March 8, 2015
AWA Statement of Concern: Shell Application for Lake Water for Fracking in Little Smoky Duvernay Region
AWA’s Statement of Concern to the Alberta Energy Regulator on Shell’s application to use up…
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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)
March 5, 2015
AWA News Release: Major New Energy Lease Sales Imminent in Endangered Alberta Caribou Habitat
On March 11, the Alberta government plans a major auction of new oil and gas…
February 20, 2015
AWA News Release: Alberta Steps Up Fracking-Caused Earthquake Oversight
On February 19, the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) ordered oil and gas operators in west…
February 20, 2015
AER responds to AWA concerns about Robb Trend Mine
AER responded to AWA to explain the future of hearings and opportunities for public comment….
February 5, 2015
AWA Letter to Premier and AER on Fracking Earthquake and Ecological Risks in West Central Alberta
AWA’s letter asks for effective cumulative effects management of serious and growing risks to water…
January 23, 2015
Letter from AWA to CEAA re: Robb Trend Coal Mine Expansion Project
Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is writing to provide support for an environmental assessment by an…
January 20, 2015
AWA News Release: Alberta Peace River Dam Project Cancelled By TransAlta
On January 16, TransAlta Corporation withdrew its application to the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) for…
January 5, 2015
Crowsnest Pass Coal Mining: A Deja Vu to Avoid
Wildlands Advocate article, November 2014, by Brittany Verbeek. The bird’s eye view of B.C.’s Elk…
December 18, 2014
AWA News Release: Alberta’s New Water Plan Pulls Back on Prior Environmental Promises
Alberta’s Water Conversation Action Plan released yesterday outlines intended actions on four water topics the…
December 17, 2014
Three Bat Species Listed as Endangered under SARA
The Government of Canada has now added three species of bats to the List of…
December 1, 2014
The Anthropocene Has Arrived
Wild Lands Advocate article, December 2014, by David Reid. Four billion years of Earth’s history…
November 12, 2014
ENGO News Release: Obed Mine Spill One Year Later: Groups Call for Charges to be Laid, Impacts Disclosed
It has been a year since the Obed Mountain Coal Mine disaster. The mine was…
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