I do NOT support the Tent Mountain Mine re-opening

I write this comment to express that I do NOT support the redevelopment and expansion of the Tent Mountain Mine proposed by Montem Resources Ltd. I live in southern Alberta and my life and livelihood will be negatively affected by the development of the eastern slopes for the following reasons:

1. Negative impacts on water quality and quantity: I live in one of many communities east from the rocky mountains that depend on the Oldman river watershed for living. We obtain water for residential use, agriculture, and livestock maintenance from this river. The Oldman river watershed feeds on many tributaries that cross the area of the eastern slopes where mining is proposed. The redevelopment of coal mines in this area would greatly affect both the quality and quantity of water in the Oldman tributary.

- Quality of water: Waste rock piles from coal mining contain pollutants like selenium that finds its way into the water and the environment trough precipitation run off. The high selenium levels that find their way into water and the environment are toxic for humans and wildlife. This is of special concern for species of threatened trout that live in the headwaters of the Oldman river. There is not a reliable/proven method to remove selenium from the water or contain the leak of it into our water. The area has already being damaged by other active mines close by that have not been able to control the selenium in water. There is no sense of putting this area and the residents downstream at risk without ensuring that quality of water will not be affected. We cannot rely in a method that might or might not be developed in the future because once we are being intoxicated by our water there is no way back. These environmental impacts are of federal concern and there is need for a federal assessment.

- Quantity of water: We have had very dry years in Southern Alberta due to climate change. The water is already scarce and projections suggest it will become worst as climate change progresses. We cannot afford to waste water in the extraction of coal. In addition to the effects of climate change, the cumulative effects from the destruction of the eastern slopes by removal of trees and development of infrastructure for mining (i.e. roads) will affect the water production in the eastern slopes.

It is important to note that the destruction of the eastern slopes by coal mines like the Tent Mountain Mine will not only affect water supply in Alberta. The residents of Saskatchewan and Manitoba depend on the eastern slopes water as well. By threatening water quality and quantity Alberta would be in violation of the Master Agreement on Apportionment among those provinces. Interprovintial impacts of this development are a matter that concerns the federal government.

2. Climate change: The reopening of coal mines does not align with the federal objectives to reduce climate change and its impacts. The aproval of this project will not only worsen the effects that climate change is already having in the southern prairies but the burning of this coal in other parts of the world will increase the release of gases that accelerate warming. Canada has pledged to reduce our emissions and this goes against that. There are currently many other solutions for steel making that do not involve putting water, our environment and our lives at risk.

3. Not economically beneficial: To calculate the economic beneficts of this development we must look not only at a local level but need to focus on the big picture. 1) The coal in Tent Mountain is not of high quality compared to other mines in the area that are already in production. Coal prices are also highly volatil and have taken a hit in the last years and will continue to take one due to actions to stop climate change. This mine was already abandoned once because was not economically feasible. The developers cannot ensure the mine will be open for a long time to provide for well paid long term jobs. 2) The effects of this coal mine on water quality and water quantity will increase health issues in people in the future. We will have to invest more money in health to treat this people. 3) About 90% of the water in the Oldman river is used for irrigation in Agriculture, one of the main economic activities in the prairies and a matter of federal jurisdiction. The negative effects of the mine on water quality and quantity will hamper this economic activity and the people in 3 provinces that depend on it. It does not make sense to put our communities health and livelihoods at risk for a few jobs that the company claims that will create. 

There was an economic analysis released in November 2021 by Jennifer Winter from the University of Calgary that found the net economic benefict of mining in the eastern slopes is minimal and not in the best interest of Albertans. I highly agree with that analysis and think it should be considered when making decisions of future coal exploration and mining.

4. Montem resources bad reputation: The company asking to re-open the Tent Mountain Mine has a bad track record worldwide. There is no legislation in Alberta that making coal companies responsable to clean up or reduce their environmental impacts. This lack of legislation is evident with the orphan wells present in Alberta that are now using taxpayers dollars for clean up. Approval for development and extraction of resources must be stop in every sensitive area as the eastern slopes until legislation to ensure the restauration and clean up is in place and proven to work. 

My concerns in this comments concern the Tent Mountain Mine but also extends to all the coal mines requests in the eastern slopes including exploration activities. The reasons that I stated make evident a federal review on all developments proposed on the eastern slopes.