Opposition continues to grow against a proposed peat moss development near La Ronge.
Quebec-based Lambert Peat Moss is proposing to harvest the moss from four cluster areas south of that community.
The life-span of the project would be 80 years and employ 25 people.
A petition to the Legislature is calling on the provincial government to reject the proposed development.
“Many local residents, hunters, trappers and traditional land users are opposed to the proposed peat moss mine and are concerned about the potential for damage to habitats, including critical habitat for woodland caribou, trap lines and drinking water sources as well as climate impacts,” said Saskatoon Nutana MLA Erika Ritchie.
Ritchie said more than 20,000 people have signed an online petition seeking to halt the project.
In April, the Lac La Ronge Indian Band publicly stated its opposition to the project, citing environmental impact concerns. “Lambert’s proposed site clearing would include the removal of all trees, brush, stumps, or other obstacles laying within the development areas,” said Chief and Council.
Drainage of the harvest site would take years to complete. There is concern the drainage would negatively impact fish and wildlife habitat.
“The drainage of wetlands will have a harmful impact to fish and wildlife habitat including Woodland Caribou,” explained the First Nation. “The proposed roads and potential harvest locations will interfere with the traditional uses of land resources such as the gathering of food and plants used for medicinal purposes.”