First Nation seeks to curb Interlake peat mining

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This article was published 05/12/2016 (3445 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

An injunction sought against the province and a multinational corporation could stall peat mining and resource development in the Interlake.

Court documents filed in October show Fisher River Cree Nation is seeking to halt further development by Sunterra Horticulture of its peat mining operation around Beaver Creek, located along the northwest side of Lake Winnipeg.

The First Nation charges in the documents that further development of the land by Sunterra will cause “irreparable damage,” deplete the moose population and affect the health of Lake Winnipeg.

“In terms of environmental impact, it (the mining) will have a long-lasting effect on Lake Winnipeg, it will have an impact on the fisheries, wildlife population, basically it destroys habitat when they do these types of developments,” Fisher River Chief David Crate told the Free Press.

“For example, once peat mining is completed on a section, it is estimated it will take well over 100 years for the habitat to recover.”

Fisher River is also seeking to prevent future environmental licences being granted in the east Interlake area until the province properly consults First Nations about the developments and a proper environmental assessment of the land is conducted, according to the statement of claim filed Oct. 17.

Sworn affidavits from representatives of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and Beaver Creek Cottage Association voice similar concerns about the economic impact of the expansion.

Sunterra has been attempting to expand its operations around Beaver Creek since 2011, when it applied for an environmental licence.

The proposed development covers about 1,600 acres and is located about 60 kilometres north of Riverton.

The expansion is located within the territories of Bloodvein River First Nation and Fisher River First Nation.

The environmental licence was approved in 2015, a provincial decision Fisher River appealed. After 18 months of no response from the province, the First Nation said it had no choice but to take the issue to court.

Crate alleges that despite the appeal, Sunterra continues to conduct mining activity in the proposed development area.

“We are hoping the court will consider the injunction and will ask for more in-depth research in the area. One of the things we are hoping for the judge to just cancel the licence altogether,” said Crate.

Representatives from both sides are expected to appear in court Feb. 6, at which time a judge of the Court of Queen’s Bench will consider the motion asking for an injunction against Sunterra’s current and future activities.

The lawyer representing Sunterra declined to comment on the lawsuit.

The province and Sunterra have not filed a statement of defence.

Officials with the province said they cannot comment specifically on the proposed Sunterra development because it is before the courts.

Bifrost–Riverton Coun. Colin Bjarnason has been a strong supporter of the expansion, arguing it will bring jobs to an area with few employment opportunities.

The development is worth 25 jobs to the area.

“What Fisher River is trying to do is unbelievable. I think they should just leave well enough alone,” he said.

“(The industry) can only get bigger as they (companies) expand… Companies have to meet environmental standards, they get checked, the same as a municipality. You aren’t going to jeopardize your business,” he said.

kristin.annable@freepress.mb.ca