Marking of Former Firing Range
Your safety is our priority!
Important Notice from the Department of National Defence concerning Lake Saint-Pierre
Between 1952 and 1999, the southern portion of Lake Saint-Pierre, prior to its designation by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, was used by the Department of National Defence (DND) as an impact area for reliability tests carried out by the Munitions Experimental Test Centre (METC) in Nicolet. Today, no munitions are being fired into the lake. However, shells are still being fired into stop butts; therefore, there remains a security perimeter around METC.
There are an estimated 300,000 projectiles of varying calibres lying on the lake bottom, a limited number of which still contain explosives. For your own safety, DND recommends that you avoid entering this area or coming in contact with the lake bed.
Notice
DND is committed to increasing the safety of local residents and visitors to the area around Lake Saint-Pierre. To better inform the public regarding the location of the former firing range CYR 606, DND installs 57 buoys in the southern part of Lake Saint-Pierre every year. These yellow buoys indicate that you are entering a potentially hazardous area. Some of the buoys are equipped with flashing lights, also yellow in colour, to make them easier to see at night. The buoys are installed each year at the beginning of the navigable season, in May or June, and are removed in the fall, in October or November.
Activities underway
The Department of National Defence is currently leading a risk mitigation project at Lake Saint-Pierre.
The work carried out as part of this project includes the requirements to ensure public safety and environmental protection. However, public support is essential in ensuring the safety of all.
Safety orders
Here are the steps to follow should you find a projectile:
- Do not touch it. Note the location and leave the area.
- Report the discovery without delay by contacting the Sûreté du Québec at 911 or 310-4141 (for municipalities outside the 911 service area) or at *4141 (cell phone).
The Department of National Defence is working towards a safe and healthy environment at Lake Saint-Pierre.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this notice, please contact us by email at: UXOCanada@forces.gc.ca
For more information: Visit our Web site Unexploded Explosive Ordnance (UXO)
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