2006-09-12 Water: Response from Govt to “Saskatchewan Lakes dying from tarsands emissions? “

Climate, Resource depletion (water in USA), Water Add comments

Sep 122006

“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; …”

———————-

UPDATE (Good news!). Please go to:

2018-08-06 Comment on “Estimates of exceedances of critical loads for acidification”, includes connection tar sands – nuclear – university.

The exceedances are not huge, and perhaps society will smarten up and scrap the oil sands before any significant damage is done.

———————-

I came to know of the acid rain effects from the Athabasca Tar Sands from a scientist who sat at the same table as myself, at the FSIN (Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations) Water Summit in June. The scientist (Stan Shewchuk) works at the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC). I like to converse – questions. He tells me (Lord, why not someone else?!) that the lakes on the Saskatchewan side of the border are dying from the emissions from Tar Sands development. He told me calmly, matter-of-factly. Good Gawd. (Sulfur and nitrogen emissions are carried by the prevailing winds from the northwest and fall on northern Saskatchewan. Think of acid rain.) Northern Saskatchewan is Canadian Shield, boreal forest, rocks, lakes, rivers, . . .

This is news to me. I didn’t say much. Too stunned and confused. And by the way, the lakes were pristine when he began monitoring in the early 1980s.

The next evening I stopped in at the Water Conference put on by the Partners for the Sask River Basin. And entered into an enjoyable conversation with a Sask Government official from the Water Authority (Murray Bryck). Turns out we both have a connection through … and so on. And on until, guess what, the lakes in northern Saskatchewan are suffering from acid rain from the Tar Sands. (I asked him whether he happened to know anything about this thing I’d been told; he said (again quite calmly), “Oh yes. That’s the case.” . . . What is this?! Two reliable sources. . . . What to do? (continued below)

==================================

This is second in a series:

2006-07-10 Wow. Peter Lougheed (former Premier of Alberta) 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 Alta, Sask officials discuss cross-boundary oilsands pollution (Sask lakes dying)

2006-10-11 re Acid rain in Northern Saskatchewan (Alberta tar sands)

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

THE PROBLEM is that “regulation”, such as it is, is done at the level of the individual smokestack. CUMULATIVE impact is not considered. So effectively, there is no regulation to protect against acidification; the Acid Rain treaties with the U.S.A. to reverse the acidification (destruction) of the Great Lakes do not apply on Indian lands (northern Saskatchewan).

We have participated in the stories – – ALL of these are of indigenous people whose health and means of livelihood have been tragically destroyed by the oil and gas (petroleum) industry. The acidification of northern Saskatchewan, with a deliberately-broken regulatory system, in service to Suncor et al, is just another chapter in the making:

the Aamjiwnaang (Sarnia) (2010-05-21) Important collection of information on water and disease. Petrochemical industry.

the Ogoni (Nigeria) (2009- Nuke) The Empires dissect us. Ogoni, Saro-Wiwa, Royal Dutch Shell, Niger Delta oil, local destruction and poverty.

the First Nations down river from Fort McMurray (2010-04-05) Tar Sands Update: Dr. Gina Solomon after May 03, 2010 Visit to Fort Chipewyan

(2008-11-09) Encana Tar Sands: Reply from RCMP. Rule of law?

(2011-07-29) First Nations win Federal Court case for protection of caribou in the Tarsands.

==================================

(What to do? continued)

Elaine Hughes sent an enquiry to the Government. Part of the response is in the pdf file, (today, June 10, 2015. Having trouble getting the PDF to upload).

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The following sets things out.

Update on email, 2006-07-10 Wow. Peter Lougheed speaks out, Tar Sands; plus LA Times & Globe & Mail on pipeline

EXCERPT

“If you look at the Tar Sands example, the Government of Alberta is collecting royalties of ONE percent versus typical royalty rates of up to 30 percent. With no costing of “external costs”. The Athabasca River is being depleted, contaminated water is going into vast holding lakes; the corporations AREN’T PAYING A CENT FOR THE WATER. The lakes across the border in Saskatchewan are dying because of the acid rain created by the sulfur and nitrgen emissions.”

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

The next day, SENT SEPT 11: (I was not feeling too diplomatic)

To: Ambrose, R. Min. Envir; Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca; Adele Hurley; Elaine Hughes

Cc: Sask Environmental Society; Sask Eco Network; Nature Sask; Nature Canada; Forbes,D. Min. Water; Ducks Unlimited Canada; Dr. David Schindler; Peter Prebble, MLA; Borgerson, L. MLA; Cdn. Wildlife Federation; Council of Canadians; Cline,E.Min.IR; Nilson,J. Min.Env.

