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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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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ERCB's noncompliance with oil sands tailings Directive 074 continues

By WATER MATTERS AND PEMBINA INSTITUTE — SEP 20, 2010

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New DFO report highlights the need for strict withdrawal limits on the Athabasca River

OCT 18, 2010

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Water Matters Announces New Executive Director and a Special Advisor on Water Policy

By WATER MATTERS — MAY 17, 2010

The Board of the Water Matters Society of Alberta is delighted to announce the appointment of Carole Stark as the new Executive Director and Dr. Bill Donahue as Special Advisor on Water Policy.

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Water Matters, Pembina and Ecojustice challenge Syncrude tailings plan approvals on basis ERCB not following Directive 074

By WATER MATTERS, ECOJUSTICE AND PEMBINA INSTITUTE — AUG 24, 2010

CALGARY – The Energy Resources Conservation Board’s approval of Syncrude’s tailings management plan is unlawful and must be revoked immediately, Ecojustice said today. Ecojustice, acting on behalf of the Pembina Institute and Water Matters, has filed an application with the ERCB requesting approval be withdrawn until management plans are brought in line with ERCB’s tailings management directive. (Full text of the application available here.)

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Alberta's wetlands policy direction puts thousands of hectares at risk

OCT 29, 2010

Government of Alberta chooses direction away from widely supported no-net-loss policy

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