My name is Andrea Dowd, and I wanted to address some concerns I and many others of the Crowsnest Pass (residents and vacation owners) have with regards to the application of the Northback mine at Grassy Mountain in the Crowsnest Pass.

Grassy Lake Mine Referendum Concerns

A referendum is scheduled for November 25th, 2024, on whether the Grassy Mountain Mine should proceed. However, only residents can vote, excluding non-resident property owners, despite their significant tax contributions.

I reached out to the mayor and councillors to question why $27,000 of taxpayer money is being spent on a referendum that holds no legal weight since the courts will ultimately decide. The response was that the referendum is meant to gauge residents’ opinions without influence from non-residents.

It was also revealed that on September 10th, 2024, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass (MCNP) hired a lawyer to oppose the Adjournment motion from MD of Ranchlands 66. This action suggests that, despite the upcoming referendum, the decision to support the mine may already be made.

It appears we are up against Northback, a corporation with billions at its disposal, aggressively lobbying for the mine regardless of community sentiment.

Environmental Impact of the Grassy Mountain Mine

The proposed mine aims to extract 4.5 million tonnes of coal annually for 23 years, requiring 1.125 billion litres of fresh water each year—excluding recycled water. Southern Alberta, already facing significant drought conditions, risks further water depletion or contamination with toxic substances like selenium, which could harm aquatic life and water quality.

In July 2024, TECK, a BC mining company, faced five charges from Environment Canada for dumping harmful substances in waterways and was fined $200,000. A health risk assessment found dangerously high selenium levels, threatening drinking water and fish. 

On March 19th, 2024, a new report commissioned by Wildsight revealed alarming projections about the costs of reversing selenium contamination in Canadian and U.S. waterways, caused by toxic runoff from Teck's Elk Valley coal mines in British Columbia. The report estimates that it will take at least $6.4 billion to address this rising contamination over the next 60 years.

Selenium contamination from these Teck-owned mines has been a growing concern for more than a decade, as concentrations have repeatedly breached water quality standards in British Columbia and Montana. This pollution poses serious risks to aquatic ecosystems and human water sources.

For years, the Transboundary Ktunaxa, an Indigenous group, have called for more stringent protections and remediation efforts in these affected waterways, but their demands have largely gone unmet. Recently, however, their advocacy bore fruit, as the International Joint Commission launched an investigation into the selenium issue.

The report, completed by Burgess Environmental Ltd, focuses on the costs of treating half of the selenium-contaminated water from Teck’s mines, aligning with Teck’s 2023 water treatment plan. What makes the findings especially troubling is the significant gap between the estimated $6.4 billion cleanup cost and Teck’s $1.9 billion reclamation security, which had previously been considered sufficient for remediation. This shortfall suggests that taxpayers could potentially face a multi-billion-dollar burden if Teck were unable to cover these costs.

The report underscores the need for greater accountability and long-term planning to address the environmental and financial risks posed by the Elk Valley coal mines.

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Additionally, the Grassy Mountain Mine would span 1.8 km wide and 6 km long, causing significant land disturbance. The clearing of large areas would result in loss of biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and increased soil erosion from the removal of topsoil and vegetation.

These environmental risks to Southern Alberta’s people, wildlife, and ecosystem raise serious concerns about water scarcity, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

Crowsnest Pass Growth & Economic Outlook

Northback has claimed that Crowsnest Pass is a "dying community" and promised job creation and economic improvement. However, a Crowsnest Pass Municipal Assessor’s report from September 17, 2024, contradicts this. The assessment shows that Crowsnest Pass has had the largest growth among Southern Alberta communities over the past five years, leading in new housing developments and lot creation, tourism, not the proposed mine, is driving growth. The findings from the Sept 17th, 2024, Assessors Report found that from 2022 to 2023, the population increased by 1.87% (from 5,900 to 6,007). 

In June 2020, A Municipal Development Plan Survey with over 650 participants revealed:

Main reason for living in Crowsnest Pass: 59% cited recreation.

Characteristics that define the area: 93% valued the natural environment, 82% the small-town atmosphere, 67% its history, and 57% tourism.

Top-valued elements: 550 participants highlighted mountain scenery, wildlife, pristine rivers, and outdoor activities. Community spirit, peace and quiet, and clean air were also important.

These findings indicate that tourism is central to the community’s identity and offers significant financial potential.

Economic Risks of Grassy Mountain Mine

Northback claims that taxes will decrease if the mine proceeds. However, this seems unlikely due to the significant infrastructure required, including roads, a coal processing plant, water treatment, and transportation links to Blairmore. The cost of establishing the Grassy Mountain open pit mine is estimated at $700 million. Who will bear these expenses?

