A contentious proposal for a peat harvesting operation northwest of Caroline is set to go before Clearwater County council.
Premier Horticulture Ltd. has applied to build a facility about one mile southwest of Dovercourt Hall. The project would harvest peat moss for commercial horticultural products — including ProMix — used by agricultural producers, greenhouse operators and home gardeners.
The operation would employ about 14 people and could remain active for up to 30 years.
The project would require construction of access roads and a yard site, along with a quonset-style shop, mobile office, utility shed, storage tanks, generator, equipment storage and staff parking area.
Alberta’s Environmental Appeals Board held a virtual hearing on Feb. 23 to hear arguments on whether the authorization should proceed.
Environmental concerns surrounding peat harvesting include habitat loss, water quality degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and the slow natural regeneration of peatlands, which can take centuries. However, an environmental assessment found potential impacts on nearby Mud Creek would likely be negligible.
The proposal was discussed at Clearwater County council’s April 28 meeting. Administration determined the application complies with the county’s land-use bylaw and could support local economic growth, though concerns were raised about increased dust, noise and heavy truck traffic.
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Adjacent residents push back
Residents living near the proposed development have raised several concerns.
Melissa Sieben, who lives across from the proposed site, said area residents do not want the project to move ahead.
“My daughter was waiting for the bus at the end of our lane and saw a calf moose cross our property — she was so excited,” said Sieben. “My heart was breaking, thinking, ‘I hope you enjoyed that because it’s temporary.’”
Sieben cited concerns including traffic noise, environmental impacts, inadequate setbacks and the role peatlands play in wildfire mitigation. While she credited the company for complying with environmental regulations, she said she does not believe the project can proceed without negative impacts.
Another resident, in a letter submitted to council, raised concerns about the potential loss of blue heron habitat.
Sieben also described peat as a non-renewable resource within any human lifetime and questioned whether enough public consultation has occurred.
Opposition dates back years
The Mud Creek area has been considered for peat harvesting since at least 2005, with county documents showing Premier has shown interest as early as 2012.
A May 2018 letter from an area resident to Premier Horticulture Ltd. raised concerns about possible impacts on well water, among other impacts.
A peat harvesting operation has been proposed near Mud Creek. (Bonnie Miller/submitted)
Company cites reclamation efforts
At the April 28 council meeting, Premier Horticulture representatives highlighted existing peat harvesting operations near Drayton Valley, Buck Lake, Grande Prairie and Valleyview.
The company also said a former peat harvesting site near Athabasca has been fully reclaimed.
A 2024 project schedule commits years 18 through 24 of the proposed project to remediation and “progressive reclamation”. The plan also identifies water quality, wildlife, vegetation, wetlands and land use as key considerations.
Company representatives said sedimentation ponds would be carefully monitored before water is released back into Mud Creek.
A 2022 report indicated Premier has initiated over 40 peat harvest projects across Canada, of which 21 are currently undergoing or have completed reclamation activities.
It points to a former peat harvesting operation near Giroux, Manitoba where reclamation work began in 2009 with studies showing wetland activity largely restored by 2019.
A reclaimed peat harvesting site near Giroux, Manitoba is pictured in 2019. (Image credit: Premier Tech)
Public hearing set for June 23
A motion to approve the application with amendments was withdrawn at the April 28 meeting. Council instead voted to postpone the matter, allow for additional public engagement and consult neighbouring municipalities, including Brazeau County.
Coun. Breanne Powell opposed postponing the decision, citing significant public opposition and questioning why the application could not be denied sooner.
Reeve Jordon Northcott also acknowledged widespread concern from residents, noting the municipality has the final say on whether the project proceeds.
Northcott pointed to the role wetlands play in natural flood mitigation.
“To replace those, the cost would be astronomical,” he said.
The issue, originally scheduled to return to council May 26, has been deferred to June 23 to allow time for a public hearing.
Sieben urged newly elected council members to honour the concerns raised by residents.
“They were voted in to respect the voices of the community, and we’re hoping council listens,” she said.
The public hearing is scheduled for June 23 at 10 a.m. in council chambers.
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