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Albertans Cheer As Strip Mine Is Delayed
by WCWC Media •
Friday May 23, 2008 at 04:01 PM
Edmonton - Groups opposed to a 312 km2 coal strip mine just south of an internationally important wetland at Beaverhill Lake are celebrating victory as the Dodds-Roundhill Gasification Project was put on hold today. Sherritt executive , Ian Delaney complained that uncertainty over greenhouse gas regulation are “stopping investment dead.”
News Release – Friday, May 23, 2008
Albertans Cheer As Strip Mine Is Delayed
Edmonton - Groups opposed to a 312 km2 coal strip mine just south of an internationally important wetland at Beaverhill Lake are celebrating victory as the Dodds-Roundhill Gasification Project was put on hold today. Sherritt executive , Ian Delaney complained that uncertainty over greenhouse gas regulation are “stopping investment dead.”
“Its sounds more like theyre scared of the growing opposition to this destructive project.” said Kevin Stewart of Rewild Alberta and the Wilderness Committee. “Grassroots co-operation between area farmer, conservationist, animal rights activists and others shows you can stop energy projects in Alberta” said Stewart.
The proposed Dodds-Roundhill Gasification development would convert coal to synthetic gas for bitumen refining. The proposed strip mine would require pumping large amounts of water out of the watershed to mine the coal. The mining process, and the fill used for reclamation can disrupt water flow patterns resulting in damage to surrounding wetlands and contamination of water supplies.
Beaverhill Lake, an internationally acclaimed “RAMSAR” wetland conservation site, will be destroyed if this mine proceeds. “As long as the coal is in the ground, the mine remains a threat. “ said Stewart. “Our efforts to protect Beaverhill Lake will now shift towards establishing Community Supported Agriculture and wetland restoration. The strong social and economic ties between Beaverhill Lake Area and Edmonton residents will also entrench opposition to future mining efforts. Fresh veggies and migratory birds beat coal dust and destroyed watersheds.” said Stewart.
The RAMSAR Convention on Wetlands, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an intergovernmental treaty which provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources. There are presently 158 Contracting Parties to the Convention, with 1747 wetland sites, totaling 161 million hectares, designated for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance. The RAMSAR mission is the conservation and wise use of all wetlands through local, regional and national actions and international cooperation, as a contribution towards achieving sustainable development throughout the world.
For more information contact Kevin Stewart – Alberta Campaigner tel: (780) 421-7335
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