There are considerable economic risks tied to this project. Tax reductions and job creation depend on the volatile coal market. Geopolitical tensions, particularly with China, disrupt coal trade and pricing, while Canada’s 25% surtax on steel imports from China could further affect the market. If coal prices drop, anticipated tax revenues and royalties may not materialize, potentially leading to higher costs for local taxpayers due to increased infrastructure and service demands.

Tourism presents a more financially stable alternative for Crowsnest Pass. Revenue from local shopping, accommodation, restaurants, scenic tours, and outdoor activities (hiking, biking, golfing, and fishing) is a sustainable path. If tourism was identified as a priority in previous studies, why shift focus now?

Challenges to Employment Promises by Northback

Northback claims the mine will boost employment in Crowsnest Pass, but several barriers exist. The area has a 1% housing vacancy rate, meaning there are few homes for rent or sale. Where will these workers live, and who will pay for the necessary development? Additionally, there will be increased strain on healthcare, sewage systems, roads, and other infrastructure.

A key question is what kind of specialized workers are needed to run the mine. Does Crowsnest Pass have these skilled workers, or will they need to be brought in from outside? In Elkford, a nearby mining town, migrant workers from North Africa have been employed. How can we be sure Northback won't bring in cheaper labor from abroad?

With advancements in AI and automation, how can the community be guaranteed that jobs won’t be replaced by technology? Without expanding infrastructure to support a growing population, the region faces serious challenges, including housing shortages, insufficient water supplies, and overburdened sanitation systems.

Health and Environmental Risks of Open-Pit Mining

Open-pit mining is highly destructive, requiring the removal of large amounts of vegetation, topsoil, and rock, which generates significant waste, including selenium. This method also releases particulate matter into the air, leading to air pollution and associated health risks.

1.      Respiratory and Cardiovascular Disease: Exposure to particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5 small particulates that enter the lungs and cause adverse health effects) from coal mining can cause serious health issues such as respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and cardiovascular problems. Conditions like Coal Workers' Pneumoconiosis (black lung), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and silicosis—caused by inhaling coal and silica dust—can result in lung scarring and fibrosis.

2.      Cancer Risks: Particulate matter containing heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) increases cancer risks, particularly from elements like chromium.

3.      Selenium Exposure: High levels of selenium from coal mining can lead to selenosis in humans, resulting in hair loss, skin lesions, and neurological disorders.

Health Risks vs. Economic Benefits of Tourism

The health risks from open-pit mining are too significant to ignore, particularly given the thriving outdoor tourism in Crowsnest Pass. Events like the Minotaur Sky Race, which attracts 500 participants annually, showcase the area’s natural beauty and contribute to the local economy through grocery shopping, hotel stays, dining, and shopping at local stores. The Sinister Seven race, accommodating up to 1,600 participants, generates approximately $3,000,000 for the community each year.

Other events like the Mountain Bike race Bees Knees and Crowsnest 50/100 mountain bike races also bring economic benefits. Mountain bikers, who often stay up to four days, come from other provinces and cities, injecting money into the economy through accommodations, dining, and shopping. However, the health risks posed by inhaling harmful particulates from mining operations would make it unsafe to hold such events. The long-term health consequences for participants could deter future tourism and damage the local economy.

While exact figures aren't available, the Crowsnest River draws visitors from around the world, making fishing, particularly fly fishing, a significant contributor to the local and provincial economy. The river is highly valued both economically and socially in Southern Alberta, and it plays a critical role in supporting ecosystems with federally listed species at risk. Fishing activities generate revenue through direct expenditures, tourism, and related economic activities.

Future of Crowsnest Pass: Tourism Growth

Travel Alberta has identified the Southern Rockies Tourism Development Zone as a key area for growth. During a town council meeting on February 13, 2024, Terry Goertzen, VP of Economic Development at Travel Alberta, presented a report outlining the potential of this zone. According to the economic model, strategic investments in the Southern Rockies Tourism Development Zone could lead to a 5.1% growth in visitor spending, generating $260 million over the next 10 years and creating 1,874 jobs.

Tourism as the Future for Crowsnest Pass

In December 2023, the Crowsnest Pass Municipality released a community profile, "Invest Alberta," identifying tourism as the most competitive sector. The area’s natural attractions, like the mountains, have spurred niche businesses such as shops, eateries, and guide services. The report highlights the community’s focus on preserving natural beauty, promoting clean energy, and preventing forest fires and soil erosion.

Northback’s mining plans contradict these preservation values and the 2019 Heritage Management Plan, which emphasized protecting the area's natural beauty for a sustainable tourism future.