vital to the success of its mission. In addition, they guide the conduct of the Regional Park’s managers, who seek to share them with its partners. These values are :
• savety
• quality of the visitor’s experience
• dialogue
• integrity
• sustainable development
History
2005
- The MRC de Maria-Chapdelaine informs the Québec government of its intention to create a regional park
- Initial development of fragmented Regional Park.
2013
- Public consultations on the future of tourism within the territory of MRC
de Maria-Chapdelaine: big rivers and snowmobiling are prioritized
2014
- Creation of the Regional Park’s management body, the Société de gestion du Parc régional des Grandes-Rivières de la MRC de Maria-Chapdelaine
- Adoption of master plan (Plan directeur du Parc régional des Grandes-Rivières)
- The fragmented Regional Park becomes the Parc régional des Grandes-Rivières du lac Saint-Jean
2015
- Management delegation protocol between the MRC de Maria-Chapdelaine and the Société de gestion
2016
- Québec government approves hydroelectric miniplant project on the eleventh falls of the Mistassini River
- Construction begins on the Passerelle du 49e recreational vehicle trail
2018
- Québec’s premier officially opens the Passerelle du 49e quad and snowmobile circuit, a tourist route
Territory
Located northwest of Lake Saint-Jean, the MRC de Maria-Chapdelaine covers 40,000 square kilometres, an area nearly the size of Switzerland. In biophysical terms, the MRC is characterized by wide stretches of forest on agricultural plains and an outstanding hydrographic network comprising more than 8,000 lakes and some of the foremost rivers of the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region.
Numbering some 25,000, the population is concentrated in the southern part of the region, in the towns of Dolbeau-Mistassini and Normandin. Ten rural communities make up the rest of the municipal sphere. The MRC also covers vast tracts of forest, primarily located on public lands.
Partners
