August 2000 Vol. 8 No. 4

World Petroleum Congress Aftershocks in Albert a Six New Special Places – Mar recognizes important values

P&NG Sales Announced in Protected Areas Conservation Groups Take Action to Stop Leases

lberta’s conservation org a n i z a t i o n s adjacent the U.S.- border in southeast Development Department is not re q u i red to have learned the government is Alberta. Together with the tiny Kennedy notify the public and consider public concerns Ap reparing to sell industrial leases for oil Coulee Ecological Reserve, it was established to prior to putting an area of public land up for and gas activities within the Milk River Natural p rotect the spectacular Milk River Canyon and sale as a petroleum lease. A rea and the recently established Chinchaga the associated native, dry mixed-grass prairie. “The government claims Special Places Wildland Park. The Alberta Wi l d e r n e s s As part of the government’s Special Places 2000 sites, our parks and natural areas, are pro t e c t e d Association, Canadian Parks and Wi l d e r n e s s p rogram, Chinchaga Wildland Park was for future generations. They’re certainly not if Society – Edmonton Chapter, and Federation of established to protect a piece of the foothills the government keeps selling industrial leases Alberta Naturalists have written the and is located about 200 kms northwest of in them,” states Sam Gunsch at the Edmonton E n v i ronment and Resource Development min- Grand Prairie. Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wi l d e r n e s s isters asking them to abandon the pro p o s e d “These aff ronts by government and S o c i e t y. sale. They have also notified the Alberta Energ y industry to parks and other protected areas in The conservation groups point out that and Utilities Board that they will be re q u e s t i n g Alberta have to stop,” insists Cliff Wa l l i s , when the government brought it’s Special Places public hearings should their efforts to stop the p resident of the Alberta Wi l d e r n e s s policy into effect in 1995, all existing protected sale fail and companies purchasing the leases Association. “We take no comfort in the areas, such as Milk River, as well as future ones p roceed with applications to the Board for government’s potential stipulation that surface were put at risk of no longer being protected. drilling. They are initiating efforts to re a c h access will not be permitted with these The policy overview says Special Places, potential buyers to advise them not to purc h a s e p e t roleum leases.” including existing parks and Natural Areas, will the leases due to the status of the The conservation groups say it is possible “allow for a considerable range of uses: livestock sites. Local conservation groups are also oppos- that in advertising or “posting” the leases for grazing, oil and gas development, recreation ing the sale of industrial leases. sale, the government will tell potential buyers and tourism development, and cultural and One or more petroleum companies have that surface access, such as roads, will not be heritage appreciation.” requested that the petroleum rights in the park permitted. They point out, however, that such a and natural area be put up for sale. The names restriction is not legally binding. Because G roups participating in this action include: of the companies are not publicly available. p rovincial park and natural area legislation in Albertans for a Wild Chinchaga, The sale is to occur this August or September. Alberta does not rule out the clearing of seismic Alberta Wilderness Association, The proposed sale covers approximately 16 lines, building of roads, and drilling, there is no Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society sections of the Milk River Natural A rea or 41 guarantee that the bureaucracy won’t change -Edmonton Chapter, k m2 of the 53 km2 natural area and about 34 the initial restriction. Furthermore, no public Federation of Alberta Naturalists, sections or 88 km2 of the 803 km2 C h i n c h a g a notification is re q u i red should they decide to Grassland Naturalists, Wildland Park. The Natural A rea is located change the restriction, just as the Resourc e Southern Alberta Environmental Gro u p EDITOR/PROJECT MANAGER CONTENTS Wendy Adams ASSISTANT EDITOR Joyce Hildebrand

ADVISORY COMMITTEE PROVINCE ANNOUNCES P&NG LEASE Cliff Wallis, Vivian Pharis, SALES IN PROTECTED AREAS Peter Sherrington, 1 Conservation Groups Take Action to Stop Leases Stephen Legault in Milk River and Chinchaga DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Chuck Herr

CONTRIBUTORS BEYOND CHEVIOT John Geary, Mike Nickerson, Alberta Conservation Groups Announce New David J. Parker, Wendy Adams, Ayal Dinner, Dianne Pachal, Campaign Focus 3 Cliff Wallis, Peter Lee 4 6 CANADIAN FORESTS IN GRAVE DANGER PRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS Onjo Design State of Canadian Forests Much Worse Than Previously Thought LITHOGRAPHY AND PRINTING Ca l g a r y Colorpress on recycled paper with vegetable oil based, biodegradable inks.

