These four red areas are part of the La Ronge Peat Moss Project. (submitted photo/Ministry of Environment)

By Derek Cornet

Economic Activity

Residents receive letter about Lambert peat moss project near La Ronge

Sep 4, 2020 | 5:30 PM

Lambert Peat Moss Inc. has sent a letter to residents of the tri-communities outlining plans for extraction.

The letter shows four sections of land where Lambert is proposing to harvest peat for the production of horticulture projects located south of town. Cluster three is located about 15 kilometres south and contains five potential harvestable areas covering a development area 557 hectares.

Cluster four is located about 34 kilometres southwest of La Ronge and includes six potential harvesting areas with a development area of 342 hectares. Cluster 10 is 43 kilometres south of La Ronge, has four potential harvestable areas and has a development area of 381 hectares. Cluster 11 is located 62 kilometres southeast of La Ronge, has two potential areas and covers 542 hectares.

“Currently the project has a timeline of 100 years from start to finish,” the letter states. “It is important to note that an entire area is not all harvested at once. Rather, small areas are harvested and then reclaimed as the next area would be harvested.”

The letter outlines several steps involved in harvesting peat moss including development planning, citing of infrastructure and drainage network design, construction or upgrades on access roads, site preparation with tree cutting and vegetation mulching, construction of staging areas, drainage network construction and maintenance, as well as internal bog road construction, maintenance and temporary peat stockpile areas.

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It also calls for peat harvesting and field harrowing, peat transportation to a processing and packaging facility, progressive reclamation of peat fields, decommissioning and restoration, and follow up monitoring.

“Lambert has developed procedures that increase peat productivity, while reducing the potential effects on the environment,” the letter notes. “Lambert will implement a progressive restoration process that will aim at restoring peat fields soon after they are no longer needed for the project.”

The letter goes on to explain after peat has been harvested to capacity, a 50 centimetre of peat is left in place, so there is adequate material to aid in restoration. Once the project is finished, all development will be removed.

“The restoration plan will aim to re-establish vegetation cover and restore the movement and distribution of water that will lead to the return of peatland natural state,” the letter states.

In an email, the Ministry of Environment notes the proposed harvesting area is a total of 2,619 hectares. It mentioned Lambert is currently conducting environmental studies and undertaking engagement and consultation activities that are required to inform the preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS).

“Once an EIS is received by the Ministry of Environment, it will undergo technical review by the Saskatchewan Environmental Assessment Review Panel prior to being released for the public review and comment period,” the email states.

larongeNOW reached out Lambert for comment, but was denied an interview request.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno