Midge Minnes, whose family has owned the Eco Echo property since 1974, said she is shocked that La Pêche might expropriate the land for an industrial park.Midge Minnes, whose family has owned the Eco Echo property since 1974, said she is shocked that La Pêche might expropriate the land for an industrial park. (CBC)

Supporters of a farm-like environmental preserve near the village of Wakefield in the municipality of La Pêche, Que., are upset over a proposal to develop part of the land as an industrial park.

La Pêche has ordered an engineering survey of the land, which has been in Midge Minnes's family since 1974. Minnes was saddened to hear that the municipality could expropriate part of the land, which is about 35 kilometres north of Ottawa.

"It was quite a shock to find out. It means the front half of the property would be taken up, and that doesn't really leave too much open field after that," she said.

The general manager of La Pêche said the municipality needs the new jobs, services and taxes that come with an industrial park.

Paul Brown, who lives near the environmental preserve, said there were plans to plant fruit trees on the property.Paul Brown, who lives near the environmental preserve, said there were plans to plant fruit trees on the property. (CBC)

Charles Ricard said the first step is getting the land surveyed and evaluated. Then an offer could be made to the Minnes family. He said expropriation would be the last option.

People who live in the area are upset because the 65-hectare property has been a popular environment preserve called Eco Echo, which leases the land from the Minnes family.

"If people were given the choice [between] Eco Echo and this alternative industrial park, which we know very little about, I think the choice would be very clear for most people who live in La Pêche and Wakefield that Eco Echo provides a much more substantial vision," said Paul Brown, who lives nearby.

Brown and other neighbours are part of an orchard co-operative. Last fall, they plowed the land in preparation to plant apples, pears and even kiwi fruit this spring.

Other plans for the property included an outdoor amphitheatre, and a summer camp. But Brown said some of the plans are in jeopardy now that the municipality is looking at developing an industrial park on about a third of the land.