Lethbridge Councillor Belinda Crowson will Move a Resolution on February 25th (12:30 p.m.) for Protecting the Oldman Watershed and Protecting Agriculture and Agri-food Businesses in the region. SAGE advocated for, and supports, this Resolution (https://www.sage-environment.org/grassy-mountain-coal-project-a-resolution/)

The Resolution states:

WHEREAS water is vital for human, animal and plant life; and

WHEREAS Lethbridge and surrounding communities are downstream from the proposed mining site and gets its water from the Oldman River and whereas these proposed projects have the potential of affecting the water in the entire Oldman Watershed; and

WHEREAS major irrigation systems in southern Alberta obtain their water from the Oldman watershed and southern Alberta’s economy and jobs may be impacted long-term if water quality issues affect the quality of our irrigation water and the reputation of our agri-food processing hubs may be damaged for years; and

WHEREAS there is at present, little scientific information on how to address selenium at the water treatment level; and

WHEREAS coal mining is known to be a large user of water and there are already water quantity issues and concerns in southern Alberta; and

WHEREAS there are growing concerns among other southern Alberta communities, Indigenous Nations, and southern Alberta residents.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council reconfirms that the City of Lethbridge is opposed to any coal developments that risk damage to the Oldman Watershed, including the Grassy Mountain Coal Project, and directs the Mayor to issue a public statement outlining the City of Lethbridge’s concern related to coal mining and ask the provincial government to ensure that there are no coal mine projects allowed on the Eastern Slopes; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT City Council directs that at the March 13, 2025, meeting of the Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee city administration provides a presentation on potential concerns related to future coal mining for the Oldman Watershed and the water supply of the city of Lethbridge.