Residents of Saint-Télesphore, Saint-Polycarpe, Rivière-Beaudette and surrounding areas were relieved to learn that the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges announced on Wednesday that it would not be purchasing the land for its regional composting platform project.

The news was greeted with a round of applause from the citizens involved, who had been calling for a change of site for several weeks.

The citizens' group, which has been mobilizing in large numbers since the announcement of the project in Saint-Télesphore, reacted to the news. "We are extremely relieved and proud to finally have the support of our municipality. We have worked hard to protect a jewel of nature, our esker. To all those who have supported our efforts, citizens, councillors and mayors alike: THANK YOU," he says. 

Last September, the MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges announced that it had begun the process of purchasing two lots on Chemin Saint-Antoine, in Saint-Télesphore, for its regional composting facility. 

The news caused quite a stir among the citizens of Saint-Télesphore and the surrounding area, not least because the sites coveted by the MRC are located above a major source of drinking water.

In a press release, the Vaudreuil-Soulanges MRC confirmed the news. The regional body points out that it had made a commitment to citizens to obtain environmental notices concerning the aforementioned land. Following receipt of preliminary notices concerning sensitive environmental and wildlife environments, the land does not meet the requirements for such a project, as it is considered a highly vulnerable site.The MRC has also decided to cancel the information session scheduled for November 29 at the Centre socioculturel de Très-Saint-Rédempteur.

"I would like to remind you that the site of the MRC's regional composting platform project was determined in a spirit of collaboration with the municipality of Saint-Télesphore.I would like to thank David McKay, mayor of Saint-Télesphore, and his council for welcoming the project proposal and listening to the population," says Patrick Bousez, MRC prefect and mayor of Rivière-Beaudette.

"The MRC de Vaudreuil-Soulanges remains concerned about environmental issues and the implementation of our existing policies. As a community, we have a responsibility to prioritize the sound management of our residual materials, in keeping with the major environmental challenges we face. This project is essential for us and for future generations."

At the public meeting on November 22, the prefect reached out to the population in attendance to maintain their support for the future composting platform project, which remains crucial to the Vaudreuil-Soulanges community.

The population responded in the affirmative, asking that the MRC and its elected representatives collaborate to protect groundwater."This collaboration between the population and the MRC will certainly be positive for the future, including the planning of the construction of a composting platform in the region," adds the prefect.