COUNTER CONFERENCE DECLARES Writers and editors appreciate your comments and feedback. Please refer to PRESENT LIFESTYLE UNSUSTAINABLE the Wild Lands Advocate in the subject 4 “Widening Peoples’ Choices: For a Just and line of your email message. Sustainable Future” Sign-on Declaration Email: [email protected]

TO ADVERTISE in our next issue, CONSERVATION GROUPS LOBBY CEO’S contact (403) 283-5839. FOR WILDERNESS PROTECTION SUBSCRIPTIONS Petroleum Industry Urged to Sign on To subscribe to the Wild Lands Advocate, send $25 to: Alberta Wilderness Association, P.O. Box 6398, Station D, 76 LETTERS Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 Spray Lakes Park Proposal Praised WILD LANDS ADVOCATE MISSION 5 To provide readers with accurate, current and insightful coverage of wilderness and conservation issues SIX NEW SPECIAL PLACES SITES related to Alberta's wild places and public lands, which will stimulate RECOGNIZE IMPORTANT VALUES personal action on behalf of Alberta's 6 “Still lots of work to be done” wildlands, wild rivers and wildlife. SUBMISSIONS Although most of our articles are ASSOCIATION NEWS assigned, unsolicited contributions (manuscripts, photos, artwork) are Wilderness Resource Centre Open for Business welcomed, with the understanding that 7 the AWA cannot be held responsible for loss or damage. Enclose a self- addressed stamped envelope to ensure DECISION MAKING AS IF SOCIETY AND the return of unsolicited material. Guidelines for contributors available ENVIRONMENT MATTERED upon request. 7 8 The “Canada Well-Being Measurement Act” DEADLINE September 6, 2000

A L B E R TA WILDERNESS ASSOCIAT I O N EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER albertawilderness.ab.ca The opinions expressed by the various authors throughout this publication are DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE CALGARY/PROVINCIAL OFFICE SOUTHERN ALBERTA not necessarily those of the editors or of Bob Campbell - Lethbridge PRESIDENT Phone: (403) 283-2025 CHAPTER the Alberta Wilderness Association. The Vivian Pharis - Cochrane Cliff Wallis - Calgary Fax: (403) 270-2743 Phone: (403) 627-4106 editors reserve the right to edit, reject or Christyann Sloan - Calgary Email: [email protected] Box 2631 withdraw articles submitted. 1ST VICE PRESIDENT Clint Docken - Calgary Alberta Wilderness Resource Centre Pincher Creek, AB T0K 1W0 Stephen Legault - Harvey Heights Jane Kennedy - Calgary 455 - 12 Street N.W. Richard Secord - Edmonton 2ND VICE PRESIDENT Calgary, Alberta, Canada EDMONTON/NORTHERN Wendy Adams - Calgary Mailing Address ALBERTA CHAPTER PAST PRESIDENT P.O. Box 6398, Stn. D Phone: (780) 988-5487 Peter Sherrington - Cochrane Calgary, AB T2P 2E1 Box 52194 Garneau Postal Outlet The Alberta Wilderness Association has five scheduled Edmonton, AB T6G 2T5 meetings of its provincial Executive and Board of Directors per ye a r . Policies, issues, concerns, programs and strategies are discussed and decided at these meetings. Any interested AWA members are welcome to attend as guests. Please contact the provincial office, at 283-2025, to get confirmation of the date and location of the meetings, as well as to carpool. Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 485535 • ISSN# 1192 6287

