Dustin Cook
Coal mining near the North Saskatchewan River could negatively affect water quality and the health of aquatic life in Edmonton, city officials say, calling on the province to address these concerns.
© Provided by Edmonton Journal A risk assessment of coal mining in the North Saskatchewan River watershed found a medium-low risk to water quality for aquatic life in Edmonton.
A risk assessment of upstream coal mining in the river watershed, conducted by Epcor and presented to council’s utility committee Friday morning, found the risk to aquatic life would be medium-low and impact to drinking water would be low as a result of minerals entering into the headwaters during surface mining.
But in the case of a rare event, such as a dam failure, there would be an extreme impact in the downstream water quality, the risk assessment found.
This type of event is of grave concern if coal mining would be permitted, Ward 4 Coun. Aaron Paquette said, as the river is Edmonton’s sole source of drinking water. Currently, five per cent of the area feeding the river upstream of Edmonton, covering 1,500 square kilometres, have coal leases in place but any work has been suspended during the provincial government’s review of the 1976 coal policy. The policy was rescinded last year but reinstated in February following a slew of concerns.
To address the risks associated with coal mining, utility committee members asked Mayor Don Iveson to write a letter to the province on behalf of council in an effort to protect the river.
“There are vast numbers of our public who are deeply concerned about maintaining literally this river of life that runs through our province and beautiful city,” Paquette said during Friday’s meeting. “This is a responsibility that I don’t think any of us take lightly, and we understand and are concerned along with our public.”
A committee formed by the province is working to develop a modern policy to determine the future of coal mining, with that report due in November. Before the pause on mining projects in parts of the southern Rocky Mountains and foothills was put into effect in April, there were six permits in place allowing coal exploration and drilling. The city met with the committee in July to discuss its concerns and will also be submitting the risk assessment findings.
Christopher Smith, parks co-ordinator for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northern Alberta Chapter, called on the City of Edmonton to join other Alberta municipalities in fighting for a coal restriction policy to prohibit any additional coal exploration along the eastern coast of the mountains. As one of the largest municipalities in the province, Smith said Edmonton should take a stand against coal mining in line with the city’s climate change goals.
“We want our water to be clean now and well into the future,” Smith said. “Edmonton, as a major city centre downstream of multiple coal interests, has a responsibility to weigh in on this conversation.”
The utility committee also directed city staff to undertake a review of existing water management initiatives and provide recommendations for a formal watershed plan to protect water quality and biodiversity within Edmonton boundaries.
There is about 28,000 square kilometres of land upstream of Edmonton that drains into the river watershed.
A risk assessment of upstream coal mining in the river watershed, conducted by Epcor and presented to council’s utility committee Friday morning, found the risk to aquatic life would be medium-low and impact to drinking water would be low as a result of minerals entering into the headwaters during surface mining.
But in the case of a rare event, such as a dam failure, there would be an extreme impact in the downstream water quality, the risk assessment found.
This type of event is of grave concern if coal mining would be permitted, Ward 4 Coun. Aaron Paquette said, as the river is Edmonton’s sole source of drinking water. Currently, five per cent of the area feeding the river upstream of Edmonton, covering 1,500 square kilometres, have coal leases in place but any work has been suspended during the provincial government’s review of the 1976 coal policy. The policy was rescinded last year but reinstated in February following a slew of concerns.
To address the risks associated with coal mining, utility committee members asked Mayor Don Iveson to write a letter to the province on behalf of council in an effort to protect the river.
“There are vast numbers of our public who are deeply concerned about maintaining literally this river of life that runs through our province and beautiful city,” Paquette said during Friday’s meeting. “This is a responsibility that I don’t think any of us take lightly, and we understand and are concerned along with our public.”
A committee formed by the province is working to develop a modern policy to determine the future of coal mining, with that report due in November. Before the pause on mining projects in parts of the southern Rocky Mountains and foothills was put into effect in April, there were six permits in place allowing coal exploration and drilling. The city met with the committee in July to discuss its concerns and will also be submitting the risk assessment findings.
Christopher Smith, parks co-ordinator for the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northern Alberta Chapter, called on the City of Edmonton to join other Alberta municipalities in fighting for a coal restriction policy to prohibit any additional coal exploration along the eastern coast of the mountains. As one of the largest municipalities in the province, Smith said Edmonton should take a stand against coal mining in line with the city’s climate change goals.
“We want our water to be clean now and well into the future,” Smith said. “Edmonton, as a major city centre downstream of multiple coal interests, has a responsibility to weigh in on this conversation.”
The utility committee also directed city staff to undertake a review of existing water management initiatives and provide recommendations for a formal watershed plan to protect water quality and biodiversity within Edmonton boundaries.
There is about 28,000 square kilometres of land upstream of Edmonton that drains into the river watershed.
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