Sent on Behalf of Blood Tribe Tribal Government and External Affairs, July 22, 2021:
On June 17, 2021, the Joint Review Panel (JRP), consisting of the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), released the Report of the JRP on the Grassy Mountain Project. The Grassy Mountain Project required a number of provincial approvals to proceed. The AER portion of the JRP Report concluded:
“In our capacity as a panel of AER … we deny Benga’s applications under
the Coal Conservation Act and related applications under the EPEA
[Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act] , Water Act, and PLA
[Public Lands Act]. Without approval of the provincial applications,
the project cannot proceed.” (Emphasis added)
Upon reviewing the JRP Report, Blood Tribe Tribal Government communicated to Benga Mining Ltd. on June 25, 2021, that the agreement regarding the Grassy Mountain Project was terminated. Kainai will not participate in Benga’s appeal of the AER decision denying approval of the Grassy Mountain Project.
Further, Kainai remains concerned about coal projects in the Crowsnest Pass region, and in particular on the headwaters of the Oldman River watershed, and will continue to oppose any other efforts to pursue coal mines in the region and we will also continue to make those concerns known to the Government of Alberta.
The complete update is attached for your review.
Stay Safe,
Blood Tribe Communications & Community Engagement
