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--- start [2021/07/15 08:40] – cseligy
+++ start [2021/07/16 20:10] (current) – poohbah
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 Signs were posted on certain trails along the stretch of Notch road between chemin de la Mine and chemin Dunn announcing that unofficial trails would soon be closed and then naturalized. Despite the claim that this will "enhance the offer of recreational experiences for all users" this will have a severe impact on local residents and their health and quality of life by restricting their ability to access the Gatineau Park trail network. The Notch Trails Group is dedicated to ensuring that local residents can continue to enjoy the health and wellness benefits of the Gatineau Park Trail system while minimizing the dependence on motorized transportation to reach trail access points.
-{{ :ncc_sign_july_13_2021.jpg?direct&400 |}}
+{{ start:ncc_sign_july_13_2021.jpg?direct&400 |}}
 ===== How You Can Help =====
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 Talk to your neighbours, and use the link at the top of this page to refer them to this group so that they can become part of the solution too.
-If anyone of you can translate this page into French that would be a real help.
+[[private-area|Enter Private Area]]
-===== Building Our Case =====
-As a precursor to negotiating with the NCC we need to address some of the assumptions implied in the NCC signage.
-==== Public Consultations Were Not Carried Out ====
-Why is it that the NCC can pay someone to put up numerous signs announcing impending trail closures but not a single sign was posted regarding any public consultations? Which members of the public did they consult? By ignoring the very people who have been the eyes and ears in the affected corner of Gatineau Park they missed an opportunity to base their policies on the most relevant information.
-==== Unofficial Trails and Responsible Trail Management are not Mutually Exclusive ====
-The notion that the existence of unofficial trails might be at odds with responsible trail management is clearly unfounded. Many unofficial trails have existed for decades and some lie on old road beds that existed even before the creation of Gatineau Park. Local residents current and past have kept these trails free of garbage and debris and kept erosion to a minimum. Before the NCC cut trees along what is now official trail #79 many sections of the trail were actually narrower than they were 10 or 20 years ago as the forest gradually grew back along the edges of the old road beds. Since the clearing was done some sections of the trail have become as much as 5 times wider than they were prior and erosion has accelerated as a result. This is exacerbated by the fact that the NCC has chosen to promote mountain biking as the primary use of the new official trail which has a much higher impact than walking, running, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing.
-==== Naturalizing the Trail Will Not Protect Sensitive Habitats ====
-The proposed sections of trail to be closed lie almost entirely in a red pine plantation on an area that was once cleared farmland, along side what is now one of the busiest roads in Chelsea. It is not a diverse habitat for either plants or wildlife. This is not the case for areas that are farther away from Notch road where there is much more diversity. On the other hand, creating a new official trail has resulted in increased numbers of people using the larger loop that is now trail #79 and will surely have an impact. Motor vehicles and associated emissions have a large impact on the environment but by closing local trails that adjoin with trail #79 some people who might otherwise walk, run, ski or bike to access the trail may choose to drive instead to the nearest official parking spot. This would be an unfortunate unintended consequence in an era where climate change concerns are significant.
-==== The Recreational Experience for All Users Will Not be Enhanced ====
-It is obvious that the recreational experience of anyone using the existing unofficial trails can only be negatively affected were those trails to be shut down. For many of us regular excursions into Gatineau Park play a large part in maintaining both physical and mental health and the even the thought that the proposed changes might proceed is distressing.
-==== You Won't Keep People Out Anyway ====
-It is naive at best to think that naturalizing existing access networks will stop people from accessing trail #79 from parts of Notch road that lie north of the Notch/Mine intersection. The likely outcome is that a whole new set of access points will sprout up and other as-yet untouched sections of the forest will be trampled as a result.
-===== Next Steps =====
-Here's a list of next steps:
-  - Reach out to anyone you know who may be affected or just want to help but is not already on the list
-  - Have an outdoor meeting/brainstorming session to discuss talking points and strategies (Chris can host on Bronson if need be)
-  - Reach out to other groups who have also wrestled with the NCC (Chris has reached out to the National Capital Open Water Swimmers Alliance but not had a response yet)
-  - Contact the NCC's ombudsman, Oriana Trombetti (Chris will attempt to contact)
-  - Contact local media (Low Down, CBC, Ottawa Citizen etc.)