2 Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000 B eyond Chev i ot

Alberta Conservation G roups Announce New Campaign Focus

AWA Press Release onservation organizations an- Legal Defence Fund, their successful nounced a new focus in their lawsuit against the first federal approval Cf o u r-year campaign to stop the for the mine brought about the p roposed Cheviot mine. They say new supplemental hearing. evidence presented in March and April T h rough a slideshow and pre - to the Review Panel assessing Cheviot sentation, Ben Gadd, naturalist and shows that the open-pit mine pro p o s a l author of the Handbook of the Canadian should be abandoned for a more envi- Rockies, gave the public a first-hand look ronmentally sustainable development at the focus of the new campaign. s t r a t e g y. The AWA Coalition is asking Recommendations of the Ecological that existing and imminent federal and Integrity Panel have been endorsed by p rovincial programs be used to help Heritage Minister Sheila Copps and will Hinton and area plan a more enviro n- play a significant role in the Coalition’s mentally sustainable future. Their goal is campaign. to protect the integrity of Jasper National The Review Panel heard three new Park by establishing a pro v i n c i a l sets of key evidence and re c o m - Wildland Park encompassing the critical mendations about the mine’s ecological wildlife habitat of the Mountain Park area . impact, economics, and health risks. For example, they regard the area as Parks Canada identified the western a priority place for investment of the $85 third of the proposed mine as prime million recommended by the Panel on habitat that should be the Ecological Integrity of Canada’s maintained along with three other areas National Parks. Funds would be in the region. Parks Canada’s very direct available over the next five years for final presentation again warned the s t e w a rdship initiatives in the gre a t e r mine threatens the integrity of Jasper ecosystems the national parks are part National Park and its wildlife, of. Over the next few months, they plan indicating the new information made to meet with community leaders and them even more concerned about this federal and provincial decision-makers threat than at the hearings in Feburary about implementing the conservation 1998. New economic analysis revealed it Canadian Forests in Grave Danger recommendations presented by various is highly unlikely the mine will be built participants in the hearing. given the declining current and future State of Canadian forests much worse “The cumulative harm of industrial markets for the Cheviot type of coal and than previously thought activity in the region and the proposed the cost of the mine. Economically, the Cheviot mine added to this are a prime option of leaving the wildland example of what the Integrity Report is undisturbed versus the option of World Resources Institute and “kraft pulp mills, in which Alberta has so sounding the alarm about,” explains p roceeding with the mine are of Global Forest Watch heavily invested, are losing market share Dianne Pachal of the Alberta Wilderness comparable value to Alberta. Lastly, the eter Lee, a World Wildlife Fund to much more efficient CTMP mi l l s . ” Association. “Albertans have a re a l mine would open a Pandora’s box of biologist, presented damning con- C o n f e rence delegates were intro - opportunity to turn things around and risks to human and enviro n m e n t a l Pclusions from a newly re l e a s e d duced to new, on-the-market, high- the Cheviot hearing has given us the health. Mining in the same geological report on the state of Canadian forests to quality papers from two separate information to act on. Grande Cache is formation downstream at Luscar has delegates of the Alberta Enviro n m e n t nontimber sources: bagass (sugar cane already facing a future without a coal caused selenium levels to exceed safety Network’s Annual General Meeting & waste) and straw. Although more mine head on by exploring their natural guidelines in streams and the man-made A s s e m b l y, May 26-28. Fifty delegates expensive than traditional paper, “prices amenity options, such as tourism, and lake, and in fish. A fish consumption re p resenting more than 30 A l b e r t a should become competitive as markets encouraging retirees to move to the area advisory was issued by Alberta Health ENGOs were in attendance. gr ow” was the assessment of Marga re t for its mountain scenery, clean air and in February. The Report entitled “Canada’s Ch a n d l e r , editor of En c o m p a s s ma g a z i n e . water, and wilderness next door.” The Review Panel’s second report is Forests at a Crossroads: An Assessment The coalition believes abandonment pending, with such reports usually in the Year 2000” is a joint effort of the Report Highlights of the mine for an enviro n m e n t a l l y issued within three months of the close World Resources Institute of Canada’s Forests at a Crossroads: An sustainable development plan has now of the public hearings. The first review Washington, D.C. and Global Fore s t Assessment in the Year 2000 become a necessity as the global coal failed to address the cumulative impacts Watch Canada and is the most thorough • Within Canada, Alberta is second markets make its development very on critical wildlife habitat and examination of its kind to date. only to Prince Edward Island in unlikely and cumulative eff e c t s e n d a n g e red species of the pro p o s e d The Report states that “Canada percent of the province converted information presented at the hearing mine in combination with logging, oil maintains its lead as the world’s largest from forested lands to nonforested shows the region’s grizzly bears are and gas, and other mines in the region. timber exporter through logging of old lands due to human-caused changes headed for a crisis due to lost habitat. At Luscar’s May 11 annual meeting, g rowth and primary forests, which (page 29). As well, on May 2, the Federal President and CEO Gordon Ulrich told account for 90 percent of the harvest. • Within Canada, Alberta is second Court issued an Order formally s h a reholders that the company’s Fully 80 percent of the annual harvest is only to New Brunswick in percent of preventing the company from acting on decision on proceeding with the Cheviot still by the way of clear cuts.” its forests “accessed” due to linear the second of the two authorizations it mine will depend entirely on the Furthermore, Mr. Lee informed listen- disturbances (page 29). had received for commencement of the international market. ers, “the southern Canadian forests are • Fifty years ago, the forests of Alberta mine development. The Order remains “Issuing an approval for the mine virtually depleted, so the large timber were still mostly free of roads and in effect until the Panel issues its with the hope that the mine will not companies are pushing further north in other linear disturbances versus supplemental report and federal happen anyhow is still a bad scenario a search for new fibre.” Having signed n o w, when industrial access has Cabinet has made a decision on the new for the region,” comments Sam Gunsch many international agreements with fragmented Alberta’s forests into information and recommendations. of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness e n v i ronmental implications and com- small patches (page 30). The AWA Coalition consists of the Society. “As long as a permit for a mine mitments, “Canada is not fulfilling its • Only six percent of Alberta’s forests Alberta Wilderness A s s o c i a t i o n , remains there, it will be a roadblock to obligations and promises to the rest of are left in patches greater than 9 km2, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, better protection for wildlife, Jasper, and the world,” said Mr. Lee, President of and these patches have a mean size Jasper Environmental Association, and an enlarged provincial park, just as Global Forest Watch Canada. of only 64 km2 (page 30). Pembina Institute for A p p ro p r i a t e the present coal lease held back Aw a rd-winning, B.C. forest cam- • The vast majority of the frag- Development. Together with the consideration of the area under paigner Colleen McCrory of the Valhalla mentation has been due to the oil Canadian Nature Federation and Alberta’s Special Places 2000 program Wilderness Society, keynote speaker of and gas industry. represented by lawyers with the Sierra for park establishment.” the weekend conference, stated that

Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000 3 Industry CEOs Urged to Lobby for Wilderness Protection AWA and Federation of Alberta p rovincial government have so far Naturalists Press Release ignored that agreement. lberta conservation groups have This spring, a spokesperson for the u rged the province’s top ten Canadian Association of Petro l e u m Apetroleum industry chief execu- Producers proposed that it might take a tive officers (CEOs) to take advantage of h u n d red years to phase oil and gas the World Petroleum Congress (WPC) developments out of provincial pro - by acting on their industry’s stated envi- tected areas such as new Special Places ronmental protection policies. In May sites. the groups asked the CEOs to sign a joint “Despite the petroleum industry’s letter to Premier Klein to take action to general policies and promises, local p rotect Alberta’s best remaining wild people in the Special Places process saw lands under the Special Places program oil and gas companies lobby against Counter Conference Declares and stop further petroleum develop- every specific big wilderness site. The ment in the sites. World Petroleum Congress is an “ P remier Klein promised Special opportunity for these CEOs to commit to Present Lifestyle Unsustainable Places 2000 would enlarge and complete specific actions, beyond the general Alberta’s protected areas network. On principles. Our letter about specific action Ayal Dinner, Sierra Youth Coalition paper the petroleum industry has items essentially requested a show of elow is the declaration that was written by a group of participants and pre- reiterated its support for Special Places, good faith from the leaders of Al b e r t a ’ s senters at the teach-in: “Widening Peoples’ Choices: For A Just and but on the ground the companies and most powerful corporate sector, but just BSustainable Future” held in Calgary, June 9 &10, 2000. The teach-in and dec- the government continue to use one of them sent a partial endorsement to laration are in response to the World Petroleum Congress. The Sierra Yo u t h petroleum leases to block adequate ha- the prem i e r ,” said Glen Semenchuck. Coalition invites individuals, groups, organizations, and so forth, to sign on. It is bitat protection for endangered animals Only about one percent of the our hope that this declaration will be used as a document supporting campaigns, like woodland caribou,” said Dianne p rovince has been established as to be included in media correspondence, and in any way that will help with social Pachal, conservation manager for the designated protected areas during the and environmental justice campaigns and related advocacy and actions. AWA. “These CEOs need to bring their last decade including sites under the Please distribute this widely and feel free to use it within press releases and companies’ actions in line with their Alberta government’s Special Places other media. promises to protect Alberta’s wildlife. p rogram. Many remain open for Please email or call me (my info is below) to sign on to the declaration. The They hold enormous power in Alberta industrial use. A c c o rding to the sooner the better, as we can then release it as officially supported by a certain that could make wilderness protection E n v i ronment Department studies, the number of groups with names included, which will give it more weight. happen if they wanted to.” government land-base targets have been Glen Semenchuk, executive director capped too low for wildlife needs, P.S. To those of you involved in the teach-in, thankyou for helping to make it an of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists, recreation, and ecotourism demand. For incredible event! said, “Back at the launch of Special example, Special Places has been capped Places in 1995, the oil and gas com- to protect only two percent of the panies claimed to want certainty about Foothills Natural Region, leaving 98 which areas were protected, so they p e rcent open for oil and gas Widening Peoples’ Choices could avoid valley-by-valley, site-by-site development and other industrial uses. opposition. We took them at their word. The foothills provide important habitat But given their track record in Special for the endangered woodland caribou, for a Just and Sustainable Future Places and this weak response to take grizzly, and songbird populations. A parallel conference organized by young people concerned with their future on action now, I really have to question Alberta’s petroleum industry has the occasion of the World Petroleum Congress 2000. how serious they are.” already caused significant degradation C o u n t e r- c o n f e rence participants, organizers, and presenters included Pachal said “All the oil and gas to the province’s parks and other public human rights activists, labour representatives, students, environmental activists, companies refused to indicate specific lands. Based on statistics and analysis scientists, business people, and the general public. We heard from those directly support for protecting any of the ten key f rom the provincial Enviro n m e n t impacted by the oil industry, who related how the oil and gas industry ecological areas, either in whole or in Department, the ecological integrity of negatively affects communities as close as the Lubicon Cree in part. The CEO’s position seems best some parks has been heavily degraded and as far away as the Ogoni people of Nigeria. But we also discovered that we reflected in the response we received by the petroleum industry, and new are all adversely affected by fossil fuels for the following reasons: from Jim Buckee, president and CEO of Special Places sites will see more 1. Human rights abuses and cultural devastation at the hands of oil developers. Talisman Energy who responded by p e t roleum development: Slave Lake 2. Environmental destruction on a local, regional, national and international saying ‘I do not support the three more- P rovincial Park has 100 petro l e u m level. specific requests outlined in your draft wellsites in 61 km2 ; over one-half of all 3. Dramatic global change, including frightening climate destabilization. correspondence to Mr. Klein.’ ” the sites designated as protected areas Five companies replied to the May 9 during Special Places legislatively We concluded that our present fossil fuel addicted lifestyle is unsustainable, letter from the Alberta Wi l d e r n e s s provide for industrial uses within them; unjust, and inhuman. However viable alternatives do exist, and if implemented Association, Canadian Parks and Wild- Chinchaga Wildland Park, 802 km2 they can create improved health, employment, equality, human rights, and erness Society, Federation of A l b e r t a designated on December 15, 1999, has 24 environmental protection. Naturalists, and World Wildlife Fund. petroleum and natural gas leases, all of Social changes and technological improvements, such as energy conservation Only Suncor’s environment dire c t o r which are presently allowed to proceed initiatives and renewable systems, can lead to genuine collaborations between w rote a partial endorsement of the to full development; and an estimated civil society, government, and corporations in the effort to control our energy conservation groups’ requests to 1.5 to 1.8 million kilometres of seismic production and strengthen democracy in our communities. Better futures exist, Premier Klein. cutlines have been bulldozed in Alberta potentially, for all of us — our families, our communities, and the world. The CEOs were asked to write in for petroleum exploration. We are committed to just transitions for workers and all who are dependent support of ten new parks and P e t ro-Canada, Gulf Canada on fossil fuel industries as they are phased out. As individuals and organizations wilderness areas being designated Resources, Suncor Energy, Shell Canada, committed to building the power of constituencies represented here and to which would total about 29,000 km2, or and Talisman Energy responded with reaching out and increasing the numbers of those working to this end, we invite four percent of the province under the letters to the conservation gro u p s you to join us in creating a brighter, and more just and sustainable future for us government’s Special Places 2000 reiterating their support in principle for and our children. program. The letter asked Premier Klein both Special Places 2000 and the to immediately implement the Canadian Association of Petro l e u m To sign on to this declaration contact: petroleum industry association’s exist- Producers’ Consensus Agreement with Ayal Dinner, Sierra Youth Coalition Intern, Prairie Chapter ing agreement with the conservation environmental groups as the extent of 10511 Saskatchewan Drive groups to phase out existing oil and gas their companies’ position on petroleum Edmonton, AB, T6E 4S1 developments from parks and other and protected wilderness areas. All the (780) 439-1160, fax (780) 433-9305 p rotected areas, and support new oil and gas companies contacted refused [email protected] legislation that permanently pro t e c t s to indicate specific support for http://www.sierraclub.ca/syc Alberta parks from oil and gas protecting any of the ten key ecological development. Both industry and the areas, either in whole or in part.

