OBV SCABRIC
What is OBV SCABRIC?
OBV SCABRIC is a charitable, non-profit organization incorporated in 1993, dedicated to improving water and soil quality in the Châteauguay watersheds.
The adoption of the Politique nationale de l’eau (PNE) in November 2002 designated the Châteauguay River watershed as a priority and recognized the Société de conservation et d’aménagement du bassin de la rivière Châteauguay (SCABRIC) as the organization mandated to oversee the implementation of integrated watershed management (IWM) in the territory.
In 2009, the priority watershed concept was replaced by the Châteauguay Zone Integrated Watershed Management Zone Concept, and following the southern redistribution of Quebec, the SCABRIC OBV became the Châteauguay Zone watershed organization, covering 2,387 km2. Seven (7) watersheds were added to the Châteauguay River Zone. These include the Saint-Louis, La Guerre, Aux Saumons, Suzanne, Saint-Pierre, De la Tortue and Saint-Jacques rivers. In 2013, adjustments to watershed delimitations increased the size of the Châteauguay Zone to 2,410 km2. In 2013, adjustments to watershed delimitations increased the size of the Châteauguay Zone to 2,410 km2.
The Water Master Plan
This organization drew up the Water Master Plan (Plan Directeur de l’Eau, or PDE) at the request of the French Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP). This provides a portrait of the water situation on the territory. Based on available data, it is used to diagnose existing problems. It draws up and implements an action plan to resolve the issues identified, in order to:
- ensure access to sufficient quantities of high-quality drinking water;
- restore swimming access;
- maintain biodiversity in the region’s healthy waterways;
- apply water regulations openly throughout the Châteauguay zone.
In March 2011, OBV SCABRIC filed the Water Master Plan for the Châteauguay River watershed with the Ministère de l’Environnement, de la Lutte contre les Changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs (MELCCFP). In 2015, they submitted the Water Master Plan for the Châteauguay Zone. In 2024, a new version of the Water Master Plan was adopted by the Issue Table and submitted to the MELCCFP.
Our mission
Improving water and soil quality in Châteauguay watersheds.
Our expertise
- Providing education and information;
- Collaborating with the various activity sectors in the area;
- Raising public and stakeholder awareness on watershed management approach;
- Restoring, conserving, developing and protecting riverbanks, habitats and wetlands;
- Monitoring of regional, cross-border and national environmental issues.
Our vision
Through our expertise in the Chateauguay Integrated Water Management Zone, we aim to become the leader in the water sector by taking concrete, concerted action.
Our values
- Protection : To protect from harm, to preserve something, to defend it against danger, harm, risk.
- Concertation : The practice of consulting the parties concerned before making a decision.
- Communauté: A social group whose members live together or share common interests and assets. All living beings inhabiting a given environment (the biotope), interacting with each other and with this environment.
- Respect: A consideration for something that is believed to be good, with the intention of not tampering with it. Consideration given to something considered good, with the aim of not damaging it.
For consultation
1993
Following an event that brought together environmental, municipal, agricultural and industrial organizations, the Société de conservation et d’aménagement du bassin versant de la rivière Châteauguay officially became incorporated. Representatives of Ontario’s Conservations Authorities were invited to share their experiences.
Our mission at that time
Improving water and soil quality in the Châteauguay River watershed.
Our expertise
- Providing education and information;
- Collaborating with the various activity sectors in the area;
- Raising public and stakeholder awareness on watershed management approach;
- Restoring, conserving, developing and protecting riverbanks, habitats and wetlands;
- Monitoring of regional, cross-border and national environmental issues.
2002
The adoption of the National Water Policy (NWP) in November 2002 designated the Châteauguay River watershed as a priority and recognized the Société de conservation et d’aménagement du bassin de la rivière Châteauguay (SCABRIC) as the organization with the mandate to oversee the implementation of integrated watershed management (IWM) on the territory.
2006
OBV SCABRIC opens its kayak and canoe rental service in Sainte-Martine.
The OBV SCABRIC offices move to the 4th floor of 624, rue Notre-Dame, in Saint-Chrysostome.
