MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY — A UCP government survey regarding coal mining on the Eastern Slopes, including west of Sundre and Cremona, has found the large majority of respondents have environmental concerns about exploration and development.
Jason Nixon, Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre UCP MLA and Minister of Environment, has said any new coal development along the Eastern Slopes would have to adhere to environmental rules.
Nixon did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the survey results.
Released recently, the Coal Policy Engagement survey saw 24,752 people respond, including 8,807 from central Alberta.
More than 85 per cent of respondents indicated they were “not at all confident that coal exploration/development in Alberta is regulated to ensure it is safe, efficient, orderly and environmentally responsible.”
As well, more than 90 per cent of respondents indicated that there are areas of the province that are not appropriate for coal exploration and development, with suggestions for off-limit areas including the Rockies and foothills, wildlife corridors, recreational areas, and areas in close proximity to residential developments and farms.
Thirty per cent of respondents indicated they believed coal exploration might be appropriate in areas such as existing mine sites and areas that do not affect First Nations lands or Metis settlements.
Respondents were asked to indicate what they considered most important when discussing Alberta’s coal policy, with the highest importance stated to be environmental impacts of coal development, followed by if and where coal development takes place.
Regulatory oversight, enforcement and approval processes were also ranked high.
MLA Marlin Schmidt, the NDP environmental critic, said the results of the UCP government sponsored survey are not surprising.
“We’ve heard from thousands of Albertans who are concerned about the long-lasting environmental impacts this will have and don’t want coal mining in our Rocky Mountains,” said Schmidt.
“Despite overwhelming opposition from Albertans, the UCP seems hell-bent on opening up our mountains for coal mining. If they weren’t, they would simply stop this plan and pass our bill to ban mining in these sensitive area.”
In an earlier interview with The Albertan, Nixon said, “We already have really strong rules in place to make sure that our Eastern Slopes are protected. We will make sure our policies are strong enough to protect the Eastern Slopes.”
Nixon says no coal mining projects are currently underway or proposed for anywhere in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre riding.