4 Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000 FAX OR WRITE THAT LETTER! Four environment non- YOU CAN MAKE government organizations asked A DIFFERENCE the CEOs of Alberta’s top ten Ad d r esses are correct as of July, 2000 petroleum corporations to Government of Alberta endorse the following letter to www.gov.ab.ca/env Premier the premier. None of the CEOs 307, 10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B7 would indicate specific support Fax: (780) 427-1349 for protecting any of the ten key Phone: (780) 427-2251 Hon. Halvar Johnson ecological areas in whole or Minister of Environmental Protection in part. 323, 10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 Fax: (780) 427-6259 Phone: (780) 427-2391 Dear Premier Klein, Hon. Minister of Resource We encourage your government to Development complete Alberta’s protected are a s 10 sites 408, 10800 – 97 Avenue network by the end of 2000. Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 r e a d y Fax: (780) 422-0195 The Alberta government’s Special Places 2000 program is nearing the end of for immediate Hon. its term and there are many important p r o t e c t i o n Minister of Agriculture, Food ecological areas that are not yet secured as and Rural Development pr otected areas. As you may recall, the oil 208, 10800 – 97 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2B6 and gas industry, through the Canadian Phone: (780) 427-3740 Association of Petroleum Producers, has Fax (780) 422-6035 clearly supported the completion of a 2. The immediate passage of clear network of protected areas. We believe p rotected areas legislation that Hon. Associate Minister of Forestry the successful completion of that prog r a m incorporates the following 402, 10800 - 97 Avenue would assist in providing clarity of where principles: Edmonton, AB our companies cannot operate due to • No industrial or commerci a l T5K 2B6 ov e r -riding ecological and public values development within protected area s . Phone: (780) 415-4815 for preservation. Our companies are • At least 12 percent (20 percent of Fax: (780) 415-4818 concerned by the government’s lack of the Boreal Natural Region, 25 email: [email protected] resolve in securing the protection of percent of the Foothills Natural Debby Carlson MLA Alberta’s remaining wildlands and by the Region) of each of Alberta’s 20 Environmental Protection Critic in c r easing risk to some of the markets for natural subregions permanently 1091AKnottwood Road E. our prod u c t s . designated within five years. Edmonton, AB T6K 3N5 The important ecological areas of • The scientific principles of ploration and Development and the Phone: (780) 414-2000 Alberta are mostly well known and long conservation biology will be the Alberta Special Places 2000 Initiative – Fax: (780) 414-6383 studied. Action is what is needed to basis for the identification, Meeting the Challenge: Statement of email: bring the Special Places program to a establishment, and management Consensus and Outstanding Issues) for Ed m o n t o n _ E l l e r s l i e @ a s s e m b l y. a b . c a successful conclusion. of each site and the pro v i n c i a l resolving oil and gas issues for the Dr. Raj Pannu, MLA S p e c i f i c a l l y, we request the system; maintenance of ecological above ten sites and for the other sites New Democrat Opposition following: integrity is the primary goal that will be required to complete a 213, 10800 - 97 Avenue 1. The immediate establishment, as driving all management decisions. network of protected areas in Edmonton, AB pr otected areas, of the following ten • Pr otected Ar eas legislation is not Alberta, with a commitment to T5K 2B6 outstanding, world-class natural subservient to other legislation and phase out existing oil and gas email: [email protected] heritage sites: Bighorn (appro x - Pr otected Ar eas are not subservient activities in protected areas in five The Right Honourable Jean imately 6,000 km2), Birch - Wa b a s c a to other land uses. years. Chrétien (a p p r oximately 6,000 km2), Caribou • An independent Protected Areas Prime Minister of Canada Mountains (approximately 8,000 auditor to be appointed to monitor We believe resolving the issue of House of Commons km 2), Bodo (approximately 250 km2), p ro g ress towards realizing the p rotected areas is important to Ottawa, ON K1A0A6 Ca r dinal (approximately 700 km2), legislation’s goals and to ensure Albertans, important to our companies, Hon. Sheila Copps, Castle (approximately 800 km2) , that adequate funding and and important to the balance needed to Minister of Canadian Heritage Chinchaga (approximately 6,500 personnel are committed to its achieve both financial and ecological 15 Eddy Street, 11th Floor km 2), Sheep River (site rec o m m e n d e d enforcement. responsibility in Alberta. Hull, PQ K1A0M5 Fax (819) 953-8594 by local committee for Special Places), 3. The immediate implementation of Phone (819) 997-7788 Lakeland (designate the Recrea t i o n the agreement known as the Sincerely A rea), Milk River-Sage Cre e k “CAPP/ENGO” agreement (i.e., Hon. David Anderson (a p p r oximately 1,000 km2). P e t roleum and Natural Gas Ex- Minister of the Environment House of Commons Parliament Building Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6 Phone: (819) 997-1441 Fax: (819) 953-3457 Lakes has been completely canceled. p rotect our incomparable natural That, and the proposal to create a heritage. Alberta is looked at by the rest provincial park in the area, is an event of the world as one of the remaining ... and remember to put postage the environmental community seldom regions of pristine natural beauty. We on your mail to the Provincial hear and wholeheartedly endorse. are expected to make every effort to Legislature. Only the Federal The announcement was made at the preserve what we have had the common Government accepts postage- Emerald Aw a rds for Enviro n m e n t a l sense to conserve thus far. free mail! Send us copies of your Spray Lakes Excellence held at the Winspear Center. We are aware that your government correspondence and we may At the reception, after the event, is concerned over the extraord i n a r i l y reproduce it in the Advocate. Proposal Praised everyone expressed the same feeling as I l a rge amount of carbon emitted in Thanks! have. There was a genuine belief that the Alberta and would remind you that p rovince of Alberta has turned a intact forests are a well-documented The Hon. Ralph Klein significant corner in environmental and sink. Dear Mr. Klein, habitat protection. I want to express my joy and elation Now that your government has Yours sincerely, upon receiving the news fro m shown leadership of this sort we are David J. Parker. PEng Environment Minister that the hoping to see the Natural Heritage Act Alberta Green Party devastating proposal for the Spray be resurrected in a form that will truly

Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000 5 Greene Valley Provincial Park expansion to this site adds 150 hectares (1.5 Gr eene Valley Provincial Park is located km 2) to the Mixedwood subregion of the about 140 kilometres northeast of Grande Bo r eal Forest Natural Region. This site Prairie. This site adds 3,131 hectares (31 contributes to heritage apprec i a t i o n , Six New Special Places km 2) to the Dry Mixedwood subregion of outdoor rec r eation, and tourism goals of the Boreal Forest Natural Region. Gree n e Special Places. Valley is a major tributary to the Peace Poachers’ Landing is an important Recognize Important Values River and is a wildlife corridor that serves balance between preservation and as winter range for moose and mule deer. rec r eational opportunities for Al b e r t a n s . This site is pristine and unspoiled with Killarney-Reflex Heritage Rangeland no active gas wells, no road development, Natural Area minimal trail development, low facility All Natural Ar eas, including Heritage “Still lots of work to be done” development, and limited access into the Rangeland, are currently open to res o u rc e valley due to steep slopes and rug g e d activities, e.g. oil and gas drilling. This site te r r a i n . is located about 235 kilometres southeast La Biche River Wildland Park of Edmonton. The Killarney-Reflex The La Biche River Wildland Park is Heritage Rangleand Natural Are a By Wendy Adams located about 145 kilometres northeast of contributes 2,522 hectares (25 km2) to the hortly before Environment Minister Fu r t h e r m o r e, the new parks in the borea l Edmonton. This site encompasses 16,844 Central Parkland subregion of the Special Gary Mar was shuffled out of his ar e extremely small compared to the needs he c t a r es (168 km2) of the Dry Mixedwood Places prog r a m . Sportfolio he announced six designa- of boreal wildlife like the endangered su b r egion of the Boreal Forest Natural Killarney-Reflex includes major tions in the Parkland and Boreal Fores t woodland caribou. Region. It is an undisturbed site with no nesting areas for the piping plover, an Natural Regions. These sites add 31,070 “The government failed again to meet facility or road development and few en d a n g e r ed species. It is a significant he c t a r es (311 km2) to Alberta’s Special its own Special Places 2000 targets. Wit h pe t r oleum and natural gas agree m e n t s . sh o re b i r d migration area, attracting Places program. only five percent or less of the parkland The Wildland Park contributes to thousands of birds including stilt Gary Mar announced the sites on remaining in its natural state, all the several natural history themes including sandpipers, western sandpipers, least June 6. “These six designations preserve a ecologically significant public land that’s sandy plain, ground moraine, wetland, sandpipers, and pectoral sandpipers. significant wildlife corridor in the Borea l left needs protection,” says Gunsch. “Even and important streambed habitat. Ribstone-Edgerton Heritage Fo r est Natural Region, and vital shoreb i r d the minister acknowledges that most of the Po a c h e r s ’ Landing Provincial Rangeland Natural Area habitat, rare sand dunes, and extensive parkland natural habitat has been lost to Recreation Area This site is located about 215 kilometres marshland in Alberta’s Parkland natural ag r i c u l t u r e expansion, including critical The Poachers’ Landing Prov i n c i a l southeast of Edmonton. Ribstone- region,” he said. habitat for endangered species like the Re c r eation area is located about 140 Edgerton con-tributes 8,394 hectares (84 The pristine Greene Valley Prov i n c i a l piping plover.” ki l o m e t r es northeast of Edmonton. The km 2) to the Central Parkland subreg i o n . Park and La Biche River Wildland Park This area contains diverse landscapes add native, undisturbed land to the Borea l including sand plains, dunes, and riparian Fo r est Natural Region, while the extension (s t r eamside) habitat. to Poachers’ Landing Provincial Rec- The Edgerton dunes are listed as a reation Ar ea combines rec r eational and high priority “Special Feature” for pr eservation values. pr otection under Special Places. The site is Pr otected land in Alberta’s Parkland home to the ferruginous hawk, sharp- Natural Region has tripled with the tailed grouse, whitetailed