On Monday, Turner Valley town council voted in favour of submitting a letter to the provincial government regarding coal exploration, joining several other Alberta towns in doing so.

The letter includes several requests, including for the provincial government re-instate the 1976 Coal Policy, to institute a consultation process with relevant stakeholders, and for an analysis of environmental, hydrological, economic, and recreational impacts of the proposed changes.

It also calls for an immediate halt of all coal-related activities made possible by the rescinding of the coal act.

Turner Valley Mayor Barry Crane says it's clear this means a lot to the people and municipalities of the Foothills.

"High River, Nanton, Okotoks, the County, these are all important partners. We have to have a unified voice and speak directly to the provincial government and let them know what we think and what our citizens think. For Turner Valley, we have received more feedback on this one issue than I have seen in all eight years on council."

The letter expresses concern over the possible impacts of coal exploration activities on local water sources, a sentiment expressed by neighbouring municipalities and residents alike.

Crane says water quality has been a priority for Turner Valley long before the conversation surrounding the coal policy arose.

"We have our own issues out here, and water has been at the top for generations. We have doubled the testing of our water out here because of concerns around water quality and contamination from older developments that were never remediated properly."

He says while coal plays a vital role in the economy of several Alberta towns, it's still important to voice concerns over how these projects will affect Foothills communities.

"Let's not forget that we have to have a certain amount of public sympathy for towns that are dependent on coal, like Crowsnest Pass and Blairmore and so on. Those communities survive because of that industry, so we can't just ignore the fact that it is part of our world, it is part of our province, and it is part of our economy, but we are voicing our concern around what will affect our towns, and our water quality is at the top of that list, and our beauty, our scenery, our tourism, and our economic development all fall in line with that."

To view the Turner Valley Council meeting, click here.

Related: Okotoks Council to Submit Coal Policy Letter to Alberta Government

Foothills County Climbs Aboard Coal Mining Opposition Train

Nanton Joins Others In Demanding Answers About Mining

High River Mayor And Council Oppose Lifting Moratorium On Coal Mining

 

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