FALAISE ST- JACQUES
It is four kilometres long, sits in the middle of the city and is home to rare snakes, at least 65 species of birds and other wildlife. And yet the forested escarpment known as the falaise St- Jacques is easy to miss, in part because it is largely inaccessible. Plans to build adjacent paths for cyclists and walkers are welcome — but vigilance is required to safeguard its status as a protected green space.
Already there are concerns. The future of the falaise is inextricably linked to the massive construction project that runs alongside it. This consists of rebuilding the Turcot Interchange and reconfiguring railway tracks and Highway 20. There are fears that soil deposited at the work site might contain toxins harmful to the environment. The Sud- Ouest borough is sufficiently concerned to have asked Transport Quebec for evidence that the soil is safe. As well, activists say more than 150 trees were bulldozed this summer despite assurances they would not be.
When it comes to the use of soil and other construction materials, Transport Quebec insists it is following environmental guidelines set by the provincial government. It says the felled trees were always part of the plan, and blamed the confusion on a misunderstanding. In any case, it says, trees that are cut down will be replaced. The department has also taken welcome steps to protect the Dekay’s brown snakes — rare in Quebec — by moving them deeper into the falaise, away from the work site.
There are other questions, however. Plans call for walking and bicycle lanes to run along the bottom of the escarpment, and some people will want to get to them from St- Jacques St. Still needed are designated access points that would provide a way to get through the strip of businesses and allow people to descend to the lanes without unduly disturbing the forested surroundings. As well, while the bike path is meant to connect to the existing network — along the Lachine Canal, for example — there are no links to nearby Meadowbrook golf course or Angrignon Park.
The falaise St- Jacques is an important component of the Montreal landscape, a pocket of wilderness in the middle of a concrete jungle. Its location between Mount Royal and the Lachine Rapids make it a strategic spot for migrating birds. It is among 10 areas the city has designated as “eco- territories” — natural spaces “slated for priority protection and enhancement.” The work on the Turcot threatens the falaise if not done properly, but also presents an opportunity to give Montrealers access to a treasure most aren’t aware of.