February 9, 2021
Promise & Ambiguity: Reinstating the 1976 Coal Policy
On February 8th AWA issued two news releases about reinstating the 1976 Coal Policy –…
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AWA believes that energy exploration and development must be regulated in a manner that is consistent with the maintenance of wilderness values.
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AWA’s mandate throughout its four decades has been the protection of intact, representative ecosystems across Alberta. In areas where economic development is integrated within a working landscape, AWA supports robust management, regulation, and enforcement strategies.
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We believe in a fundamental need for wilderness that is free of industrial incursion; a network of legislated protected areas is currently the only framework under which this can be ensured. Outside of such areas, exploration and development must be conducted in an environmentally responsible manner. Full-field life-cycle planning must be required for all new developments including phase-out, remediation, and reclamation. Adequate reclamation liability must be assessed on a per-project basis that accounts for all remediation and reclamation costs, and does not leave Albertans vulnerable to major financial risks.
AWA believes Alberta’s wilderness and natural capital are non-renewable resources of immeasurable value, and must be considered as such and given priority in land-use planning. An overarching land-use plan is desperately needed in Alberta to set targets for all sectors, determine thresholds and establish priorities for land use throughout the province. Conservation areas must be designated with legal protection.
When considering land disturbance impacts, the cumulative footprint of all past, present and planned developments upon the landscape must be considered. Energy development does not take place in isolation: it occurs on a landscape also impacted by forestry, residential and recreational developments. The combined footprint of all of these activities must be considered in planning decisions.
Collectively, we know that the economic value of the ecosystem services performed by natural ecosystems for humankind far exceeds that of industrial development.
AWA has been involved with Shell Canada as they work to restore landscapes once active with drilling and extraction; Waterton 12 is one such site (shown above). (N. Douglas)
Seen in the photo are AWA and Shell Canada employees discussing the process and early results of reclamation efforts at this site that has reached its full life-cycle. (C. Olson)
February 4, 2021
Creating a Silver Lining Out of Disaster?
Wild Lands Advocate article by: Ian Urquhart, AWA Conservation Staff and Editor, Wild Lands Advocate…
January 31, 2021
“Coal Hard Facts” in a Land of Make Believe
The Caucus of the United Conservative Party recently tried to defend the Kenney government’s decision…
January 19, 2021
Cancelling Leases, Pausing Lease Sales in Category 2 Lands – A Good First Step
Yesterday, Energy Minister Sonya Savage delivered a small, but important, reward to the thousands of…
January 17, 2021
Crunch Time for Re-Instating the Coal Policy?
This weekend might be an especially crucial time to email your MLA, Premier Jason Kenney,…
January 11, 2021
AWA Letter: Petroleum and Natural Gas Leases Offered in the Milk River Natural Area
The following letter is in response to the January 13, 2021 Public Offering of Crown…
December 24, 2020
Revoking the Coal Policy – Taking Alberta to Court
Alberta’s Minister of Energy was well aware that, when she revoked Alberta’s 1976 Coal Policy,…
December 4, 2020
Continuing the Sacrifice of the Eastern Slopes to Old King Coal
Yesterday, the Alberta government took another step towards turning Alberta’s Eastern Slopes into little more…
December 2, 2020
News Release: Wood Buffalo National Park Conservation Outlook of ‘Significant Concern’
Indigenous communities and environmental organizations say more action is needed Edmonton, AB – The ongoing…
December 2, 2020
Wood Buffalo Action Plan Implementation, Perspective of Local Indigenous Communities and Environmental Groups
Letter to the Director of UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre concerning Wood Buffalo National Park: December…
November 30, 2020
Meet the Australian Companies Behind the Grassy Mountain Project
Who are Benga Mining, Riversdale Resources, and Hancock Prospecting Pty Ltd? These are the three…
November 23, 2020
Adequacy?: Whitebark Pine in Benga’s Environmental Impact Assessment
“Adequacy” is a recurring theme in the Grassy Mountain Coal Project Joint Review Panel hearing….
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