Lambert Peat Moss Inc. wants to remove peat from areas such as this. (submitted photo/Miriam Körner)

By Derek Cornet

economic development

Opposition to peat moss mining gaining steam in tri-communities

Oct 6, 2020 | 3:31 PM

Hundreds of people have joined a Facebook group called For Peat’s Sake, which was launched by a group of tri-community residents opposed to plans for peat moss harvesting south of Air Ronge.

“This group has taken off like crazy,” said page administrator Miriam Körner. “It has so many members now and most of the people I don’t know. They are just people who are concerned who are joining the group and asking questions.”

The idea for the page came after Körner participated in Lambert Peat Moss Inc.’s online community engagement meeting Sept. 22. After she learned not many people had taken part, she and others concerned about Lambert’s project met Sept. 28 at Nut Point to share their thoughts.

Lambert has a proposed harvest area of 2,619 hectares in four clusters starting near the Napatak subdivision. In a letter to tri-community residents, the company noted the project has a timeline of 100 years from start to finish.

“We talked about what we needed to do and the first step we realized is we needed information, we need to understand what the role of muskegs are and what peat mining really means,” Körner said. “I have always been sort of drawn to muskegs because they are still an intact ecosystem. I’ve always been happy to have these places so close to my home and I don’t want to see them destroyed.”

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Körner also believes there are risks to mining peat moss like the loss of carbon sinks and an increased risk of forest fires.

Another member of the group who doesn’t want to see peat moss harvesting occur is Eleanor Hegland, who is widely known as an environmental protector and knowledge keeper. She explained the proposed area is rich in medicines and other harvestable plants, calling it a natural pharmacy.

“If you go to a muskeg that isn’t too wet, the muskeg pulls all the negative energy out of you and you can meditate,” Hegland said. “It’s hard to see that somebody wants to come and rip more of our culture away from us. That’s my beef. The plants that are in there are beautiful and help us to live a good life.”

Hegland doesn’t believe the area can be returned to its natural state once it’s disturbed and is concerned such projects will hamper local Indigenous Peoples from participating in traditional land-based activities.

She also wanted to remind residents such mining operations comes with increased carbon emissions, which is a driving factor in global warming.

“The ducks don’t even know when they should be headed south,” Helgand said. “We’re in a confused system right now. We can’t allow that. It’s just not feasible for them (Lambert) to come here.”

Residents can express feedback for the project on the company’s website here, or contact the Lac La Ronge Indian Band’s Lands and Resources Department or Jim Brady Local 19.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno