Only two oil sands operations set to meet rules to deal with liquid tailings

By PEMBINA INSTITUTE AND WATER MATTERS — DEC 1, 2009

A comprehensive review of regulatory documents filed with the Alberta government suggests most oil sands mining operations will not comply with a new provincial law designed to limit increases in tailings, the toxic liquid waste produced by oil sands mining operations.

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Southern Alberta’s Water Security at Stake in New Land-Use Plan

By WATER MATTERS — NOV 30, 2009

As a series of public meetings kick off today in Calgary and Vulcan addressing land-use in Southern Alberta, many Albertans may be surprised to learn that water security is at stake in the planning process. That's the overarching theme of Source of Opportunity: A Blueprint for Securing Source Water in Southern Alberta, a report released today investigating the potential of South Saskatchewan Regional land use plan to protect water.

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Federal Government Failing to Protect Fresh Water in Oil Sands Region

By WATER MATTERS, ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE, KEEPERS OF THE ATHABASCA, PEMBINA INSTITUTE, POLARIS INSTITUTE, SIERRA CLUB OF CANADA — NOV 23, 2009

A new report by seven environmental organizations highlights some of the most compelling testimony from the recent federal hearings by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, and highlights the federal governments failings in protecting the water supply for northern residents.

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Looming water crisis under century old water system

By WATER MATTERS AND ECOJUSTICE — OCT 7, 2009

In a press conference at the Calgary Area Outdoor Council this morning, Ecojustice and Water Matters released the report, Share the Water, that proposes changes to Alberta’s hundred-year-old water laws and calls on the provincial government to adopt a more equitable and responsible approach to water allocation.

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Groundwater use in oil sands "unsustainable" — Natural Resources Canada sponsored report

By WATER MATTERS — MAY 11, 2009

A national report released today by the Council of Canadian Academies points out that groundwater use in the oil sands region is unsustainable. The report, commissioned by National Resources Canada, focuses on groundwater issues across Canada and evaluates current and emerging issues for groundwater protection. Over 90 percent of rural Albertans rely on groundwater resources.

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Proposed Land Stewardship Law Needs Strengthening to Ensure Results

By WATER MATTERS AND PEMBINA INSTITUTE — APR 28, 2009

A few critical additions, including mandatory public consultation and binding limits on cumulative impacts, are needed if proposed new provincial land-use planning legislation is to better manage development and its impacts on Alberta’s landscapes and communities.

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Voluntary agreement between Alberta government and oil sands operators lacks teeth

By WATER MATTERS, PEMBINA INSTITUTE, SIERRA CLUB OF CANADA, KEEPERS OF THE ATHABASCA ALLIANCE — JAN 27, 2009

The Government of Alberta has repeatedly failed to respond to questions regarding its ability to effectively monitor and enforce water withdrawal restrictions for oil sands companies, noted a number of Alberta environmental groups. This winter, water flows in the Athabasca River have dropped to a level where withdrawals by oil sands companies may increase stress to the aquatic ecosystem. The Government of Alberta announced last week that it would direct oil sands companies to limit their water withdrawals.

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New provincial land-use policy will affect Alberta’s water resources — supply and quality

By WATER MATTERS — DEC 3, 2008

The Land-Use Framework is being welcomed by organizations concerned about water resources. Water and land are inherently connected. The security of our water for drinking, aquatic environmental health, and for industrial and commercial needs depend on how we manage our land use.

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Learning from Balzac: Report highlights need for new policy on intra-basin water diversions

By WATER MATTERS — NOV 24, 2008

Improved policy to address diversions between sub-basins would help avoid negative impacts on the environment and communities.

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Strict government approach to water ‘reallocation’ decisions gets early support from environmental groups

By WATER MATTERS AND ECOJUSTICE — NOV 5, 2008

A draft policy suggesting Alberta will retain strong public control of its freshwater has won the cautious support of two environmental groups reviewing it. In its current form, the draft water licence amendment policy would prevent the Eastern Irrigation District from reallocating up to 900 billion litres of freshwater ­to non-farming purposes. The Eastern Irrigation District proposal sparked mass public opposition when it emerged in 2007 and has since been on hold pending provincial review.

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Government System of Land-Use Planning Threatens Ability to Protect Environment

By WATER MATTERS AND PEMBINA INSTITUTE — APR 16, 2008

The Government of Alberta cannot effectively manage the growing impacts of development on Alberta's natural resources without a new law that considers cumulative impacts and provides tools to manage growth effectively, concludes a report released today by the Pembina Institute and Water Matters.

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