OTTAWA - Federal environment minister Peter Kent today released a plan - integrating water, air and biodiversity - for oil sands monitoring. It will be implemented jointly by the Alberta and Canadian governments.
The first part of the plan, covering initial water quality monitoring, was introduced in March 2011. The release of the complete plan today includes components for monitoring air quality, biodiversity, and the next phase of water quality monitoring. The plan will provide the scientific foundation necessary to provide governments and industry with the information that they need to continue to ensure the environmentally sustainable development of this important resource.
Environment Canada says the Alberta and federal plans do not overlap, as scientists from each level of government will manage the areas best suited to their areas of expertise and jurisdiction.
Information about the plan is posted at Environment Canada's website, www.ec.gc.ca. Search for "oil sands 2011."
Comments
Chris Armstrong
BOY!! After 33 years of SERIOUS polluting operation IN THE “OIL SANDS”, doesn’t that just make us commoner Canadians feel all “warm and fuzzy” – NOT! As a former, 40-yr & 30-yr P.Eng. in ON & BC, I am appalled at the environmental performance of “BIG OIL”, the approving federal and provincial regulators, and the industry in general. And these same folks want to build an obscenely VULNERABLE pipeline across beautiful, EXTREMELY RUGGED, BC to the isolated community of Kitimat at the head of one of the longest, most SHIP-UNFRIENDLY fiords on BEAUTIFUL BC’s RUGGED COAST, whence to move their nasty crude oil in EXXON VALDEZ-style tankers to multiple clients mostly southerly and westerly of BC. And, let’s remember that, 22 years later, Prince William Sound STILL HAS NOT RECOVERED FROM THE WHOLLY, CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT EXXON VALDEZ FIASCO! (where are the whales in PWS?; dig a little on the beaches and you’ve still got EV oil!). Isn’t that a superb example of “BIG OIL” at WORK?! And, maybe we also should talk about the recent Gulf of Mexico “BIG OIL” DISASTER? CROWNING GLORIES ALL! And, let’s see, has ENBRIDGE had any recent spills? OF COURSE: apparently “it goes with the territory” – TOO BAD IT IS SUCH A BIG DEAL!
Folks, THE ENVIRONMENT IS VASTLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANYTHING “BIG OIL” HAS TO OFFER! LET’S HAVE A DECADE, AT LEAST, OF ZERO (that’s 00O.0) OIL SPILLS BEFORE ANYONE TALKS ABOUT OIL PIPELINES AND OCEAN SHIPPING IN “BEAUTIFUL” BRITISH COLUMBIA!! After all, we do have a responsibility to the next several generations! (not just ourselves).