A Clear and Concise letter
Ross Hodgetts is a new contributor to Crowsnest Headwaters. He points a deserving finger at Brian Jean.
Minister Jean:
A release from your office has been reported to claim sufficient water exists in ponds currently found on the Grassy Mountain site to sustain a new mine there. This is not in accordance with the facts, which your office should clarify immediately. The current on-site water could sustain the exploratory phase at Grassy Mountain but is only sufficient to sustain an operating coal mine for perhaps a year. In fact, under the existing drought conditions, water usage at the mine would require half the storage in the Oldman Reservoir. So let’s be clear: water drawdown will be required from York Creek and the Crowsnest River.
By categorizing Grassy Mountain as an advanced project, your government will be condemning the summit of the mountain to removal. This overburden will leach toxic selenium and other minerals into the Oldman watershed for years and then we have, as Yogi Berra once said, “It will be déjà vu all over again”. I am referring to the extremely well documented and ongoing selenium poisoning of the Elk River to the west, despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent by Teck (who until recently mined the coal seams there) to mitigate the disaster.
I note that an NDP government under Nenshi has outlined its coal policy and it is “no” to any new extraction in the mountains. This is what Albertans have clearly stated they expect of your government- just a simple “no”. I understand that you feel the pressure on the legal action launched by the Australian mine companies but as I read it, the damages they have incurred as a result of the re-instatement of the moratorium several years ago are minimal, compared to the billions in compensation that they seek. I have absolutely no objection to your government contesting these lawsuits because even should some compensation have to be paid out, it will be minimal compared to the decades - long downstream hazards endured by landowners, ranchers, agribusinesses and citizens.
Ross Hodgetts
Edmonton
c.c Premier Smith, MLA Petrovic, MLA Elmeligi
Encouraging all letter writers to ensure they are cc'ing a member of the Opposition as well. For those of us who can't get to physical demonstrations, writing or phoning our own MLA, as well as Ministers is one thing we can do. Thanks for posting a variety of letters here so we can find new points to raise.
I have restacked your phone blitz poster.
Thank you for your word of truth