Court allows massive mine on doorstep of Jasper National Park despite objections from feds and conservationists
Open-pit coal mine expected to destroy habitat for grizzlies and thousands of birds
Media Release August 18, 2005
Sierra Legal Defence Fund • Sierra Club of Canada • Nature Canada • Pembina Institute • Jasper Environmental Association • Alberta Wilderness Association
EDMONTON, AB - Canada's Federal Court released a disappointing decision late yesterday that will allow a massive open-pit coal mine development on the doorstep of Jasper National Park to proceed; despite serious concerns from conservation groups from across the country and officials within the federal government. The conservation groups are now reviewing the 45-page decision to determine if there are grounds for appeal.
Sierra Legal Defence Fund launched the court case on behalf of five Canadian conservation groups that are opposed to allowing the substantially revised Cheviot mine project to proceed without undergoing a new environmental assessment. The groups asserted that the project changed significantly since it was first proposed in 1996 and that an updated environmental assessment was required to address its effects. Read More