A letter to MLA Chelsae Petrovic and Minister Brian Jean
From a concerned citizen's point of view
The following is a great letter by Blaine Moen, MD of Pincher Creek.
MLA Petrovic and Minister Jean:
Today, my wife and I traveled to Claresholm to meet you MLA Petrovic and let you know our feelings about your UCP government pushing coal mines in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes, our watershed. I had hoped you might listen to our concerns which are rooted in science, facts, and precedence.
Now, to be fair to you, all of us showed up during your "coffee with your MLA" event, so we understand you would be unprepared for our arrival. Having said that, when you threaten southern Albertans' water with coal mines, you should better educate and prepare yourself for a response.
I tried to explain how our.... even your water will be impacted by these mines and yes, even impacted by the exploration recently authorized in the snap of a finger by Brian Jean. Instead of listening, you chose to explain, argue and obfuscate. So much so that I feel it necessary to write you and Minister Jean in hopes you can take the time to reflect on our concerns.
At times it was clear you approached our concerns as if we were uninformed, as though we just didn't understand. But, what if we are informed and what if we do understand? Would you continue your obstinate behavior?
We expect our legislative representative to listen to our concerns, consider them, investigate and then discuss with fellow representatives before arguing that more people in your riding support the coal mines. The fact that you took such a stand so quickly today demonstrates where your allegiances lie. Not with your constituents, but with your political party.
The facts are clear, we know what we will face from the Elk Valley. Teck spent over a billion dollars attempting to remove Selenium from their water only to sell their interests and leave. It is not just Selenium, there are four other serious issues facing us related to water.
The first thing Benga Mining did after buying Grassy Mountain was to secure water rights. All the water rights they could get their hands on. Today, that water is making its way into the Oldman River, as the mine is not functioning, YET. It helps provide drinking water to over 100,000 people in Lethbridge. It supplies irrigators, farms and ranches, not to mention industries like fishing. So, when the mine does start, all that water purchased by Benga/Riversdale/Northback will be taken out of the headwaters. Which users will be missing that water? Drill sites, mine related activities, access roads and railways will replace water generating mountainous ecosystem with cuts, gravel or dirt. When the snow melts, rather than seeping into the ground and being filtered and cooled, the water runs off at speed gaining temperature and contaminates. The Eastern Slopes, our watershed, is our greatest water keeper, but you'd never know that given your lack of consideration when you replace that ground with coal mine(s).
Minister Jean, you mentioned "high wall and underground" mining practices will reduce Selenium leaching. First, how do the mine operators get underground? Have you invented a new way to dig a hole without digging a hole? Of course, there will be areas where our world above ground will meet your underground mine shafts. But the real Selenium concern is our weather. Travel west through Lundbreck, then the Pass on a windy day and continue into the Elk Valley. Check the wind strength along the way. You will learn what we all already know, the wind drops significantly in the Elk Valley compared to the Pass. Two days ago we had wind warnings in the Pass over 110 kmph. Now, I'm sure you know that all mines stockpile their product, coal in this case, beside a railway in preparation to deliver. Huge stockpiles of coal, sitting, waiting for the wind to carry that coal dust all over southern Alberta.
The coal dust contaminates pastures, crops, rivers and lakes miles from the mine, waiting for rain and snow to carry it further. Do either of you really expect us to believe any mine operator can control that?
Southern Alberta is water poor, we don't have any water to contaminate and waste like they do in the BC interior. Southern Alberta and Saskatchewan are the driest places in the entire country, which is why we are fighting you so hard. We have known all our lives what you clearly do not. Our water represents our existence. Your promises that you can mine the Eastern Slopes, how did you put it, "considerate of the environment" are wasted on us. We know what will happen.
Finally, water is being traded now as a commodity. All over the planet leaders are working frantically to find and protect uncontaminated, clean water. But here you two are, spokes in a crushing UCP wheel of misinformation and lies, threatening our water instead of performing your most basic function, protecting your citizens. And for what? You say a lawsuit, I say we can win a lawsuit as was done in the late 90’s when then conservative government officials called for a four-season resort at Mount Sparrowhawk. A consortium then spent money, the government reversed course after public backlash and the consortium sued the Alberta government (ring a bell?). And the consortium lost! I’m not a lawyer like you Minister Jean, but I believe that’s called a precedent.
I am reminded of words I read a few years back, "When dealing with complex issues, it is important to be transparent. For example, don’t put out notice of a policy change after-hours on the Friday of a long weekend. That looks shady."
Albertans are having a difficult time seeing you Mr. Jean, hiding in your shady activities. Stating Grassy Mountain is exempt from your new CIMI right before the Christmas break. Then rescinding the Ministerial order that instantly removed the moratorium on coal exploration in a letter to the AER. Even making the AER do your dirty work and inform Albertans with you nowhere in sight.
"Kenney should also consult Albertans on whether we want to put a moratorium on new coal development in the southern foothills."
The Coal Policy Committee did that. The largest single public engagement in Alberta history and the takeaway, over 70% of Albertans do not want coal mines in the Eastern Slopes.
The words I quoted are valuable words. They are your words Mr. Jean, Alberta's Minister of Shade.
Hey Denise. Right on the money.
On another note, how would relate to old Joe Coccioloni? He was one of my old fishing pals.
Thank heavens for people who use facts and science rather than fiction and wishful thinking. We know what happens when the watershed isn't there and the temperatures and winds keep ramping up. Fort MacMurray knows. Waterton Park knows. Jasper knows. Los Angeles and areas know. I am from the Crowsnest Pass and our fire in 2003 means that many other citizens from this area also know that water is everything. We have all watched how low the rivers and lakes are, not to mention the Old Man Dam reservoir. Northback has sold its story to many who are willing to drink the koolaid but this is so dire and our provincial government is freaking out over a law suit. It is time to man up, UPC, and realize that the hole you're digging yourselves into isn't worth it. I am an Albertan and I oppose these mines.