By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
The recent removal of shoreline vegetation around Lake Davignon in Cowansville has ignited a debate between environmental advocates and the municipal government, highlighting the challenges of balancing environmental protection with urban development.
The environmental advocates’ perspective
The Comité de sauvegarde du bassin versant du lac Davignon (CSBVLD), a local non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the lake’s ecosystem, issued a press release July 31 expressing strong concerns about the removal of trees and other vegetation along the lake’s shoreline.
According to Pierre St-Arnault, president of the CSBVLD, these activities pose a significant threat to the lake’s ecological integrity. “In 2024, it is alarming to see such work being authorized in a riparian zone,” St-Arnault remarked in the release. He emphasized the critical role that natural vegetation plays in filtering contaminants and maintaining water quality, as well as providing essential habitat for aquatic wildlife.
The CSBVLD’s statement underscored the perceived contradiction between the City’s recent protection plan for Lake Davignon and the issuance of permits allowing extensive clearing of the shoreline. The organization highlighted that the removal of trees and shrubs not only undermines the filtration of pollutants but also increases water temperatures by removing shade, potentially disrupting the aquatic ecosystem. They called for a thorough review of the permit issuance process to ensure stricter regulations that align with the lake’s conservation goals.
