Big Hill Springs Provincial Park

Rocky View County has approved the development of a 30+ year gravel operation close to the boundary of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park – one of Alberta’s oldest parks which attracts approximately 250,000 visitors per year. The gravel operation requires approval by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas.  The gravel mine is located on land overlying an aquifer that feeds a nationally significant thermal spring and Bighill Creek. There is community concern that the mine will irreparably damage the groundwater ecosystem, wetlands and tufa formations.

Bighill Creek Preservation Society is a non-profit organization with a mandate to advocate for the protection of the Bighill Creek watershed. The Society filed a statement of concern under the Water Act (Alberta) in January 2022 to oppose the gravel mine, and the Society is now seeking to appeal the approval issued by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas before the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board. The Clinic has been retained as legal counsel for the Society in the appeal proceedings. An appeal hearing date has not yet been scheduled.

This matter is ongoing.