I would like to draw to attention:

The last of the pdf attachments (514 kb) on the original email from John Nilson, Minister of Environment, states:

Shall once again a Government in Canada be taken to court for its failure to enforce regulations?

Also from the pdf file: “Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting has drafted the … study design.” I guess we really don’t need the Government.

Have we not learned enough about the deleterious effects of acid rain from the experience of Ontario, N.S. and N.B.? Why must it be repeated in Saskatchewan? While everyone sits on their hands?

Canada wishes to put pressure on the U.S. to reduce its so2 emissions. How hypocritical can we get?

http://www.ec.gc.ca/acidrain/towards_e.html

III “Keeping clean areas clean” policy

Ministers should endorse the “keeping clean areas clean” policy, which states:

In areas where an environmental cushion exists because pollution (i.e., ambient air levels or deposition) is below environmental limits, the consumption of this cushion will be minimized and opportunities for improvement will be sought.

Each province should develop the most appropriate approach to formally implement the policy in its jurisdiction by 2000. “

The reason for keeping the air clean is because it has been found that the acidified lakes are “stubborn“; it has proven to be difficult to return them to health. It is not only the lakes, but also the forests (and human health) that are affected by these emissions.

The failure to enforce regulations is criminal behaviour, in my opinion.

Sandra Finley

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

—–Original Message—–

From: Elaine Hughes

Sent: September 11, 2006

To: Ambrose, R. Min. Envir; Min@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Subject: Saskatchewan Lakes dying from tarsands emissions?

The Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

Rona Ambrose, Minister of the Environment

Attached is Saskatchewan Environment Minister Nilson’s reply to my query of June 29, 2006, pdf files 01 through 04 regarding Alberta’s tarsands.

It’s very unfortunate (and dangerous) that 1981 information is used as credible data…everything about our environment has changed enormously in 25 years!!!

Pollution doesn’t recognize borders; polluters (all of which have names and addresses) must be held accountable for the damage they cause other natural systems and people. Monitoring isn’t good enough …this issue needs urgent attention and action.

….then there are Saskatchewan’s own tarsands in the beautiful Clearwater River Provincial Park, waiting to join the frenzy!

Elaine Hughes

Archerwill, SK

===========================================

—– Original Message —–

From: Elaine Hughes

To: Nilson,J. Min.Env.

Cc: Dale Hjertaas ; Sask Environmental Society ; Sask Eco Network ; Peter Prebble, MLA ; Forbes,D. Min. Water ; Ducks Unlimited Canada ; Dr. David Schindler ; Nature Sask

Sent: Thursday, June 29, 2006 12:10 PM

Subject: Saskatchewan Lakes dying from tarsands emissions?

Hello, Mr. Nilson:

Would you send me any info the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority has on the extent of the damage being done to our lakes in northern Saskatchewan from the sulphur dioxide emissions from Fort McMurray’s tarsands, please.

Elaine

===========================

—–Original Message—–

From: Sandra Finley

Sent: 29-Jun-06 17:58

To: pfalvo@sierralegal.org

Cc: Elaine. CWVC Hughes

Subject: Saskatchewan Lakes dying from tarsands emissions

Hi Paul,

In case it might be of use to you:

from casual conversation with top Policy man in the Sask Watershed Authority, and reinforced through another casual conversation with a research scientist from the Sask Research Council:

there is enough chemical drift (sulphur and nitrogen) from the Tar Sands coming into Saskatchewan that the northern lakes on this side of the border are, quote, “dying” from acid rain.

I don’t think that people in Sask, in general, are being told.

And there are billion dollar expansions of the Tar Sands, as you know, in the works.

It was explained that the effect of the acid rain isn’t felt on the Alberta side because the Canadian Shield (Sask side) diagonals across Sask. When it is approximately at the border with Alta, it runs almost straight north.

So, on this side lake bottoms are rock. On Alta side they are dirt. In the dirt-bottomed lakes, the acid rain is neutralized by the carbonate layer at the bottom of the lake. Nothing in the rock bottom lakes (sask) to perform that function, hence the “dying”.

Elaine Hughes has requested documentation from the Govt. (Appended)

I am sure that Elaine will forward the Govt response to you, in case it might be of benefit.

Sierra Legal is my favorite organization.

Congratulations to you, on the great work that you do.

Sandra Finley

Saskatoon

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =