Alberta's Rockies need better protection.
Some harm is already done with more to come.
Alberta’s Coal Policy was meant to protect the most ecologically sensitive areas of our Rockies, but was suddenly cancelled in June 2020, causing a devastating ripple effect. The fact that the Coal Policy could be cancelled so easily, and without public consultation, reveals that we need stronger protections for the vulnerable Eastern Slopes of the Rockies. Although the policy has since been reinstated, the impacts of its removal have been extreme and are still ongoing.
Devastating exploration activity has already started, coal projects are still moving forward, and lack of transparency has made it difficult for Albertans to trust this process. Many Albertans make their livelihoods and spend their weekends and holidays in the very landscapes that are now overrun with coal mining exploration roads and test drill pits.
Livingstone range in Alberta where multiple coal mine proposals are in process (left), Elk Valley in B.C. after coal mining operations (right)
If coal mines go forward in our Rockies, the damage will be irreversible.
The environmental impacts of open-pit coal mining are well known. And despite billions of investment, no company to date has been successful in fixing the resulting water pollution. Open-pit coal mining has no place in our Rockies because:
It requires huge volumes of water for operations, but many of our waterways are already at their limits for demand.
It leaches toxins like selenium into water, which present extreme health risks to fish and people – and these are the waterways that most Albertans get their drinking water from.
It will fragment and destroy habitat for threatened and iconic wildlife species such as grizzly bears, bull trout, and westslope cutthroat trout.
It will transform the landscape into a dirty “dustbowl” appearance, destroying scenic views and damaging Alberta’s outdoor tourism industry.
Make no mistake: these mines will be big.
They will be ugly and they will be incredibly destructive. Excavators will strip away the mountaintops to expose the coal seams. The waste will end up in giant spoil heaps and tailings ponds, and everyone downstream and downwind will risk a likely future of contaminated air and water.
The same kind of mining a few kilometers west, in BC, has left streams polluted with poisonous selenium seeping from the shattered rock. Even if the mining companies follow through with remediation efforts, the landscape and streams will never recover.
The mining juggernaut might seem unstoppable to those who worry about a sustainable future. The companies have billions of dollars and can dedicate huge resources to securing face time with government. Lobbyists representing the companies have already met with federal officials at least 13 times in the past two years. But they can and should be stopped. Grassroots Albertans are banding together to protect our heritage.
With tens of thousands of Albertans raising concerns over the cancellation of the Coal Policy, it’s clear that Albertans want more protections for their Rocky Mountains. Now Albertans want to see definitive protections for the Eastern Slopes to ensure our that our shared landscape is secured for future generations to enjoy.
How does Alberta move forward to find a better future for our beloved Eastern Slopes?
Our team at CPAWS believes that the first step must be immediate action to reverse the effects of the Coal Policy’s removal. To help restore Albertans’ faith and trust, the Government of Alberta should immediately:
Put a stop to all coal exploration activities in the Eastern Slopes;
Stop issuing any new exploration permits in the Eastern Slopes;
Cancel all coal leases issued since June 1, 2020;
Uphold water allocation policy commitments to prioritize community and ecological health. Industrial coal projects should not receive special treatment; and
Launch a pre-engagement to fully understand the public’s vision for the Eastern Slopes.
Ultimately, our team believes that a much broader consultation process is needed to determine the future of Alberta’s Eastern Slopes, with contribution from the public and Indigenous governments and communities. This process should not solely aim for a policy that enables coal development. Instead, it should be a long-term, comprehensive plan that ensures our Eastern Slopes are protected and guarantees the health and safety of Albertans.
What can you do to help?
Send a letter today to the Minister of Energy. Let our government know that we want to see our Eastern Slopes protected, and this process cannot start from a place of bad faith.