A local watershed group believes the Alberta government is trying to cover up the results of the Obed Mine coal tailing pond spill.
On Oct. 31, news of a holding pond at the Obed Mountain Mine site failing and depositing 264 million gallons of coal slurry into the Athabasca River near Hinton was released.
The spill is one of the largest spills in North American history and could be the largest in Canada, according to Harvey Scott, director of Keepers of the Athabasca: Keepers of the Water.
“The government is telling us the results are going to be kept confidential until the investigation is over,” said Scott.
“What they really hope is that Alberta citizens will go to sleep.”
However, Scott points out Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, has spoken out about the plume.
Alberta Environment’s position is that there is nothing in the plume that is harmful to humans.
“Fortunately, Dr. James Talbot had good integrity to speak out against that,” Scott said. “He has noted that the huge spill has very high levels of mercury and carcinogens.”
The Advocate contacted Talbot’s office; however, he was unavailable as of press time for an interview.
Scott said Talbot’s main focus is human health.
“What about those that don’t get the notices from the government not to intake water?” he asked. “We have talked to the two First Nations places on the river, and they don’t recall ever being contacted.”
Scott points out that the plume doesn’t just affect people.
“The point is that ordinary people, animals, cows or anyone else watering in the river, they don’t get that warning from Alberta Environment,” he said. “What about the moose, the plants and the animals who don’t know what the plume is and they just drink the water?”
Scott wants the results of the mine holding pond tests released.
“They still won’t fess up to the fact that there is all kinds of crap in there,” he said.
According to Scott, this is how the Alberta government operates.
“They refuse to give us the raw data,” he said. “We want the raw scientific data. They treat citizens of Alberta as stupid.
“Some of us have much more chemical and scientific education than the minister and others in the government. The point is, what the government has done is put a silencer on this.”
Scott anticipates the government is hoping Albertans will forget about the spill shortly and they won’t have to release the results.
“They release the press releases from government and industry saying there is no problem, no heath risks, and just go back to sleep and don’t worry about it,” Scott said.
Scott said municipal leaders are echoing the provincial government and reassuring constituents the water is fine, and this concerns him.
“That is the problem with Alberta: whether it is the tar sands or coal mines, they treat us very disrespectfully.”
Scott said this is a trend across the province.
“They won’t let us see the data, and they will go ahead and send out these innocuous statements saying all is well, when we know it isn’t,” he said. “It is a cover-up. It is a sleeping pill for the general public, and most of the public takes the government at their word.”
According to Scott, the public should be able to trust their government.
“In this case, we can’t,” he said.
Jessica Potter, spokesperson for Alberta Environment, could not be reached for comment.
“It is a sediment plume,” she said previously.
As for why First Nations and municipalities have been instructed not to draw water from the river when the plume passes, she said, “We have done water sampling, and our initial results suggest that there is no human health impact, but we would like to stay on that precautionary mode, just until the full analysis is in.”
Potter stated the pond held no toxic substances.
“The pond contains high levels of suspended solids, which include such things as clay and organic matter,” she said.
Aspen Regional Water Services Commission chief administrative officer Gary Buchanan said the commission is monitoring the situation.
Buchanan said there would be no interruption to water services for residents of Boyle, the Town of Athabasca or the county.
There is a 30-day reservoir of water the commission will draw from when the plume is passing. The town shut off its intake from the river Nov. 10.
The plume reportedly passed Athabasca last week.
The company that owns the mine, Sherritt International, is accepting questions from the community at 1-855-650-6233 and [email protected].
