Media Release March 5, 2021
Study to Determine Impact
of Coal Mining in the Headwaters
The Livingstone Landowners Group announced today that it has engaged the Alces Group and Integral Ecology Group to immediately undertake a strategic level science-based assessment of the impacts on water quality and quantity in the Oldman River system that are expected to occur in the coming years if proposed coal mines in the headwaters area are approved and proceed.
The Livingstone Landowners Group has been active since 2004, representing landowners, residents, and others in the region concerned with ensuring sustainability of existing land uses and ecosystems along the southern Eastern Slopes. The challenges are increasing in the face of continuing and sometimes inappropriate pressures from industry.
Both the Alces Group and Integral Ecology Group have extensive experience in land-use and related research and planning work, in Alberta, British Columbia and Internationally.
A growing number of large coal mining companies have been active in the area, with several mines now in exploration or later stages of application and development, encouraged by extremely low royalty rates and favourable regulatory practices in the province. The trend has escalated dramatically over the past year as a result of Alberta government decisions to change coal policy and regulations in order to promote coal development. These government actions have provoked strong and widely based opposition from citizens throughout the province.
This report is specifically designed to quantify changes in each of water supply, water demand and water quality of the Oldman River basin in the context of projected coal mining in the headwaters of the watershed.
Dr. Brad Stelfox, of the Alces Group and lead consultant on the study, commented on the reasons for this focus and the expected results: “The Oldman River Watershed is one of the driest regions in Alberta and is facing increasing uncertainty in water balance because of increasing demand and reductions in water supply.”
“Given that this region is in the rain shadow of the Rockies and is projected to see an increase in the frequency and magnitude of drought conditions under climate change scenarios, it is possible that increasing water demand from coal mining will place additional constraints on the ability of the government to meet their existing “instream flow” needs and the demands of current land uses (livestock, irrigated crops, municipal and industrial),” he said. We need to understand how flows may be affected by changes in demand and will also look at the impact of introducing additional water intake points further upstream than is the case today.
Dr. Stelfox added that the study will also consider various aspects of water quality comparing the current situation with a future that includes coal mining in proposed mine locations in the headwaters area of the Old Man River water basin.
A Project Advisory Committee consisting of both local users and academic or professional experts will represent the LLG and also guide and monitor the work as it progresses.
Speaking for LLG and as a member of the Advisory Committee, local rancher John Lawson said: “In recent years, the health and sustainability of our headwaters have become of much greater concern to residents locally and over a wide area downstream as we see increasing effects and risks associated with climate change, extreme weather events, and new industrial incursions.
“There is an immediate need to have improved information and a more comprehensive understanding of these changes and the water sources that we all depend on – decision-makers cannot reasonably approve more activity and development on the landscape without this kind of information,” Lawson added.
Another Advisory Committee member, professional biologist and longtime advocate for sustainable water use in the province, Lorne Fitch of Lethbridge also commented: “Before we make irreversible decisions on water quantity and quality we should understand the limitations and consequences of such actions, to guide outcomes that are in the public interest. This study helps us do that.”
The study is expected to be completed and results available by May 31.