Government increases restrictions on Eastern Slopes

By Rob Vogt Local Press Writer
The provincial government has kept the 1976 Coal Policy in place for the Eastern Slopes of the Rocky Mountains and increased restrictions on coal development on the Eastern Slopes.
On March 4, the government announced effective immediately, all new coal-related exploration and development activities in the Eastern Slopes are restricted. A new, expanded ministerial order will remain in place until direction on coal activities has been embedded in new or updated land-use plans to support the unique needs of the area. The reinstated 1976 coal policy also remains in place.
The expanded restrictions and enhanced land-use planning measures are a direct response to recommendations made in the Coal Policy Committee’s final reports.
The Alberta government accepts the findings of the Coal Policy Committee and will look to address its other recommendations by updating, strengthening or reinforcing existing regulations and legislation in the future. Input received through Indigenous engagement will also inform the government’s decisions related to coal.
From March to September 2021, the Coal Policy Committee heard from a diverse mix of Albertans and Indigenous communities. The committee carefully considered the perspectives and thoughts they received and summarized them into two reports:
• an engagement report that provides in-depth detail about what they heard
• a final report that contains eight principal recommendations and 20 related action items for the long-term management of Alberta’s coal resources.
Recommendations from the committee include actions to modernize Alberta’s coal policy, strengthen Indigenous involvement in land-use planning, review coal tenure and royalty regimes, and ensure any proposed projects are rigorously assessed using net benefit tests. The committee’s reports are available online.
Alberta’s government will address the committee’s concerns and recommendations about the long-term management of coal resources through existing and updated regulations and land-use planning activities, many of which are underway.
A new ministerial order expands the halt of coal exploration in Category 2 lands to also include exploration and development in Category 3 and 4 lands, as defined by the 1976 coal policy. The restriction on activity on Category 2 lands has been in place since April 2021.
Under the new, expanded restrictions on coal activity:
• All existing legislation related to coal activities and Alberta’s rigorous regulatory system remain in place.
• The 1976 coal policy also continues to apply across the province.
• Activities already in progress for active mines and advanced projects can continue, as can activities related to security or safety.
• Abandonment and reclamation activities can resume.
These new restrictions will remain in place until additional direction on coal activities can be embedded into new or updated land-use plans.
Land-use planning in Alberta considers multiple uses and the cumulative impacts of various activities on our landscape. Land-use plans are informed by comprehensive consultation with Albertans, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders.
Additional clarity regarding land use and coal activities will be put in place through an update to include the coal categories in Alberta’s Eastern Slopes policy in the coming months, and through the development of new regional, sub-regional or issue-specific plans. A mandatory 10-year review of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan, required by the Alberta Land Stewardship Act to start by September 2024, could also inform future changes. Public and Indigenous consultation is required to inform new land-use plans and any amendments to them.