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Management

Kakwa-Caw Ridge Management

The Kakwa is currently managed as a wilderness with the exception of off-road vehicle use to Kakwa Falls and along the Kakwa River to the BC border.

Caw Ridge is one of AWA’s long standing Area of Concern. AWA is seeking legal legislated protection and management similar to that of Willmore Wilderness Park which does not allow use of motorized vehicles or new industrial activity.

Caw ridge was once part of Willmore Wilderness, however was removed from the Park in the early 1970’s to open coal mines and build the mining town of Grande Cache. AWA would like Caw Ridge to be incorporated back into Willmore Wilderness Park and be managed accordingly.

History of Coal Policy and Legislation in Alberta

  • In late 1960 and early 1970’s, there was a sharp decline in coal mining with almost no exploration or mining on Eastern Slopes.
  • The 1970’s witnesses a resurgence of coal exploration and development in Alberta due to the opening of the Japanese market for metallurgical coal found in Eastern slopes.
  • Coal development switched from largely underground operations to predominantly surface mining (open pit ands strip mining).
  • With the increase in mining activity however came public concern over highly visible environmental impact and irrevocable damage to the Eastern Slopes.
  • The government refused to reveal conditions attached to coal exploration approvals (letter of authorization).
  • A large public outcry over the government granting coal leases and letters of authorization for surface mining exploration without public review.
  • In 1972, the Environment Minister requested the Alberta Environmental Conservation Authority (AECA) be put in charge of looking into conservation and environmental concerns of coal mining.
  • The AECA conducted an investigation, held public hearings and prepared a report on “The Impact on the Environment of Surface Mining in Alberta.”
  • In 1974, the AECA undertook a review of “Coal Exploration Policies and Programs in the Eastern Slopes of Alberta.”
  • The review found that because government’s approval of exploration does not require a full assessment of potential environmental impacts of all phases, incremental and cumulative environmental impact and piece meal development with environmental consequences are not being addressed until the development application stage.
  • The “Land Surface Conservation and Reclamation Act “and the “Coal Conservation Act” were passes shortly after the AECA review. The Acts however did not address the concern and conflict between coal exploration and development and other resource uses.
  • In 1976, the AECA did an inquiry and reported on coal exploration policies and programs in eastern slopes. This inquiry included site visits to exploration that had taken place on Caw Ridge. The AECA published its final report.
  • The AECA’s authority final report stated that coal extraction methodologies can have much more serious environmental, social and land use conflicts associated with development than other extractive and non-extractive industries. It is therefore increasingly necessary to maintain control of decisions regarding where, when and how coal development will be permitted in order to avoid conflicts and promote well regulated management of coal industry.
  • As a result of public concern and the AECA review, more stringent legislation regarding the coal industry activities was implemented. Some areas of high sensitivity to surface disturbance were placed off limits to exploration activities including Willmore Wilderness Park.
  • In 1996, rather than providing for public review of the coal leasing and exploration stages, the Alberta Government had begun deregulating coal exploration.
  • Under the Alberta Government’s new code of conduct, road building and other exploration activities applications were permitted without input from the government or the public, i.e. this new code replaced the requirement for government agency review and public notification of exploration activities and became a form of self regulation by industry.
  • Under these regulations, government intervention is required only after the mine activity is complete to ensure damage is reclaimed.
  • According to one government official in 1997, this regulatory change reflected a general lack of concern by the public in past exploration project.

 

 

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