Latest News

sort by title • sort by date — previous 20 • top • next 20

Diversions and brokering: A glimpse into Alberta's water future?

APR 24, 2008

A proposal to sell off vast quantities of Alberta's diminishing water resources — the first of its kind in Canada — and massive diversions between river basins pose a major threat to Alberta's remaining supplies of fresh water, according to a report published April 22, Earth Day, by two respected environmental organizations.

Draft land-use plan for Calgary region unveiled

By WATER MATTERS — APR 6, 2009

The Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) draft land-use plan could have long-term ramifications for source water protection in the City of Calgary and across its surrounding region. The draft plan could represent a sea change in land-use direction for the Calgary area.

Drilling Below the Surface: Groundwater Risks and In Situ Oil Sands Development

By WILLIAM F. DONAHUE, PH.D., LL.B., SPECIAL ADVISOR ON WATER POLICY — AUG 3, 2011

The large majority of oil sands in Alberta are not accessible via mining and must be developed via in situ wells that use vast quantities of steam to heat and liquefy bitumen found in deep deposits. The management of groundwater in the oil sands region has received little attention, despite the fact it will have to support in situ development that is expected to produce three times as much oil as surface mines.

Drilling Down: Groundwater Risks Imposed by In Situ Oil Sands Development

PRESS RELEASE

By WILLIAM F. DONAHUE, PH.D., LL.B., SPECIAL ADVISOR ON WATER POLICY — JUL 21, 2011

Drilling Down: Groundwater Risks Imposed by In Situ Oil Sands Development, released today by Water Matters, provides clear, achievable recommendations for improving groundwater management, assessment and monitoring in the oil sands region.

Drink Creemore Springs Lager at the Ship and Anchor for the month of August and contribute to the Bow!

By WATER MATTERS — AUG 5, 2008

For the month of August at the Ship and Anchor in Calgary, purchase a pint of Creemore Springs Premium Lager and contribute a dollar toward healthy water in Alberta. For each pint of Creemore sold, Creemore Springs Brewery and The Ship and Anchor will each donate 50 cents to Water Matters.

Drumheller says no to supplying water to the Balzac development

APR 20, 2007

A controversial proposal to pipe water from the Red Deer to a development in the Bow River basin has run into a major stumbling block. On April 3, 2007, Town of Drumheller Council denied Municipal District of Rocky View's request to use Drumheller's water intake structure and works to withdraw water from the Red Deer River that would supply the United Horsemen's new development near Balzac, a few miles north of Calgary. The vote was unanimous. This decision places a significant, if not fatal, obstacle in front of the development already under construction. If Alberta Environment decides to approve the MD of Rocky View's licence application, the development will still be without a full water supply. Only if Rocky View finds another water intake from Red Deer (e.g., near Innisfail), or if it renegotiates with the City of Calgary, will the development be viable.

Eco-friendly Recreation

JUL 30, 2007

Every summer recreationalists take to the outdoors for the pure pleasure of connecting with the environment. Over time, the cumulative impact of recreational activities can significantly impact aquatic ecosystems. Fish, birds, plants and other forms of aquatic life require a balance of nutrients, oxygen and clean water to survive. Even small quantities of toxic products and disruption of vegetation and watercourses can upset this balance.

Edmonton and Area Land Trust Seeks Additional Board Members

By EDMONTON AREA LAND TRUST — MAR 22, 2011

The Edmonton and Area Land Trust is a conservation charity focused on protecting natural areas in the Capital Region. They are seeking individuals from a wide range of perspectives and expertise to join their Board of Directors.

The Alberta Land Stewardship Act should be improved not repealed

OPINION EDITORIAL

By JOE OBAD — FEB 14, 2011

Efficiency vs. Conservation

JUN 13, 2007

To truly conserve water we need to combine efficiency with conserving behaviour. For example, significant efficiency gains are possible with the use of low-flow sprinklers, but as residential growth continues there will be more and more lawns to water, and such measures simply amount to a "better way" of doing something that we should not be doing in the first place (Brandes & Maas 2006).

ERCB and AENV seeking input on Draft In Situ Oil Sands Directive

By WATER MATTERS — MAR 3, 2009

The public is invited to comment on newly proposed rules for thermal water use for thermal in situ oil sands recovery by no later than April 1, 2009. On February 18, 2009 Alberta Environment and the Energy Resources and Conservation Board (ERCB) proposed new rules designed to limit freshwater use by thermal in situ oil sands operations that will largely affect groundwater use.

ERCB exempts oil sand operators from meeting tailings pond regulations

PRESS RELEASE

DEC 9, 2010

Eroding Environmental Protection in Canada

By WATER MATTERS — APR 6, 2009

Environmental protection is being eroded in Canada - as are our rights to public input and transparent decision making. On March 12th the Canadian Senate passed amendments to the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA) that is expected to limit protection of rivers and streams nationwide.

Federal Commissioner finds efforts to protect fish habitat are inadequate

By WATER MATTERS — JUN 9, 2009

A recent report finds that the mandate of the Fisheries Act is not being met. The report was released in mid-May to the House of Commons pointing to issues that have remained unresolved over many years.

Federal Government Failing to Protect Fresh Water in Oil Sands Region

PRESS RELEASE

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.

Op-Ed in Edmonton Journal - Feds failing to monitor Alberta water

OPINION EDITORIAL

By BILL DONAHUE — DEC 13, 2010

Fisheries Act Under Scrutiny

MAR 1, 2007

A new version of the Fisheries Act threatens to take away Canadians' right to clean waters and healthy fish, warns environmental justice organization Lake Ontario Waterkeeper. Bill C-45 (the Fisheries Act, 2007) is being rushed through Parliament without proper consultation or deliberation.

Gordon Water Group releases Blueprint for Federal Action on Freshwater

DEC 10, 2007

A new report released by the Gordon Water Group presents a compelling case for renewed federal action on water. Recent announcements by government supporting the concept of a national water strategy has resulted in valuable, but piecemeal, project announcements, such as $18 million to clean up Lake Winnipeg under the federal Action Plan for Clean Water. Such projects recognize the void left by the federal government's retreat from freshwater protection initiatives over the last two decades. While these projects are sorely needed, they lack comprehensive nation-wide action and leadership necessary to improve Canada's sustainable water management.

Government Honours Conservation Holdback in Balzac Water Licence

OCT 9, 2007

On Friday September 28, 2007, Alberta Environment announced its approval of the water allocation transfer from the Western Irrigation District (WID) to Municipal District (MD) of Rocky View for 6700 m3 per day. However, Rocky View and the mega-entertainment complex will not receive all of this water. As a minor victory for the environment, 10% of the 6700 m3 per day will be held back, as a conservation holdback, for the Bow River.

Government report explores new dam opportunities for Alberta

By WATER MATTERS — OCT 3, 2008

Alberta Environment, under the auspices of Water for Life, released a report earlier this year to outline potential sites for on-stream and off-stream water storage across Alberta. In other words, where in the province would be good sites to build more dams?

sort by title • sort by date — previous 20 • top • next 20