St. Albert council will debate next week whether to write a letter to the province about coal mining in the Rocky Mountains.
Coun. Sheena Hughes brought forward a notice of motion last week for Mayor Cathy Heron to write a letter of concern to the province around plans to expand coal mining on the Eastern Slope of the Alberta Rockies.
The letter to the province would request a review of the impacts of strip mining in Alberta's eastern mountains, that municipalities are consulted as stakeholders on future coal policy changes, and a moratorium is placed on ongoing coal exploration until after independent and extensive public consultation has occurred and a replacement coal policy is in effect.
In an interview, Hughes said she felt the city needed to go beyond asking for consultation and support all three initiatives to protect Alberta's headwaters from coal mining.
On March 15, councillors heard a presentation from two residents concerned about what impacts these operations could have on the environment and provincial watersheds, including St. Albert's water supply. Those residents, Ronda Metszies and Janet Bertsch, asked for a letter that would add St. Albert to a growing list of Alberta municipalities and First Nations expressing their opposition to coal mining changes.
At the time, council heard levels of selenium, an element that can be harmful to fish and humans, are currently extremely low in St. Albert's drinking water.
Heron had previously said a letter from St. Albert wouldn't have the desired effect, and that advocacy needed to happen through the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA).
"I realized that the Mayor had said that AUMA has sent a letter, so there's no need for municipalities to do so, and I just respectfully disagree. I think that everyone needs to send a letter, every person who's concerned about this should send a letter," Hughes said.
"The government needs to be aware in overwhelming numbers that strip coal mining is not acceptable as they are currently doing it, and there needs to be a proper review of the impacts that are happening ... We need to have the government see the number of people who are prepared to take five minutes of their day to say we are not comfortable with what you're doing. We are not comfortable with the real potential that our water systems could be permanently polluted and affect our own health."
The province recently approved six coal exploration leases in previously protected areas as consultations continue around drafting a new coal policy. Proposed mines intersect with several river sources, including the North Saskatchewan River, from which St. Albert draws its drinking water. Pollution is a main concern, as coal mine developments leech natural elements like selenium into waterways, which can result in environmental and health impacts in higher concentrations.
The motion will come to council for debate at the next meeting on April 19.
