Coal Policy change will have real consequences for rural communities and the environment

The sudden rollback of Alberta’s coal policy caught many in the province off guard, but a group of rural residents and conservationists, are especially concerned about the on the ground impact of these changes. The cancellation of the coal policy, which came into effect June 1st, has opened the door to a series of open pit coking coal mines in the Livingstone region – located between Kananaskis and the Castle Parks. Many residents of southwest Alberta could end up with a number of massive open-pit coal mines right on their back doorsteps.

Livingstone Landowners Group (LLG) and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) - Southern Alberta Chapter have come together to oppose these industrial projects in southwestern Alberta’s ranching country. Albertans for a Coal Mine Free Southwest is a partnership between LLG and CPAWS - joining with other concerned Albertans to raise awareness about the importance of the area under threat from industrial coal projects and the potential risk to downstream water quality, air pollution, wildlife habitat, recreation value and rural quality of life.

“This is an issue that will affect everyone who relies on water, all the way from the foothills to Lethbridge and across the prairies. Anyone that hikes, camps or fishes in our foothills forests and anyone that cares about fish and wildlife in the province should be concerned.” says John Lawson, Livingstone Landowners Group Livingstone Representative.” Ranching operations and the quiet rural way of life could be altered for decades or longer if the mines go ahead. We think it’s important to work together to protect this special place from large scale industrial coal mine development.”

With the cancellation of the coal policy, open-pit coal mines are now permitted in sensitive regions along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, areas that were previously protected from coal development. These changes were implemented without a public consultation process and at least six coal mines are already moving forward with exploration and development proposals in an area which is also the headwaters region for the Oldman River.

“Just the exploration itself is a major concern,” adds Katie Morrison, Conservation Director with CPAWS - Southern Alberta. “The additional hundreds of kilometres of new roads and significant disturbance from drill sites can have a huge impact on the lands, waters, wildlife and other users of the land.”

Lawson explains, “Residents of the area are worried what it could mean for their future water supply, air quality and health, and what the environmental and economic cost will be to Albertans.

“Given the risks we have seen at similar mines, particularly the selenium pollution and resulting impacts on the trout populations downstream from the Elk River operations, just on the other side of the Great Divide in British Columbia, we are not confident that this project can move forward in a way that is sustainable or even safe for the residents of our region and anyone else who lives downstream of it,” adds Morrison.