November 1, 2011
Ottawa May Monitor Oil Sands’ Effects on Wildlife – Limiting Them Would Be Better
Wild Lands Advocate Article 19(5): October 2011 by Carolyn Campbell 20111000_ar_awa_oilsands_monitoring_ccampbell.pdf
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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)
November 1, 2011
AWA Position Statement: Pipelines
Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) believes pipelines pose significant risks to human and environmental health. Pipelines…
October 28, 2011
AWA Fights New Transmission Lines in the Livingstone
Wild Lands Advocate update, October 2011, by Nigel Douglas 20111000_ar_awa_update_livingstone_transmission_ndouglas.pdf
September 19, 2011
Wildlife Guidelines for Alberta Wind Energy Projects
The Alberta Government’s Fish and Wildlife Division’s Wildlife Guidelines for Alberta Wind Energy Projects 20110919_doc_srd_wildlife_guidelines_ab_wind_projects.pdf
August 29, 2011
AWA News Release: Updated Northeast Alberta Plan Confirms Weak Conservation Measures Favouring Oilsands Development
The Alberta government’s updated Draft Lower Athabasca Regional Plan confirms irresponsible tar sands development by…
August 26, 2011
AWA disputes electricity operators’ claim that a 30 km transmission route shift is mere project evolution
The Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) preliminary hearing for Alberta Energy Systems Operator (AESO) and AltaLink’s…
August 26, 2011
AWA News Release: Federal Government Writes Off Alberta Caribou- War on Wolves Goes National
A long overdue federal woodland caribou recovery strategy released today allows ongoing habitat loss at…
August 23, 2011
AWA at Hearing to Oppose New Transmission Line Construction in the Livingstone Region
AWA will today join local residents and landowners opposing rampant transmission line development in southwest…
August 17, 2011
AWA Wilderness & Wildlife Defenders: AB Coal Plant Approval
On August 10, 2011, Maxim Power Corp. was given final approval by the Alberta Utilities…
August 17, 2011
Coal-Fired Power Plant Expansion Approved
AWA letter to Hon. Peter Kent, Federal Minister of Environment to bring attention to a…
August 1, 2011
Draft Land-use Plan in Lower Athabasca Weak on Land Outcomes
Wild Lands Advocate Article 19(4): August 2011 by Carolyn Campbell 20110800_ar_wla_larp_ccampbell.pdf
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