1. New report from Water Matters: Increasing federal oversight of oil sands impacts to water

2. A different perspective on proposals to expand Alberta’s water market

3. Another delay for the Wetlands Policy

4. Your time to make a difference: please comment on the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

New report from Water Matters: Increasing federal oversight of oil sands impacts to water

A new report authored by Water Matters sheds new light on the significant impact that oil sands activities have on water resources. The report profiles key issues such as leakage from tailings ponds, wetlands destruction, water flows, and bird deaths.

The report, Watered Down: Overcoming Federal Inaction on the Impact of Oil Sands Development to Water Resources was released on November 23 by the Alberta Wilderness Association, Environmental Defence, Keepers of the Athabasca, the Pembina Institute, the Polaris Institute, the Sierra Club of Canada and Water Matters. Watered Down reviews testimony on oil sands activities made to the federal House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development earlier this year. The majority of testimony from non-governmental organizations, legal and scientific experts, First Nations and the Northwest Territories government suggested that the damaging impact of oil sands activity on Canada's water resources required more federal involvement.

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A different perspective on proposals to expand Alberta’s water market

One way to evaluate policy is to determine whether the stated goals reflect the public interest and are matched by real tools and management decisions. If the practical implementation of the policy does not uphold the goals, something is amiss.

This is precisely the conundrum facing readers of the November 23 Minister's Advisory Group (MAG) on Water Management and Allocation that provided observations and recommendations on how to improve Alberta's water management and allocation system.

The challenge of the MAG report is that a reasonable person who only reads as far as its recommendations might easily believe there is a correct balancing between the competing uses of water. Unfortunately, a closer reading reveals this isn't the case.

The MAG report's recommendations assert many of the right principles for securing water for human use and the environment. But instead of making direct choices to achieve these particular outcomes, the tools the report sets forth does little more than embrace ineffective tools being used under the current First in Time First In Right System. Meanwhile, the committee recommends a significant acceleration of Alberta's existing water market.

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Another delay for the Wetlands Policy

On November 20, Alberta Environment announced a new timeline for the completion of a province-wide policy to protect wetlands that would delay its adoption and implementation until 2012. The delay was outlined in a new plan released by Alberta Environment outlining actions on the renewal of Water for Life. The original date for completion of the policy under the Water for Life strategy was 2007.

A few days before the government's announcement, 10 environmental and conservation organizations sent a letter to Minister Robert Renner expressing concern in the delay with the policy.

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Your time to make a difference: please comment on the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan

Your chance to shape the future of Southern Alberta is here. The government will accept feedback until January 15th, 2010 on its development of the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan (SSRP). The SSRP will eventually become the legally binding plan for Southern Alberta, determining development patterns, conservation outcomes and the health of watersheds in the region. For that reason, it is vital that you make your voice heard.

Read on to learn how you can participate and for a schedule of open houses coming to a community near you.

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At Water Matters we apply our energy towards outcomes that enhance water security for all Albertans. As a small organization with little overhead, we rely on people like you for support. Please consider making a charitable donation to Water Matters today.