Livability

Teck is currently in the operations/construction stage of the Environmental Assessment process for the Baldy Ridge Extension project to Elkview Operations (“BRE”). BRE will increase the disturbance area of this operation by 862 hectares and bring mining closer to Sparwood than ever before. It will contribute to sustaining mine activities and jobs in this region for an additional 25 years.

As part of the environmental approval for BRE, the Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) has included a condition related to the social and economic effects that this expansion could have on residents and businesses within the District of Sparwood. This condition, known as Condition 21, will be a big step toward understanding and managing the effects of open pit mining operations on quality of life in communities near these resource extraction activities.

The 2018 Socio-Community and Economic Effects Annual Report is available here.

The following resources are available on our Document Centre:

• EAO Environmental Assessment Certificate #M16-01 for BRE
• EAO Schedule A: Certified Project Description
• EAO Schedule B: Table of Conditions
• EAO Reasons for Ministers Decision dated September 19, 2016
• EAO Information Bulletin dated September 19, 2016
• Discussion Paper submitted by the District of Sparwood to the EAO on BRE

For more information on BRE, including inspection and compliance reports, please visit the EAO's dedicated website.

One of the stipulations of Condition 21 is for Teck to prepare a Socio-Community and Economic Effects Management Plan (SCEEMP). This Plan outlines how impacts of mine activities on economic effects, land use, visual aesthetics, and socio-community effects are monitored. It also provides an adaptive management process for addressing these potential effects. The SCEEMP is a living document that is formally updated every three years.

• Current version of the SCEEMP
• 2018 Socio-Community and Economic Effects Annual Report
• Minutes from the 2019 annual meeting on the SCEEMP Annual Report

The SCEEMP also refers to other management plans for BRE and ensuring that those plans are working as intended to minimize impacts on the community. The following plans are relevant to the SCEEMP:

The Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee (the "SCEEAC") is a select committee of Council. Our online Document Centre contains all the documents for the Socio-Community Economic Effects Management Committee.

View SCEEAC Agendas and Minutes here.

The SCEEAC will comply with Condition 21 of the Baldy Ridge Extension permit, and:

• Perform an advisory role, focused on making recommendations to Council and Teck for consideration with respect to implementing Condition 21;
• Provide a broad community voice;
• Act as a conduit for Teck Elkview Operations and DOS to reach citizens and for citizens to reach Teck EVO and District of Sparwood – and to build trust;
• Advise on engaging the broader community of Sparwood;
• Review results for other Management Plans required as per BRE EAC #M16-01; and,
• Assist in identifying on-going socio-community impacts and possible solutions for adaptive management

The Terms of Reference for the SCEEAC was approved by Council on December 3, 2018.

Membership

District Council appointed seven volunteer community members, as well as representatives of two from Council and three from Teck.

Councillor Joe Jarina

See Joe's bio here.

Jason Christensen

See Jason's bio here.

Mayor David Wilks

See David's bio here.

Don Sander

Don is the currently the General Manager at Teck’s Elkview Operations, a position he’s held since 2014. Previously he was the General Manager at Greenhills and Line Creek Operations, he has worked at all of Teck’s operations in the Elk Valley except for Coal Mountain. He is a long time resident of the Elk Valley, having arrived in Sparwood back in 1993. Don is a professional engineer and possesses an MBA.

Chris Stroich

Chris is currently the Environmental Superintendent at Teck’s Elkview Operations. Prior to employment at Teck, Chris spent 9 years with BC’s Ministry of Environment as a Section Head for the Kootenay Boundary Region out of Nelson. Chris moved to the valley in 2015, and has resided in both Sparwood and Fernie. Chris brings a wealth of environmental monitoring, risk assessment, permitting operations and management experience to the Advisory Committee. He sees the SCEEMP as one of many opportunities to further develop Sparwood as a diverse and vibrant community.

Nic Milligan

Nic is a long time resident of the Elk Valley, having lived in Fernie on and off for the last 49 years. Nic has been employed at Teck for 23 years and has held numerous roles including his current position as Manager, Social Responsibility for the last 11 years, providing him valuable experience to share with the other members of the Advisory Committee. Nic’s educational background includes FSS School, Lethbridge College Journalism Diploma, UVIC Degree in English & Writing and currently enrolled in Teck Executive MBA. He hopes the Advisory Committee can create a collaborative, participatory process that recognizes and incorporates the self-defined aspirations of the community of Sparwood & its citizens and that supports the continued sustainable operation of Elkview.

Alison Burton

Ali is a Plant Scientist and Professional Agrologist. Originally from Vancouver she’s spent the last 8 years or so in Cranbrook, and has recently moved to Sparwood as of Christmas last year. She has worked all over BC doing mine reclamation, and has been working for the Ktunaxa Nation Council for the past 3.5 years. Currently she manages the Nation’s engagement into everything environmentally related with Teck’s 5 operations in the Elk Valley. Ali is keen to contribute to her community, and is excited to dive into opportunities to enhance what Sparwood already has to offer and build new areas as well. She looks forward to exploring shared interests and values with the members of the Committee, and is hopeful that we contribute to positive change in the community.

