The Larose Forest will gain 49 more acres through a land swap arrangement.
On January 28, United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) Council agreed to let the arrangement proceed which will transfer land currently part of the forest to a residential developer in return for another parcel of private land already within the boundaries of the UCPR-owned and managed forest.
According to a report prepared by Director of Planning and Forestry Louis Prévost, the proposal involves the UCPR receiving 59 acres of forested land in return for 10 acres located on Des Pins Road, east of the village of Limoges. This exchange would allow for the creation of four new residential lots on the 10-acre parcel being transferred, while increasing the forested area managed by the UCPR by a net 49 acres.
For several years, the UCPR has pursued a strategy of acquiring land to consolidate the central core of the forest, with the objective of conservation, sustainable management, and reducing fragmentation of the forest cover. The 49-acre property targeted by this proposal is one of the last remaining privately owned vacant parcels located in the heart of the forest. The United Counties have attempted on multiple occasions in past years to acquire this land directly, but without success. The land exchange now being proposed represents a strategic opportunity to complete a significant portion of the forest block consolidation. In 2023, council approved a similar proposal from the same developer.
Prevost’s report explained the proposal offers the opportunity to eliminate one of the final private enclaves within the central forest area, thereby strengthening the ecological and operational integrity of the forest block.
