A federal-provincial impact assessment hearing into a proposed coal mine on the eastern slopes of the Rockies in southern Alberta is underway.

Bobbi Lambright with the Livingstone Landowners group says a number of groups have put forward some significant evidence and are planning to make submissions to the hearing.

"Many of them are very concerned about the degradation and risk to water quality given that this mine would be in the headwaters of the Oldman river system which supplies water to most of southern Alberta," she says. "There are several concerns there. One is the impact of the mine and the associated chemicals such as selenium that get into the water system can have extremely negative effects on fish, wildlife, migratory birds and even human health."

There are also worries about the environment and at risk species who rely on that habitat considering the high sensitivity of the area where the mine is proposed to go.

She says there are a few groups who are supportive of the mine project although most of those are focused on the potential economic benefits and are relying on the joint review panel to make sure other negative effects, like damage to the environment and human health are avoided.

Lambright says her group is supposed to present its case next week.

"There'll be four members of our group who are going to be speaking to the issues and concerns of our membership and in addition to that we will have four expert witnesses who've already filed evidence in the hearing," Lambright says. "The way the hearing is structured the expert evidence will be presented by topic so it'll be spread out."

The Livingstone Landowners group has many of the same concerns that other groups have put forward including the air disbursement of pollutants.

"One of the concerns that we have is this is an area that's prone to extreme winds and Chinooks and we believe that there are significant risks that pollutants and particulates will spread over very extended distances."

The hearing could stretch into December.

READ MORE: Livingstone Landowners Battle Against Mine

 

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