Wildwater Archive
2012-04-19 ENGO News Release: Slow Down Oil Sands to Save Wetlands, Scientist Says
As development continues to destroy wetlands crucial to Alberta’s water security and climate regulation, a new research paper by a University of Alberta ecologist, Dr. Lee Foote, concludes that the government should negotiate mineable oil sands development limits. The paper cites doubtful reclamation success for the extensive peat wetlands central to that landscape. The Alberta Wilderness Association and Water Matters call on Alberta’s political party leaders to commit to meaningful wetland conservation measures including protection of boreal wetlands.
2012-03-29 Packed Crowd Attends Alberta’s First All-Candidates Forum
It was standing room only last night as AWA hosted a Candidates Forum to discuss “Water for Tomorrow” in Alberta. More than 125 people crowded in to listen to five candidates in the upcoming provincial election debate their perspectives on major water issues affecting all Albertans. The lively discussion was chaired by CBC Radio’s Donna McElligott.
2012-03-28 “Water for Tomorrow”: A Candidates’ Forum in Calgary on Water Issues
In recent years, many Albertans have been engaged in a number of important water issues and ensuring the security of our source water has become vitally important to each one of us. We believe there is both a need and high interest to discuss Alberta water resources policy and decision making. Panelists will discuss progress and concerns related to Alberta's water.
2012-03-11 Peatlands Destruction by Tar Sands Mines is Permanent: Scientists
University of Alberta scientists Rooney, Bayley and Schindler have released a study emphasizing that peatlands cannot be reclaimed once destroyed by tar sands mines. As they cover 65% of the pre-mining landscape, this loss will have far-reaching impacts on regional ecology and biodiversity that have not been assessed. This loss also represents a large unaccounted-for source of carbon emissions.
2012-02-03 AWA News Release: Beyond Monitoring - Responsible Management Needed for Oilsands Wildlife and Wetlands Impacts
Today, forty five years after the first tar sands mines started, the federal government has finally taken steps to introduce credible monitoring for contaminants and habitat degradation from oilsands development. Alberta Wilderness Association believes that long-overdue monitoring of Alberta’s oilsands impacts is a step in the right direction, but monitoring itself will not fix any of the issues which have so bedeviled the industry for the past few years.
2012-02-02 World Wetlands Day: Alberta’s Wetlands Need More Protection
There is no better time to think of the priceless benefits that Alberta's wetlands provide to us than today, World Wetlands Day. Why not talk to candidates about improving wetland protection in the upcoming election?
2011-10-13 AWA Calls for Conserved Water for Rivers
AWA and other environmental organizations release an open letter to Albertans asking them to support the return of some conserved water to rivers for ecological benefits.
2011-08-29 Public Involvement in Water Law Reform: B.C. and Alberta Compared
Wild Lands Advocate article, August 2011, by Michelle Morris. Michelle compares the ability of the public to participate in government water policy processes in Alberta and British Columbia. On which side of the Rockies do you think your voice may matter more?
2011-08-25 The Bow River Project
Wild Lands Advocate article, August 2011, by Brian Meagher. Trout Unlimited’s Brian Meagher focuses on the Bow River Basin Council recommendations with respect to the Bow – one of Alberta’s signature rivers.
2011-08-22 Draft Land-Use Plan in Lower Athabasca Weak on Land Outcomes
Wild Lands Advocate article August 2011, by Carolyn Campbell. "So far this plan does not appear to deliver on the Land-use Framework’s guiding principle to 'ensure this land - and all the activities it sustains - is managed responsibly for those who come after us'.”
2011-08-19 Linking Water Conservation to River Health in Alberta
Wild Lands Advocate article, August 2011, by Cheryl Bradley. Cheryl stresses the importance of water conservation to the health of Alberta’s rivers. She does this while introducing you to the water conservation, efficiency, and productivity plans developed by the urban, petroleum, and irrigation sectors.
2011-08-17 Water, Water, Everywhere...
Wild Lands Advocate article, August 2011, by Madeline Wilson. Madeline looks at the important contributions local and regional bodies may make when it comes to furthering the water conservation agenda.
2011-08-15 The Strains of Development: The Athabasca and the Oilsands
Wild Lands Advocate article August 2011, by Matt Dow. Matt takes you to the Athabasca – another of Alberta’s signature rivers that has been in the news because of society’s thirst for petroleum from the tar sands. Have the criticisms of government policies and industry practices produced any signs that the river’s future may be brighter?
2011-07-29 Drilling Down: Groundwater Risks Imposed by In Situ Oil Sands Development
Recently, Alberta ENGO Water Matters released a report providing clear recommendations for improving groundwater management, assessment and monitoring in the oilsands region.
2011-07-15 Red Deer River Water Transfer Proposal Rears its Ugly Head Again
A major inter-basin transfer of water from the Red Deer River Basin is once again being proposed by the Alberta government. The Special Areas Water Supply Project would remove an undetermined volume of water from the Red Deer River to be used principally for irrigation agriculture, as well as some municipal improvement and undefined “environmental” uses. The proposal would see Albertans foot the enormous bill for a low value, environmentally-damaging engineering project.
2010-12-21 AWA News Release: Water License Change Threatens Bow River
AWA and others are challenging a recent Eastern Irrigation District (EID) water license change that would let the EID act as a water broker and supplier without accountability for the region's aquatic ecosystem health.
2010-11-04 Alberta Wilderness & Wildlife Defenders - Wetlands
The Alberta government has just proposed a vague, weak provincial wetland policy rather than adopting the widely supported no-net-loss policy recommended by its own advisory group. Wetlands are key to Alberta’s water supply, water quality and wildlife. We ask you to please e-mail key decision makers soon to let them know that Alberta needs a clear no net loss wetland policy.
2010-10-29 AWA News Release: Weakened policy risks destroying thousands of hectares of Alberta wetlands
After years of delays, the Alberta government has dismissed the no-net-loss recommendation of its own advisory group and is proposing a complex wetland policy direction that risks the permanent loss of thousands of hectares of wetlands.
2010-08 Tar Sands Lobby: 1 – Wetlands Policy: 0?
Wild Lands Advocate article, August 2010, by Carolyn Campbell.
2010-06 Wild Lands Advocate Updates
Updates from the June 2010 Wild Lands Advocate. Climate Change and Water Withdrawals, Regional Watershed Planning and Grizzly Bear Threatened Designation
