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Mayor Spearman issuing letter of concern over water quality from Grassy Mountain project

Oct 21, 2020 | 3:14 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB– At Lethbridge City Council’s meeting on Monday (October 19), Council voted unanimously for Mayor Chris Spearman to send a letter over concerns about water quality relating to the Grassy Mountain Coal Project.

The letter is, “copying the Premier of Alberta and the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of Lethbridge (East) highlighting City Council’s concerns regarding water quality and also referencing the Oldman Watershed Council Submission to the Joint Review Panel.”

Concerns have grown over water quality given off through the Old Man River near the Crowsnest Pass.

A Joint Review Panel in which the letter will be going to will be reviewing the amount of selenium in the
water treatment level.

Selenium is a chemical found in coal in small amounts and concerns have been growing over the water being contaminated by selenium.

The City Council document highlights some of the concerns:

“Lethbridge’s and southern Alberta’s economy and jobs may be impacted long-term if water quality issues affect the quality of our irrigation water and the reputation of our agri-food processing hubs may be damaged for years.”

As of now, the city has not informed anyone of when Spearman will send the letter.