and mule deer. addition of Killarney-Reflex and Ribstone- Dillberry Lake Provincial Park Edgerton Natural Ar eas, combined with Ex p a n s i o n the extension to Dillberry Lake Prov i n c i a l This site is located about 240 kilometres Park. These sites feature important wildlife southeast of Edmonton. The Dillberry species such as stilt sandpipers and Lake Provincial Park expansion adds 217 en d a n g e r ed piping plovers, and diverse he c t a r es (2.2 km2) to the Central Parkland landforms such as sprawling sand plains, su b re g i o n . dunes, and ecologically significant Leane Lake, included in the Dillberry st r eamside habitat. Lake Provincial Park expansion, prov i d e s The Parkland natural region — an important habitat for nesting waterfowl important transition zone between borea l and marsh birds. The park contributes to fo r est to the north and grassland to the lake and sand plain natural history themes south — is found only in Canada’s prairie in the Parkland Natural Region. pr ovinces. This region features aspen and balsam poplar forests, glacial lakebeds, and steep-sided river valleys. While the government’s news rel e a s e New Parkland and “Most of the land in this region is cites the boreal forest as habitat for animals privately owned and under cultivation, such as woodland caribou, the prov i n c e ’ s Boreal Forest Natural making it imperative to protect available new boreal sites, like most Special Places Regions Cr own land wherever possible,” Mar said. sites in the forest, are again either “These designations are an important step su r r ounded by development or so much to w a r ds meeting that goal.” smaller than what is necessary for these Cl i f f Wallis, president of the Al b e r t a wide-ranging animals that CPAWS says GREENE VALLEY Wilderness Association, expressed his they are really better termed “Postage 3,131 hectares ap p r eciation for the new protected sites. Stamps 2000.” “The AWAhas identified these sites in our “The province keeps implying the POACHERS’ LANDING Peace River own ‘Areas of Interest’ for many years. ‘ecological fiction’ that these tiny borea l PROVINCIAL We’ r e happy to see these values sites have lasting value for endangered RECREATION AREA recognized by our provincial govern- woodland caribou or other wide-ranging extension = 150 hectares ment.” However, Wallis cautioned that the wildlife like wolverine. These wildlife designation of sites in Alberta does little need several thousands of kilometres LA BICHE RIVER mo r e than draw a line around these area s . pr otected, but in Alberta it’s only the oil WILDLAND “W e still do not have strong legislation that and gas and logging industries that get PROVINCIAL PARK pr otects these areas from res o u rc e that amount of protection from 16,844 hectares ac t i v i t y ,” he said. “While they’re important government,” added Gunsch. “One pulp additions there’s still lots of work to be mill alone has 60,000 kilometres for its use, KILLARNEY-REFLEX Lloydminster done in the Parkland Region.” but not a single core habitat for woodland LAKE HERITAGE Edmonton Sam Gunsch, Edmonton spokes- caribou has been protected since 1987 RANGELAND NATURAL person for Canadian Parks and Wil d e r n e s s when they were officially listed as AREA 2,522 hectares Society (CPAWS), was equally divided in en d a n g e r ed.” The largest boreal site 2 his praise. He agreed the province’s six announced was 168 km . RIBSTONE CREEK new Special Places contain some valuable The government news release also RANGELAND NATURAL wildlife habitat but noted the province left acknowledges that the largest boreal site Red Deer out ecologically important lands identified contains oil and gas leases. Industrial AREA 8,394 hectares in the government’s own assessments. The development is permitted in Alberta parks DILLBERRY LAKE Parkland sites of Ribstone, Killarney- under current laws. The government’s PROVINCIAL PARK Calgary Reflex and Dillberry contain important new parks bill, the Natural Heritage Ac t , extension = 8,394 hectares wildlife habitat but should have been fifty has been delayed because of public pe r cent larger based on the Environ m e n t opposition to government plans to allow Department’s habitat studies, reported in continued industrial development of oil the 1997 Parkland - Special Places Report. and gas under the Bill.

