Do You know about the Water not
Coal Citizens Initiative?
by Judy Hughes, Highland Park Senior
“I am only one, but I am one. I
cannot do everything, but I can do something, I will not let what I cannot do
interfere with what I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale
This article is to inform my neighbours
that as a result of changes by our provincial government, coal mine leases are now
available throughout the Eastern Slopes of our Rocky Mountains.
These eastern slopes reach from
Rocky Mountain House down to the Waterton area. There are many company and government
promises in the latest proposal to the Director of Environmental Assessment,
Alberta Energy Regulator. Five years ago in a review, economic benefits for
Albertans were considered but judged to be low to moderate and insufficient to
outweigh the environmental cost: https://static.aer.ca/prd/documents/decisions/2021/2021ABAER010.pdf.
Fortunately, myself and many
Albertans along with the Alberta Wilderness Association, have submitted letters
based on the science of coal mining to challenge the Grassy Mountain project.
I learned that selenium leaches from
coal dust for decades and over time endangers fish species reproductive
ability. No one can truly mitigate the damage of mining inside our mountains
i.e. headwaters of rivers that supply water for drinking and for irrigation. Selenium
contamination affects cutthroat trout and destroys the aquaculture which
impacts the birds that eat the fish. If water treatment is required
indefinitely, Albertans pay for it financially and live with the results
affecting southern Alberta agriculture and tourism. I don’t know about you, but
I feel deeply concerned by these events.
Clean water is required for life. Our
local country singer, Corb Lund, is working tirelessly on our behalf to keep
the eastern slopes intact and to protect our water for future generations. His
initiative focuses on getting legislation to stop new coal mining along the
Rocky Mountain Eastern slopes. You can decide for yourself but do learn the
facts. Information is important for all of us so we can make a difference by
informing each other and acting together. As a grandmother, I want to do my
part so my grandkids can enjoy the wildlife, fly fishing, and hiking in their
Rocky Mountains in their lifetime!
Questions or concerns? Contact me at
[email protected].
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