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In a striking display of community activism, residents of Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, gathered to protest the recent approval of a contentious exploratory coal mining project in the Rocky Mountains. Organized by the Defenders of the Eastern Slopes (DOES), the demonstration aimed to voice the concerns and fears of local residents regarding the Grassy Mountain coal project.
Community fears and environmental concerns
Riesah Prock, a volunteer with DOES, emphasized the peaceful nature of the rally, stating, “This is a peaceful demonstration, a rally, to tell the government that we will not put up with this nonsense of coal mining in the Rockies.” Prock expressed skepticism about whether the Alberta government would heed their concerns but remained hopeful that more Albertans would join the cause.
She poignantly remarked, “I know, from personal experience, what pollution does. We can’t afford it. People have to pay attention and wake up.” The primary concern among protesters is the potential threat to the local water supply, which they believe could be compromised by coal mining activities.
Impact on wildlife and local ecosystems
Mike Judd, another volunteer with DOES, highlighted the environmental risks associated with coal mining, stating, “All you have to do is look over the mountains to the west where open pit coal mining has been going on for decades.
They have a tremendous problem with their rivers with selenium contamination. We don’t need that here.” Judd warned that endangered species would face even greater risks if the project proceeds, asserting that the beautiful landscapes of the Rockies are at stake.
He passionately declared, “This is your wonderful landscape and it’s about to be compromised from Grassy Mountain to Grande Cache with open pit coal mines and it will ruin forever your watersheds.”
Support for the coal industry
Despite the protests, not all residents oppose the coal mining project.
Joe Goodwin, a 20-year veteran of the coal industry, defended modern mining practices, arguing that they are cleaner and safer than ever before. “The reality of it is, the water in the Elk Valley is some of the most pristine in Western Canada. The fishing is some of the best in Western Canada,” he stated. Goodwin believes that the region’s economy relies heavily on mining and forestry, claiming, “Our community wouldn’t be here without mining and forestry. All of the trails that everybody enjoys wouldn’t be here without forestry and exploration and mining.”
The future of jobs in the coal industry
While the need for jobs is acknowledged by both sides, protesters argue that the coal industry must evolve to meet modern standards. Ken Williams, another volunteer with DOES, remarked, “We all want jobs, good jobs to raise families, but some jobs are archaic and are quickly becoming obsolescent. The coal mining industry, I think, the window of opportunity for that is narrowing very rapidly.” However, Goodwin countered this perspective, asserting that mining jobs remain among the highest-paying options available to those without a college degree. He stated, “For a person who gets out of high school and doesn’t want to pursue higher education, get a couple years of job experience and get out into the workforce and start working in the mines. That’s a person who’s making over $100,000 per year very early in life.”
As the protests continue, Judd affirmed that the fight against coal mining in the eastern slopes of Alberta is far from over. “Albertans don’t want coal mining on the eastern slopes and we’re going to fight back,” he declared, signaling a growing movement among residents to protect their environment and community.
