Who we are...
Renaissance Lac Brome (RLB) is a community association of citizens devoted to the conservation and improvement of Brome Lake. A not-for-profit organization, created under Part Three of the Quebec Companies Act, RLB was founded in February 2001, with a 10-member board of directors. All stakeholders of the watershed are invited to cooperate to make Brome Lake a place where people can enjoy their favourite activities without being concerned for their health.
The board of RLB has formed a number of committees with specific mandates:
- The Technical Committee monitors the lake, supervises studies, and initiates other projects, such as the study of sediments that have accumulated on the lake bottom. This committee is chaired by Peter Wade, with the assistance of Brian Gregory and other scientists living in the area who are up to date on the condition of the lake.
- The Fundraising Committee is headed by our president Peter White.
- Jacques Fournier is in charge of organizing local groups to monitor each sector of the watershed.
If you would like to be involved in any of our programs, do not hesitate to contact us at info@renaissancelbl.com. We need your help!
On August 17, 2006, for the first time ever, the Quebec Health Department, through its local health authority (Agence de la santé et des services sociaux de la Montérégie), issued a Public Health Advisory that effectively closed Brome Lake to most users because of high levels of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) and the resulting risk of toxins. A further notice was issued on December 21, 2006, warning against the use of water from the lake. These restrictions were finally lifted on May 2, 2007. Similar restrictions were imposed in 2006 on some 77 lakes in Quebec, including some 22 lakes south of the St. Lawrence River.
The Public Health Advisory of August 2006 stirred the community of Brome Lake into action. On October 14, 2006 RLB organized a public information meeting that attracted over 300 concerned citizens. Many issues were discussed with the representatives of the Ministry of the Environment, the Town of Brome Lake, and the University of Sherbrooke (engaged to take regular samples from the lake’s six tributaries). Following this meeting, Renaissance Lac Brome brought in a new board of directors, and devised a plan of action that was discussed with the municipal authorities in November 2006.
2008-2009 BOARD OF DIRECTORS (elected at the Annual General Meeting, May 24, 2008):
Peter WHITE, president
Pierre BEAUDOIN, secretary
Jacques FOURNIER, renaturalization, sectoral activities
Brian GREGORY, technical committee
Marc PELLETIER, communications
Francine DUCLOS-BEAUDOIN, technical committee (health)
Lisette PARENT, infractions
André CHARBONNEAU, renaturalization
Peter WADE, vice president, chair of technical committee
James WILKINS, treasurer
In addition to those responsible for the organization there are a number of individuals who have volunteered to be 'sector representatives'. Their responsibilities include updating members on issues of interest as well as recruiting new members.
 CLICK HERE to access a list of the sector representatives
Our Mission The primary mission of Renaissance Lac Brome is to ensure the best possible quality of water in Brome Lake and its tributaries.
To this end, RLB will work to ensure the best possible environmental practices to reduce the introduction of phosphates into the lake. Important measures include:
- Shorefront re-naturalization and re-vegetation
- Improvement of septic systems, both private and municipal
- Elimination of fertilizer use throughout the Brome Lake watershed
- Elimination of cleaning products containing phosphates, especially dishwasher detergents
RLB seeks to inform the public, the municipalities in the Brome Lake watershed, and the provincial government about the importance of taking immediate, concrete measures to stop the contamination of Brome Lake by phosphates, and to ensure that each of us does everything possible to keep the lake clear, clean, and safe for the health of its users. RLB designs and manages a number of scientific studies to monitor the condition of the lake and its tributaries.
Our History Renaissance Lac Brome officially came into existence in February 2001. Since that time, a number of steps have been taken particularly since the last episode of blue-green algae in August 2006. February 2001:
- Renaissance Lac Brome is founded as a duly constituted not-for-profit corporation, relying mainly on the work of active and dedicated volunteers.
June 2001:
- RLB organizes a community information meeting, attended by representatives from our organization, the Town of Brome Lake, and the Quebec Ministry of the Environment. The meeting attracts close to 300 participants, eager to learn more. The large attendance impresses the authorities, and convinces the Ministry of the environment to create a joint committee to involve stakeholders at various levels.
Fall 2001:
- Meeting for the formation of the joint committee, created at the instigation of the Ministry of the Environment. The committee consists of the Town of Brome Lake, the municipality of West Bolton (which includes about 75% of the watershed of Brome Lake), COGEBY (committee for the management of the Yamaska River watershed), the Ministry of the Environment, the Brome Lake Conservation Association, and naturally, Renaissance Lac Brome.
- Adoption of an action plan proposed to the committee by the minister of the environment.
- Establishment of a computerized list of the members of our association.
- Launch of a website to help us spread and receive information.
Since 2002, in partnership with the Town of Brome Lake and the University of Sherbrooke, RLB has been supervising a program to monitor the state of the lake and of its six tributaries. Systematic measurements are taken to establish the level of phosphorus, the temperature, the degree of oxygenation, the conductivity, and the pH of the water. These data allow us to set priorities. At the same time, RLB leads a program to measure the clarity of the water, by means of Secchi discs. The results of these studies are presented at the Annual General Meeting of members, in May of each year.
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