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Environmental groups are once again turning to the court to protect La Prairie’s western chorus frog population.

Nature Québec and the Centre québécois du droit de l’environnement (CQDE) are seeking an injunction from the Federal Court requesting construction of a condo development in La Prairie be put on hold. They say the project would destroy an essential part of the frogs’ habitat.

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The action comes after the Federal Court’s decision last month Environment Canada had six months to re-evaluate its decision to reject the emergency decree requested by both environmental groups in 2013. The groups are requesting construction be halted until the final decision is rendered. Had the decree been issued, construction would have ceased.

After the court’s decision in June, the environmental groups sent cease and desist orders to the city of La Prairie and the developer, Quintcap, asking construction to stop, but never got a response.

The city of La Prairie and Quintcap have said they have no intention of stopping construction, adding the developer has obtained all the necessary permits and the court had not ordered construction to halt.

The first phase of the condo development is almost complete, and the second is set to begin in August or September.

The western chorus frog is Quebec’s smallest and most endangered frog species.

nlaflamme@montrealgazette.com

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