The group trying to shut down the Province's efforts to allow open pit mining on the eastern slopes now can only watch and wait.

Renie Blades, and her husband Mac are one of several individuals and groups who launched a judicial appeal over the government's decision to revoke the 1976 Alberta coal policy without consultation.

They held hearings on the appeal the last two days and Blades says it went about as well as they expected.

"It's just hard to read. We thought our lawyers did a great job of presenting really good information. You know it appears that the Alberta lawyers did a fine job of putting their side across too."

She says now all they can do is wait for the decision.

"He (the judge) said that he would try to deliver a ruling in the next two months."

Blades, who owns the Rocking P Ranch West of Nanton, says if they lose, so do the thousands of Albertans who flock to the area as a recreation destination.

"People love the area they don't want it destroyed. And it will be destroyed and we will be locked out of it. If these coal companies get to go in there there will be no access to that area, because between where they're mining and that corridor that they keep as a buffer zone for themselves, there will be no traffic."

Blades says the outpouring of public support for their cause hasn't been a surprise to her.

"That's our main mission is to let people know. Everybody can come to their own decision. But there aren't too many people who think it's a good idea to wipe out one of the main recreational areas in Southern Alberta and pollute the water."

Blades says last summer the MD of Ranchlands installed a car counter on one of the access roads into the area.

She says they were recording up to 850 cars per day heading into the back country for recreation.

Blades says if the mines open up, that will all disappear.

 

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