THUNDER BAY – A group of concerned citizens is concerned about an upcoming aerial herbicide spray in three area forests.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry recently approved using the herbicide, which it says will control competing vegetation to regenerate the forests, in the Black Spruce Forest, Dog River Matawin Forest and the Lakehead Forest beginning on Aug. 7.
About a dozen people gathered outside the constituency office of Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Bill Mauro Wednesday morning, bearing a box of fresh blueberries, protesting the spraying and the impact it would have on the tasty summertime treat.
Rally organizer Kristi Olsson said the timing of the spray makes no sense.
“That is prime blueberry time. The blueberries are just beginning to ripen so why spray in the first week of August when all of the north shore, everybody who loves blueberries and wants blueberries, can’t get them if they’re sprayed?” she said.
“That’s a major concern for access to blueberries in Northwestern Ontario. That would be like a local moratorium on blueberries if they continue this spraying.”
Olsson is particularly concerned about planned spraying in the Blake Spruce Forest, which is located south of Lake Nipigon. She described the area as a “blueberry mecca.”
MP Bruce Hyer (Green, Thunder Bay-Superior North) also attended the gathering and expressed concerns about health impacts caused by the practice.
Nipigon mayor Richard Harvey has also spoken out against the impact aerial herbicide spraying has on blueberry plants.
“That’s a real problem for us and a real issue. There are mechanical means that could be used,” he said. “Blueberry picking is potentially a real industry for our region and this is a wonderful opportunity both with tourism but there are people who make their living picking blueberries this time of year.”
