Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aire protégée
Assinica
The Gouvernement du Québec approved the designation of the Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aire protégée Assinica following the submission in the fall of 2020 of a joint brief from the Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks. The legally protected status contemplated for this territory is that of a “biodiversity reserve,” which is governed by the Natural Heritage Conservation Act.
Geographical location, boundaries and dimensions
- Location: Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Nord-du-Québec
- Natural province: Mistassini Highlands (G)
- Natural regions: Upper Rupert Plateau (G03); Chibougamau Depression (G02)
- Territorial zone represented: Chibougamau Boggy Plain (Z_G01)
- Area: 549 km2
- Map (
PDF,
320 Kb)
Brief description
The Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aire protégée Assinica enhances the configuration of the territories already included in the Réserve de parc national Assinica and the Réserve de biodiversité projetée Assinica, which will foster their long-term integrity. The territory encompasses part of the distribution area of the Assinica woodland caribou population. Its designation falls within the framework of the measures aimed at protecting sensitive habitats for the long-term maintenance of this population. What is more, the Réserve de territoire aux fins d’aire protégée Assinica includes sectors that could be proposed for the potential expansion of the future Parc national Assinica.
Protection measures applied in the territory
No natural resource exploration or exploitation activity (mining, energy and forests) is allowed in the territory of the territorial reserve for protected area purposes. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister of Forests, Wildlife and Parks will ensure the maintenance of the administrative and legal provisions that their prohibition requires.
