Councillors are concerned about the environmental effects of a peat moss-harvesting project proposed north of Plamondon.
Sun Gro Horticulture Canada Ltd.’s planned project would use 900 acres of land, a majority of which is bog-land, in phases over a 20-year period. The company would use vacuums, dragged behind tractors, to drain some bog water and then take some of the moss.
Councillors were concerned because they only found out about the project after seeing a public notice in the Post. After reviewing the proposal, they said they’re worried about proposed tree clearing and draining the water. They voiced these worries to Alberta Environment on Oct.18.
“With the increase in wildfires in the past few fire seasons, we are very apprehensive about the lands potentially causing vulnerability for wildfires in dry grass conditions resulting from the water drainage in the area,” stated the letter.
But project spokesman Dan Ward says there will be no damaging effects to the environment, and compared it to a farming operation.
“It’s a pretty simple operation, there’s really no by-product that affects the environment,” said Ward, adding that people are usually opposed for a different reason. “Usually it’s just ‘not in my backyard’ type of thing.”
During the project, the water drained from the bog — which is naturally acidic — would not be simply dumped into adjacent water bodies; it will first be filtered, he said.
And in the long run, the environment is expected to rebound. The company is only interested in two species of moss that are used in horticulture, and by law, they have to leave enough moss so that the wetland or bog can regenerate and be functional.
“We have to demonstrate reclamation to equal land capability,” Ward said. “Over about a five year period, the wetland or the peat-land will start to re-grow and re-vegetate itself.”
The project has been submitted for review and before it can start it has to be approved by Sustainable Resource Development, Alberta Environment, Fisheries and Oceans and Fish and Wildlife departments, Ward said. They would also have to negotiate with local First Nations. It could take another year until the project is underway.
“We’re not trying to hide anything, we’re jumping through the same hoops as everybody else,” he said.
The moss harvested will be most likely be shipped to the United States and used for horticulture, such as growing vegetables.
“If you add a little bit of peat moss with your top soil mix it helps hold moisture in the soil so it doesn’t require as much watering,” Ward explained, adding that it does not add much nutrients.
