OWC is pleased to welcome four seasonal Outreach Assistants to our team this summer: Randy, Jessica, Brandon, and Sydney!

The Government of Alberta (GoA) is proposing to remove the water usage limits on specific sectors and just have one overall limit for all types of use. The total limit of 11,000 acre-feet would still apply, but the majority of it would no longer be set aside only for irrigation.

“After extensive public outcry from citizens, ranchers, First Nations, environmental groups, municipalities, and artists, yesterday Alberta’s Minister of Energy, Sonya Savage, announced the 1976 Coal Policy was reinstated and issued a directive to the Alberta Energy Regulator….”

Over the past few months we’ve had an outpouring of questions and concerns about coal mines from community members. In this blog, we will answer the questions we have received most often.

Right now, the headwaters of the Rocky Mountains are a hotbed of controversy. The OWC is often asked about our position on polarizing topics as they are debated, and as decisions made by the federal and provincial government potentially have significant long-term impact to residents of the watershed. There are currently three main topics at the forefront of discussion: 1) coal mines, 2) motorized recreation, and 3) water allocation. Each topic is complex and affects residents—and the watershed itself—in unique ways. We will cover each topic, share the latest news and information, and outline OWC’s position in a three-part headwaters blog series. This blog is a primer for those topics and outline about what to watch for as we move into 2021.

There is significant interest in establishing coal mining operations throughout the eastern slopes of Alberta—the areas residing within the Oldman watershed are no exception. Currently, there are at least four companies exploring potential mining operations in the region.