High River Council unanimously urges premier to consider wider impact of Grassy Mountain coal scheme

"There is a deplorable lack of public consultation taking place, and the impacts should be widely communicated beyond Crowsnest Pass and M.D. of Ranchlands No. 66."

Dear Premier Smith,

This letter is a formal request for the province to consider the broader impacts of a metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain. The non-binding referendum that Crowsnest Pass is holding this month should not be considered the only voice when making a decision in regard to coal mining at Grassy Mountain.

On behalf of my fellow Council Members, High River residents, and all Albertans who depend on the Highwood River, the purpose of this letter is to respectfully ask you to undertake additional local and province wide public consultation, to consider the broader impacts of a metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain, prior to any further consideration or action surrounding this project.

The province considers public consultation an integral part of conducting municipal business, along with providing a transparent, accountable, collaborative and regulatory approach to all business matters yet the provincial government is not reciprocating the same responsibilities when considering these coal mining operations. There is a deplorable lack of public consultation taking place, and the impacts should be widely communicated beyond Crowsnest Pass and M.D. of Ranchlands No. 66.

The non-binding referendum being conducted in the Crowsnest Pass should not be considered as the only voice in this decision-making process. Consideration should be extended to all of Albertans downstream of the headwaters, who will experience profound repercussions created from these operations such as:

1. Ecological impacts;

2. Agriculture production;

3. Wildlife preservation;

4. Quality and cleanliness of drinking water; and

5. Unnecessary pollution.

The effects of these consequences will ultimately impact Albertans' health and quality of life. Albertans are counting on you to analyze and apply the scientific data that can be used to support the fact that sustainable development cannot continue to take precedence over our relationship with the environment.

We must protect our vital water source now and for generations to come, and these actions cannot be reversed.

It is your sovereign duty to put the rights of Albertans first. Your quote "Let's do this the Alberta way - strong, focused and determined to do what you believe is in the best interests of Albertans no matter how hard that is."

Premier Smith, if what you speak is the truth and you truly do take pride in this province and everything it stands for, then for all the pioneers and farmers, the many First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, who have lived on and cared for these lands for generations, and for the rest of all Albertans and municipalities located within the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains, who will be deeply affected by any decisions regarding coal mining in our region, we deserve to have a say in these matters. You don't have to listen very closely to hear the voices of concern, you just have to listen.

The answer is "No" - No further coal mines should be allowed on Alberta's Eastern Slopes. There is no balancing act that can be accomplished when we are dealing with threats to our water.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

Regards

Craig Snodgrass

Mayor, High River, Alberta