Residents call proposed peat mine a ‘threat’ to Lake Winnipeg’s Washow Bay

A petition asking the province to put a halt to a proposed peat mine expansion near Lake Winnipeg has almost 1,000 signatures, as residents express concerns about the project and what damage it could bring to the community and to the lake.

“Lake Winnipeg’s Washow Bay area, a vital ecosystem supporting diverse wildlife and local communities, is under threat from the expansion of peat mining operations,” reads a statement posted on a petition set up on Change.org in July by residents of the Washow Bay area.

According to the petition, SunGro Horticulture, which operates several peat mines in Manitoba’s Washow Bay region on the western shore of Lake Winnipeg, is seeking environmental approval to mine an additional 8.5 square kilometres of wetlands over the next 40 years in the area that is home to both permanent residents and seasonal cottages.

The petition calls on the province and Environment Minister Tracy Schmidt to step in and put a stop to the expansion and had a total of 940 signatures as of Nov. 19.

“Peat, a non-renewable resource, is being extracted at the cost of our environment and the health of Lake Winnipeg. We call upon the province and responsible authorities to halt the expansion of peat mining by SunGro, and other operators to protect Lake Winnipeg,” the petition reads.

The petition is now demanding an “immediate moratorium” on new peat mining licenses, and on the expansion of existing operations in the “Lake Winnipeg area.”

It also asks the province and levels of government to seek out “sustainable alternatives” to peat mining.

“Promote and support the use of sustainable alternatives to peat, such as typha, composting, and coconut coir, which can provide similar benefits without environmental harm,” the petition reads.

The petition also lists what organizers say could be the negative effects to the area and to Lake Winnipeg if the expansion moves forward.

“Peat mining releases stored phosphorus into its runoff, which contributes to algae blooms in Lake Winnipeg,” the petition reads.

“Peat mining degrades water quality by releasing suspended solids and dissolved metals into water bodies. It alters local water tables and drainage patterns, leading to soil erosion and increased sedimentation that harms aquatic life and recreational areas. Peat buildups are already evident on Lake Winnipeg’s beaches and shoreline.”

The petition adds that peat is “highly flammable” and could put residents in the area at greater risk of wildfires.

“Serviced by a single gravel road, currently in a state of disrepair, several Lake Winnipeg communities have no escape route. When wildfires occurred in June 2020, many cottages were lost or damaged.”

It also says that First Nations communities including Fisher River First Nation and Peguis First Nation have also expressed concerns over the environmental impact and possible “infringement of Aboriginal and Treaty Rights.”

Should the expansion go forward the petition claims it could lead to “environmental devastation” in the area.

“Peatlands are rich ecosystems that support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Peat mining destroys these habitats, leading to significant biodiversity loss and disruption of critical ecosystem services like water regulation, carbon storage, and flood mitigation,” the petition reads.

“By signing this petition, you are standing up for the protection of Lake Winnipeg’s precious peatlands and supporting the health and well-being of local communities.”

Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie responded to the concerns on Nov. 20.

“Our government is supporting economic growth while ensuring that strong environmental protections are in place,” Bushie said in an email.

“Recently issued Environmental licences for peat harvesting require climate change adaptation measures, an emissions reduction strategy, annual emissions reporting, and companies must follow acceptable certification requirements.

“After certification, operational mitigation measures include concrete actions such as minimizing land clearing, restoring harvested areas, high standards of vehicle maintenance, and limiting vehicle idling.”

SunGro Horticulture did not respond to a request for comment.

This story was originally published in The Winnipeg Sun. It is republished under a Creative Commons license as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.