Currently, there are many uncontrolled dumpsites in MRC Pontiac public forests, where waste is illegally disposed of. There are discarded household waste, recyclables, appliances and furniture, and even construction waste. These photos were taken on October 8, 2019 on the Usborne/Picanoc road at km 31. They accurately show the extent of the problem.
In the past, 2 bins were managed by the MRC in this location to allow TNO users to discard their household waste. Despite posters indicating that only household garbage was accepted, continual disposal of non-household waste items forced the MRC to permanently close this site in 2017.
There is an alternative solution to illegal garbage dumps! Following an agreement signed between the municipality of Otter Lake and the MRC, TNO users in the townships served by the Picanoc road can dispose of their household waste at the municipal reception site (577 Hwy 301 North) for free. Still, the MRC spends thousands of dollars each year to clean this site. Since clean-up began in 2010, $60 000 has been spent and 100 tonnes of littered garbage has been collected at this location and there has been no improvement!
The same goes for TNO users travelling other main access roads of the TNO. TNO users in townships served by the Bois Franc road can go to the Mansfield-et-Pontefract reception site, those from Schyan road can go to Sheenboro and those using Rapides road can go to Rapides-des-Joachims.
Our natural environment is the wealth of the Pontiac – preserve it by bringing waste to authorized places!
Before cleaning
After cleaning