2008
L’OBV SCABRIC réalise sa neuvième et dernière édition 100 % SCABRIC du Canot d’Août sur la rivière Châteauguay, une balade familiale de 20 km sur la rivière Châteauguay, entre Ormstown et Sainte-Martine.
2009
In 2009, with the adoption of the Loi affirmant le caractère collectif des ressources en eau et visant à renforcer leur protection (L.R.Q., c.C-6.2), the concept of priority watershed was replaced by that of Integrated Water Management Area by Watershed. As a result of the southern redrawing of Quebec’s boundaries enshrined in this Water Act, the SCABRIC became one of 40 watershed organizations (OBV), that of the Châteauguay Zone, which covered 2,387 km2. Seven (7) watersheds were added to the Châteauguay River watershed, namely: the Saint-Louis, La Guerre, Aux Saumons, Suzanne, Saint-Régis, De la Tortue and Saint-Jacques rivers.
At the request of the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC), the organization has drawn up the Plan directeur de l’eau, or Water Master Plan (WMP). This outlines the water situation on the territory, uses available data to diagnose current problems, and develops and implements an action plan with water stakeholders to resolve the issues identified. At the time, the WMP was intended to ensure access to sufficient quantities of quality drinking water, to restore swimming in the Châteauguay River and to maintain biodiversity in the Châteauguay River watershed.
2011
In March 2011, SCABRIC submitted the water master plan for the Châteauguay River watershed to the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC).
This Water Master Plan (WMP) is composed of three (3) elements:
- overview of the Châteauguay River watershed;
- diagnosis of the Châteauguay River watershed based on the elements presented in the overview and consultations;
- Châteauguay River watershed action plan to guide the resolution of the issues identified in the diagnosis and to achieve, in the long term, the wishes expressed by the population about the Châteauguay River and the territory of its watershed.
2012
In November 2012, the SCABRIC OBV received certification from the MDDELCC confirming government approval of the first Water Master Plan (WMP), and was required to draw up a Water Master Plan for the entire Châteauguay Zone, integrating the 7 new watersheds added to its territory during the 2009 rezoning of the Châteauguay River, thus creating the Châteauguay Zone territory.
2013
The MDDELCC transmits new boundaries for the Châteauguay Zone to the OBV SCABRIC. The SCABRIC OBV’s jurisdiction has been increased to 2,410 km2.
2015
The Châteauguay Zone Water Master Plan (WMP) was submitted to the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la lutte contre les changements climatiques (MDDELCC) on January 14, 2015.
The SCABRIC OBV holds its first États généraux de l’eau on Île Saint-Bernard in Châteauguay.
The OBV SCABRIC adopts a 2015-2025 strategic plan that aims to improve communications, diversify its sources of revenue by offering water-related services, and increase the organization of events for its main target audiences: the agricultural community, municipalities, schools and riverside residents.
2016
The Châteauguay Zone Water Master Plan (WMP) is granted government certification, signed by the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Climate Change (MDDELCC) on January 25, 2016.
2017
OBV SCABRIC holds its second États généraux de l’eau in Saint-Isidore on the theme of the agro-environment.
OBV SCABRIC begins the adaptation process to water-related climate change in the Saint-Régis River watershed.
OBV SCABRIC moves to 1, rue du Pont in Sainte-Martine.
Launch of the new OBV SCABRIC website.
2018
OBV SCABRIC starts its agri-environmental support project in the Saint-Régis River watershed (2018-2022).
2019
OBV SCABRIC publishes updated WMP priorities.
2020
OBV SCABRIC carries out its shoreline stabilization showcase project in Saint-Constant.
2021
OBV SCABRIC launches its agri-environmental support project in the Saint-Louis River watershed (2021-2025).
2022
OBV SCABRIC launches its agri-environmental support project in the Saint-Pierre River watershed (2022-2025).
2023
Nomination of a new general manager for OBV SCABRIC.
OBV SCABRIC launches its agri-environmental support project for efficient use of groundwater in agricultural areas in the Saint-Rémi sector (2023-2024).
For more information!
If you have any questions about the rivers or the various projects of the OBV SCABRIC, don’t hesitate to contact us at 450 427-0911 or by e-mail at info@scabric.ca. We’ll be delighted to answer all your questions.
