SACPA: Exploring the long-term impacts of coal mining in the Oldman River Watershed

“With any issue, we generally don’t advocate for either side. We’re not a lobby group, but we are a forum,” Frank noted before beginning her presentation, adding the science behind any issue is critical to the group’s thought process.

Frank said in the Oldman Watershed, there are “basically” two coal mines that have submitted applications to regulators to mine in the area: The Grassy Mountain and Tent Mountain mines.

“Then there are two other companies that are still in the exploration phase. They haven’t submitted any of their applications yet that would allow them to actually mine, and those are the Atrum and Caven Ridge companies,” she said.

“They’re probably at least two, maybe three years away from applying, so they’re going to be exploring for the next couple of years and they do have approval for that.”

GOVERNMENT APPROVAL

Frank explained that the Alberta Energy Regulator makes most of the decisions when it comes to exploration (allowing holes to be drilled, test pits to be dug, building roads on public lands, etc.).

“The federal government basically only gets involved near the end of the process if a mine is above a certain size and the 1976 coal development policy was created by the Peter Lougheed government to direct where and how coal mining could happen. The policy divided up land into four categories,” she told SACPA.

Category One lands are areas where no coal exploration can occur. More details can be found here.

“Category Two is also important sensitive lands for wildlife and water where coal was not normally considered, but companies could ask for an exemption or reclassification of land,” she explained.

“Category Three and Four where more open and did allow for coal exploration and development, but all categories do require protection for the environment.”

The policy was rescinded last year, however, it’s since been reinstated, with the province saying there will be a new, updated policy following public consultations.

GRASSY MOUNTAIN & TENT MOUNTAIN

The Grassy Mountain project is on Category Four lands in the Crowsnest Pass.

The project has faced a number of critiques from opposition.

READ MORE: Mountaintop coal mine hearings to begin amidst fears of pollution, development rush

A decision on the project is expected in September, at the very earliest, according to Frank.

The Tent Mountain project is also in the Crowsnest Pass on Category Four lands.

“The land was mined in the past and then reclaimed in the 80s, so because it has this previous federal approval, it does not require federal review, only provincial review,” noted Frank.

One of the concerns surrounding coal mines and the Oldman River Watershed is selenium pollution.

“Montem [Resources, operators of Tent Mountain project] is proposing multiple layers of water treatment, so they’re well aware of this issue and they have three levels of treatment that they’re talking about,” Frank said.

She noted that local watersheds are facing serious threats such as climate change and declining biodiversity.

(Still from Shannon Frank’s presentation, Oldman Watershed Council)

“What we’re asking for is a cumulative effects assessment so we can really understand this [long-term impacts],” she said.

Frank’s full presentation to SACPA can be viewed below.

(Southern Alberta Council on Public Affairs on YouTube)

by Justin Goulet

SACPA: Exploring the long-term impacts of coal mining in the Oldman River Watershed

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