They lose access to their chalet due to forestry work

A couple in their sixties from Saguenay has no longer had access to their chalet for almost a month due to forestry work. The couple denounces that the path to get there has been completely ravaged by machinery.

The path that Henri-Paul and Chantale have been taking for 14 years to get to their second home is no longer what it used to be, they noticed when they tried to get to their chalet for the first time on May 22.

“It was not passable, not even by four-wheeler, nor on foot. We turned around, we went down to the barrier. When I arrived at the barrier, I met the president of the ZEC, I mentioned the facts to him and he replied that ten (chalets) have the same problem as us. He suggested that I go see the Petit-Paris forester at the office in Saint-Ludger-de-Milot. I surrendered. They sent me a photo of the area they were going to burn. When I told them they broke my way, they said they didn’t know there was a cabin there. He told me we are going to remedy that, we are going to redo the path, you have priority,” says the co-owner of the chalet, Henri-Paul Lépine.

Still not completed

A month later, fixes have been made but the path remains in a pitiful state.

“We went up last week on foot. We traveled 0.9 kilometers by truck. We have about 2.5 kilometers to go to the chalet, it was not done. It was mush. We don’t mind if they collect the wood. But at least our path, they could have left it as it was,” continues his partner, Chantale St-Gelais.

The couple says they fear for their safety

“The path is not accessible on mud like that, when it is wet there. There is no trailer going up there either. What if I have to go out quickly because of a forest fire or illness. My wife has a heart condition and I am losing my autonomy. I ask them if they would like to be in my position,” said Mr. Lépine.

Current steps

The leaders of the ZEC confirm that they are not responsible for this situation. The forestry cooperative assures that it complies with the standards and says it is continuing its work to restore the path to good condition. She says she respects the deadlines, which could extend until mid-July.

“When I asked if there would be compensation, I was told: ‘why?’ I would like to receive the loss of use for access to my chalet. The maintenance of my chalet which has not yet been done, we are now in June. I have just lost a month and if this continues, I will lose another half of the month of July,” laments Henri-Paul Lépine.

The ministry has still not responded to our interview request. As for those in their sixties, they are still waiting for answers and intend to take legal action.