Yesterday (Sept 12) you received email, Response from Govt to Saskatchewan Lakes dying from tarsands emissions? (2006-09-12)
CBC Radio (Saskatchewan) is breaking the story today. I’ve sent it to other media as well.
The full text of the Acid Rain report is at (Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) http://www.ccme.ca/assets/pdf/critical_loads_mb_sk_1372_web.pdf
“This year (2006) the Acid Rain Task Group (ARTG), a joint federal multi stakeholder working group received a contracted report “Calculating Critical Loads …” It indicates that certain areas of the province (Saskatchewan) are presently receiving acidifying emissions that exceed the critial loads; …”.
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This is third in a short series:
2006-07-10 Wow. Peter Lougheed speaks out, Tar Sands; plus LA Times & Globe & Mail on pipeline
2006-09-12 Response from Govt to Saskatchewan Lakes dying from tarsands emissions?
2006-09-13 continued re Tar Sands and SO2 emissions, Sask lakes dying
2006-10-11 re Acid rain in Northern Saskatchewan (Alberta tar sands)
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MORE, that can easily be done by us:
(1) Circulate notice of the Public Meetings in Alberta, on the Tar Sands.
They start today. Written submissions are accepted, too. Detailed information below.
(2) If you know someone who owns a cottage at a lake in northern Saskatchewan, let them know. Acid rain is invisible. Lakes die slowly and imperceptibly. They, and their Cottage Owners Association should be aware of this information. (You will be astounded by the number of Albertans who own property on Saskatchewan’s northern lakes).
(3) More important than cottage owners are the native people and others who live in northern Saskatchewan. Many are dependent upon the lakes and rivers. Much of their groceries come from the land, not from the grocery store. They should be aware that acidifying emissions from the Tar Sands exceed the critial loads.
(4) I would think that people in Ft McMurray might also like to know? Acid rain (sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide) affects more than lakes. It affects forest growth and human health.
(5) Media people in Alberta should be informed.
(6) You will have ideas of your own.
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PUBLIC MEETINGS IN ALBERTA START TODAY, SEPT 13, UNTIL OCT 4
Thanks to Susan Howatt from the Council of Canadians:
Sent: Friday, September 01, 2006 2:29 PM
Subject: Alberta Oil Sands Consultation Hearings
While these hearings are about the oil sands, it is well known that the oil sands are a very thirsty operation. The petrochemical industry freely depletes water at an astonishing rate and/or returns it in a polluted state to the environment.
The Alberta Government has released the dates and times of the Oil Sands Consultation Hearings. They are at:
Bonnyville Agriplex Sept. 13 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Peace River Travellers Motor Hotel Sept. 14 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fort McMurray MacDonald Island Pavillion Sept. 18-19 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Edmonton Holiday Inn Express Sept. 25-26 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Calgary MacEwan Conference Centre Sept. 27-28 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wabasca TBA Oct. 2 TBA
Fort Chipewyan TBA Oct. 4 TBA
You can go to: http://www.gov.ab.ca/acn/200608/2043864FA271E-F909-56EC-AA0C44163E40056E.html for the news release and links to the Oilsands Consultations website.
If you wish to sumbit a document in writing, you can mail it to:
Oil Sands Consultations
Alberta Department of Energy
North Petroleum Plaza
7th Floor, 9945-108 Street
Edmonton, Alberta
T5K 2G6
Or you can e-mail it to: oilsandsconsultations@gov.ab.ca
All written submissions must be in by October 4, 2006.
I have registered to speak in Edmonton on Sept. 26 at 3:00 PM. Oral presentations can be no longer than 15 minutes. The format is as follows:
Open house from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm – hearings from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm;
5:00 – 7:00 is a break and open house, 7:00 – 8:00 PM are presentations and an open house from 8:00 – 9:00 PM.