Wetlands
Wetlands are known to be among the richest ecosystems in the world. In Quebec, they occupy 12.5% of the territory and serve a panoply of ecological purposes:
- Functioning as natural retention basins to help flood regulation
- Filtering and purifying surface water and groundwater
- Protecting shores by providing a buffer zone for coastal regions
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)
Shorelines
Shorelines are essential to the health of lakes and rivers. Among other things, they filter water from run-offs, check the proliferation of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria), curb erosion, stabilize soil and promote the development of diversified flora and fauna. So, it is important to maintain a natural and healthy shoreline.
The shoreline protection strip in Chelsea is 15 meters from the high water mark. Activities and constructions within this shoreline protection strip are limited, please consult our Zoning by-law for more information.
Here are a few simple actions to help keep your shoreline healthy and natural:
- Stop garden maintenance (mowing, clearing) along the shoreline to allow native vegetation to (re) grow and
- Revegetate the shoreline by buying native herbaceous plants, shrubs and woody vegetation
FIHOQ - la Fédération interdisciplinaire de l’horticulture ornementale du Québec - Végétalisation des bandes riveraines (French only)
Bandes riveraines. Plantation et entretien d’une bande riveraine (French only)
Ottawa Riverkeep - Publications
Ottawa Riverkeeper - Shoreline naturalization
Permit
Any person wishing to develop, build, modify, or repair any structure located on or near waterfront or on the shore of any waterway or lake, or in a wetland area must first obtain a certificate of authorization to this effect.
A certificate of authorization is not required when work is limited to restoring vegetation without recourse to excavation, dredging, grading, backfilling, or any other similar work.
Details
- Consult section 4.5 of the by-law respecting permits and certificates
The natural high water mark is determined using botanical and physical factors.
This line indicates the area where the water is at its highest over two years and is used by the MRC des Collines and the Municipality of Chelsea to apply by-laws.
For more information on the criteria that can be used to determine the location of the NHWM, you can consult the list of the main botanical and physical indicators of the natural high water mark.
Any person wishing to develop, build, modify, or repair any structure located on or near waterfront or on the shore of any waterway or lake, or in a wetland area must first obtain a certificate of authorization to this effect.
A certificate of authorization is not required when work is limited to restoring vegetation without recourse to excavation, dredging, grading, backfilling, or any other similar work.
For details, consult section 4.5 of the by-law respecting permits and certificates.
Other regulation
It is possible to have acquired rights recognized for certain buildings or structures that are now derogatory but which were built before the entry into force of regulations prohibiting them.
To do so, you must complete the application for recognition of vested rights and send your request to the Planning and Sustainable Development Department.
H2O Program - Surface water
The surface water initiative is to analyze the water quality of Meech, Kingsmere and Beamish Lakes, Meech and Chelsea Creeks and Gatineau River. Sampling is done once a month by volunteers who are Chelsea residents and the municipality’s Environment Department staff.
A water quality report is produced biannually. Various factors are analyzed and compiled for the environmental monitoring of these water bodies.
Prior reports summarizing historical data (French only)
Archives
The Municipality keeps archive documents on its website for a period of two years. Following this period, residents who wish to consult or obtain a copy of documents that are more than two years old may make an information access request.
This page was last updated on March 14, 2023
Information
Environment Department