Don Crawford

Don was born in Adelaide, South Australia and started early life on a ranch. Don's career has included operating and maintaining earthmoving machinery, supervising mechanical repairs on infrastructure projects, and even a stint with the Australian Army. He moved to Canada in 1972 where he took a job with a Caterpillar Dealership. Since then he has spent most of his time in Sparwood. Don has been active in the Sparwood community, serving 23 years as a paramedic. Don and his wife have three boys who were raised in Sparwood, and completed their higher education overseas. He is an avid traveler and always looks to bring back new ideas to improve our community. Don is excited to contribute to the important work the District and Teck have begun through his participation on this advisory committee.

Tracey Brook-Baker

Tracey was born and raised in Maidstone, Saskatchewan. She attended Minot State University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Biology. After University, Tracey moved to Saskatoon and later Regina where she worked primarily as a retail manager. She met and married John Baker in Regina and in 2011, they moved to Sparwood when John was hired at Line Creek Operations and Tracey became Assistant Branch Manager for the new Sparwood branch of East Kootenay Community Credit Union. Tracey is quite active in the Community as a member of the Lions Club, Treasurer for the Sparwood Food Bank, Director of the Coal Miner Days Society, committee member for the Terry Fox run and volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Campaign. She looks forward to joining the Socio-Community and Economic Effects Advisory Committee to further understand how the District and Teck can thrive together while protecting our environment and the abundance we’ve come to appreciate through coal mining.

Wes Pinsent

Wes Pinsent has worked in the Natural Resource Industry for close to 40 years. He has worked for Government, Private Industry and as a Consultant in various positions. He is a Registered Forest Technician with a very well rounded experience base. Applying practical solutions to environmental concerns has been a large portion of his work experience. Living in Sparwood since 1995, and previously in the Crowsnest Pass since 1988, he has seen the many changes that have occurred in this area first hand. The mining industry has been a big part of his life in Sparwood. He looks forward to applying his experience to help the Baldy Ridge Committee make meaningful decisions and recommendations.

Cal McDougall

I am married to Norma and we raised two children Adam and Layne here in Sparwood. We owned and operated the Express Mart Convenience store for 35 years and during that time I was an active member of numerous clubs and organizations. Chamber of Commerce, Golf and Curling club to name a few. I was proud to serve as Mayor from 1997 to 2005 and then again from 2015 to 2018. I am presently a Director of the Chamber of Commerce and the Sparwood Futures society.

One of the most important projects undertaken during my term as Mayor is the work on the Baldy Ridge Extension Project. I look forward to continuing those efforts as a member of the SCEEAC. I am presently retired and willing to provide the time commitment required to be an effective member of this committee.

Harold (Hungry) Baytaluke

Harold has lived in Sparwood since 1969, having worked in several different roles and sectors since then. He served as Councillor for the District for four separate three-year terms, and is currently a member of the Lilac Terrance and Sparwood Public Library boards. Harold can be reached at 250-425-2944 (home) or 250-423-9403 (mobile).

Project History

The Sparwood Livability Study is being undertaken by District as per the requirements of Condition 21 of the Environmental Assessment Certificate #M16-01. Teck is currently in the operations/construction stage of the Environmental Assessment process for the project. BRE will bring the operation closer to the community of Sparwood, and will increase the operation’s disturbance area by 862 hectares. The project will see mine activities and job creation within this region for an additional 25 years, producing up to 10 million metric tonnes of clean coal each year.

Project Scope

The Sparwood Livability Study will analyze and address quality of life indicators, will facilitate engagement with communities, and will study and define livability. The role of the natural environment in physical/mental health outcomes will also be addressed. Community input will help define livability and identify appropriate quality of life indicators, which must be credible and replicable over time. Once determined, these indicators will be applied and assessed in today's context. The study is also intended to highlight past trends and occurrences that have impacted quality of life across the community. Through best practice research, the analysis of existing livability studies in comparable communities and extensive consultation within the community, the process will result in a customized, innovative and responsive approach that meets the specific needs of the Sparwood community in general and the Baldy Ridge Extension Project in particular.

Details

• The District is undertaking a livability study with support from a consultant - Intelligent Futures, and Teck.
• This livability study and community feedback will serve as input for the District and the SCEEAC.
• A comprehensive engagement process has been developed to ensure everyone has a chance to influence the outcomes of the study.
• Resident participation is vital to the success of this process, area residents, businesses and community groups can ensure their priorities and concerns are reflected in the study.
• Participants will be able to share their ideas on what makes Sparwood unique, and ways we can ensure the community is vibrant and welcoming for generations to come.
• Community feedback will be reflected at all stages of the process through What We Heard Reporting and phased discussions.
• The permit condition requiring the completion of a livability study, is a first for Teck, and the permit condition is one of only a handful of such conditions across the province of B.C.
• The study process will include input from the SCEEAC, made up of community volunteers, District Mayor and Councillor and representatives from Teck (Elkview GM, Elkview Superintendent Environment, and Manager, Social Responsibility).
• This Livability Study is one requirement of Teck's SCEEMP. The SCEEMP outlines specific requirements for Teck pertaining to the Baldy Ridge Extension Project (BRE). The SCEEMP also prescribes an Advisory Committee, known as the SCEEAC, that is a committee of Council which will participate in the Livability Study and make recommendations to Council and Teck about managing impacts from BRE.

Project Documents

• What We Learned Report (released April 16, 2019)

Help us build this list! Have a question we haven't answered? Send it to livable@sparwood.ca.