A dispute is brewing in Quebec’s Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region as residents raise concerns about the environmental impact of expanding blueberry farms. Driven by increasing demand for the popular berry – the region harvested 102 million pounds in 2023 – agricultural land conversion is prompting fears of water contamination and habitat loss among lakeside residents.The situation highlights a familiar tension between economic advancement and environmental protection in a rapidly changing landscape.
Residents along a lake in Quebec are raising concerns about the expansion of blueberry farming in the area, fearing potential contamination of their drinking water and damage to the local ecosystem. The growing agricultural activity is prompting questions about balancing economic development with environmental protection in the region.
Yves Bonneau, a local resident, explained that recent land sales have led to deforestation as farmers clear land for blueberry cultivation. “In recent weeks, those of us who live along the lake have realized we are surrounded by farmland,” Bonneau said. “One of the properties was recently sold and the forest was cleared for blueberries. I’m not the only one worried, because the farming could contaminate the aquifer, which supplies drinking water to about 40 cottages, with pesticides.”
Bonneau and other residents believe local authorities should have intervened to require environmental impact studies before approving the project. They also expressed concern about the destruction of wetlands and the displacement of wildlife in the forested area.
“It’s alarming to see deforestation getting closer to our homes,” said Dany Hébert, another resident. “It’s also disheartening for the recreational tourism development of the area.”
The concerns come as other blueberry and cranberry farms are being developed in the region, leading residents to question the extent of future agricultural expansion. The situation highlights a growing tension between agricultural interests and the preservation of natural resources.
Officials Respond
Jean Morency, prefect of the Maria-Chapdelaine Regional County Municipality (MRC), acknowledged residents’ concerns but emphasized the importance of the blueberry industry to the local economy. “The territory is zoned for agricultural use, and producers have the right to cultivate their land while respecting environmental constraints,” he said.
Dolbeau-Mistassini Mayor Rémi Rousseau assured residents that the blueberry farm operators have all the necessary permits and are adhering to regulations. “We will ensure that the regulations are respected,” he stated.
The city of Dolbeau-Mistassini recently sent a message to residents, stating that while cottage development has increased in the area, agricultural activities remain a priority.
To foster better communication, Morency proposed reactivating a local advisory committee “to improve common understanding” among stakeholders.
‘Developing as Good Neighbors’
The property in question is located at the corner of Vauvert Road and Pointe Street in the Vauvert sector on the lake in Dolbeau-Mistassini, an area already home to several blueberry farms and potato producers.
The previous owner had already developed part of the land for blueberry cultivation before selling it to three entrepreneurs: Dany Gaudreault, Pierre-Luc Villeneuve, and Rémi Mathieu.
The new owners cleared approximately 50 acres of forest to expand the blueberry farm, but they sold off an 8-acre parcel. “We wanted to facilitate good neighborliness,” said Rémi Mathieu, adding that their permit would have allowed them to convert the entire property to blueberry production.
As a result, the land on the other side of the stream will remain untouched. The developers also agreed to maintain a 20-meter buffer zone along the shoreline, following the natural contours of the land, to limit runoff – exceeding the standard agricultural requirement of three meters. “We respect all the standards and are doing even better,” noted Dany Gaudreault.
A Relatively Safe Crop
“Blueberry production requires fewer fertilizers and pesticides compared to other crops like potatoes, corn, or large-scale agriculture,” said Pierre-Olivier Martel, an agronomist and fruit horticulture specialist at the Quebec Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPAQ).
Regarding the risk of water contamination, a product called hexazinone is a concern, as it is water-soluble and degrades slowly in the soil. “It’s a product that can leach into and be found in the aquifer,” Martel noted.
A sampling campaign was conducted from 2002 to 2009 to quantify levels of the product in drinking water sources near blueberry farms. While the permissible limit is 400 mg/l, analyses detected quantities of 0.3 mg/l. “That’s close to the limit of what we can detect,” commented Pierre-Olivier Martel. New sampling conducted in 2022 revealed similar levels.
“Even though we would prefer there to be none at all, there is no risk to human health,” Martel concluded, adding that projects are underway to develop new, lower-risk alternatives.
