Réserve faunique de Rimouski

Land-Use and Integrated Management

General presentation

Natural resource management on the territory of Réserve faunique de Rimouski is a responsibility of the government, more specifically of the Ministère de la Forêt, de la Faune et des Parcs (ministry of forests, wildlife, and parks, or MFFP) and the Ministère de l’Énergie et des ressources naturelles (ministry of energy and natural resources, or MERN). Given the specific nature of wildlife reserves, they were given a “multiple modulated" vocation under the government’s Plans d’affectation du territoire public régionaux (regional public land use plans, or RPLUP), a vocation defined as the “multipurpose use of land and resources, with procedures or rules adapted to specific environmental, landscape, cultural, social, or economic conditions” (our translation). In other words, the management and use of natural resources, including forests and wildlife, must be carried out in an integrated manner by the government, i.e. taking into account all resources on the territory as well as the legal vocation of conserving and showcasing the fauna of the wildlife reserve.

In this regard, the forest of Réserve faunique de Rimouski is exploited by designated holders of timber supply guarantees (DHTSG), i.e. forestry companies having a harvest agreement with the MFFP, based on forestry planning under the auspices of the MFFP since April 1, 2013. The Ministère is now in charge of developing tactical and operational integrated forest management plans (IFMP) at the scale of each management unit, taking into consideration, in particular, the allowable cut calculation carried out by the Chief Forester, work from local integrated resources tables and territory management tables (LIRTMT), the orientations and objectives pursued by the Government to the Regional Public Land Use Plans (PATP), the objectives of sustainable forest management as set out in the Law Sustainable Forest Management (LADTF), as well as the sustainable forest development objectives stipulated in the Sustainable Forest Development Act (SFDA). In the wake of this exercise, discussions are underway involving Sépaq, the MFFP, and representatives of forestry companies (DHTSG) aimed at integrating into forestry planning and interventions various measures or procedures designed to minimize conflicts of use and impacts on the wildlife and landscape, as well as on the environment in which recreational and wildlife-related activities are carried out in wildlife reserves.

In order to equip wildlife reserve managers in terms of integrated wildlife-forest-recreation forestry management and to guide the MFFP in harmonizing forestry planning for these unique territories so that the different types of forestry interventions are more predictable, better adapted, and more likely to help fulfil the particular vocation of wildlife reserves, Sépaq has carried out a number of so-called IRM (integrated resource management) projects.

Consult the list of completed projects (in French only)

Specific land-uses

Réserve faunique de Rimouski has set itself a goal of supporting the coming generation. It's being developed with a view to meeting the needs of young hunters and anglers.

Fishing. Managing for the Next Generation

A grassy fishing site has been specially set aside for young people near Lac Rimouski Registration Centre. Docks with guardrails allow children to fish safely. Equipment can be provided and technical advisors are always happy to pass on their fishing know-how to the youngsters.

Wading

Along Rivière Rimouski, many trails make it easy to access the river and fish while wading.

Introduction for the Next Generation

The reserve has a list of volunteer guides who are available to introduce new anglers to the basics of sport fishing.

Introduction of splake into Grand lac Kedgwick (which is suitable because of its depth and water quality). Splake do not compete with speckled trout. Increased longevity.

Hunting - Land-Use Management for Crossbow Hunters

Réserve faunique de Rimouski is a destination for many bow/crossbow hunters. Specific sectors have been specially set aside for them with special watchtowers, salt licks, and viewing areas for this activity.