6 Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000 AWA NEWS & EVENTS

The renovations for the centre were haphazard. Work to organize the library made possible with the support of a began a year ago with the application Open for Business grant from the Community Facility for grants to fund the project. The Enhancement Program and hundreds of library catalogue will go online later this volunteer hours. Grants in support of year as part of the extended services of The the Resource Centre have been received the AWA website f rom Canada Trust Friends of the http://albertawilderness.ab.ca. Centre’s E n v i ronment, Alberta Sport Parks AWA D i rector Christyann Sloan Recreation and Wildlife Foundation and was one of the driving forces behind the Alberta Ecotrust. As well, donations p roject. She said the project was a resources f rom private individuals and success because of two things: the corporations have made the library generosity of funders and the hard work possible. of volunteers. Sloan thanked the many are for In his remarks at the ribbon cutting people and organizations who made c e re m o n y, AWA p a s t - p resident Peter donations, but said the initial “seed Sherrington said a facility like this one money — a sum of $10,000 from Canada everyone helps the AWA fulfill one-half of its two- Trust Friends of the Environment — was fold motto. e x t remely important in getting the “Our motto is ‘defending wild project off the ground.” needing Alberta through awareness and action,’” The money made it possible for the Sherrington told the audience. “Most association to buy computers and people see us on TV or read about us in software to aid in the organization and information the papers while we are involved in the cataloguing of the library as well as pay ‘action’ part. But for every five minutes for the professional services of library on of action, we spend much more time in project coordinator Shirley Bray. trying to create awareness about issues Extensive building re n o v a t i o n s , concerning wilderness.” including painting, plastering, sanding, wilderness He pointed out that this library is and finishing also had to be done, both accessible to anyone wanting to research in the basement and the former main wilderness topics, whether they are floor location of the library. The main protection advocates, writers, conservationists, or floor was transformed into a pro p e r politicians. b o a rd room for meetings, pre s s Calgary Mountainview MLA Mark conferences and open house functions. Hlady was on hand to cut the ribbon. He Volunteers supplied much of the By John Geary said a resource like this can play an labour that carried the project through important role in the political process. to its finish. year’s worth of work came to a is a source for information about “With a resource like this, we can “I can’t say enough about the work culmination in northwest conservation; the impact of human have informed debate and make our volunteers did, to help make this ACalgary Tuesday night (June 27) activities, from re c reation to informed decisions re g a rd i n g d ream become a re a l i t y,” said with the official opening of the Alberta urbanization to industry; and what the wilderness,” he said. Christyann Sloan. “They really are the Wilderness Association’s Wi l d e r n e s s people of Alberta have done and what Hlady was one of three MLAs at the backbone of this organization.” Resource Centre. they can do through public event. Liberal MLAs Debby Carlson and The public is welcome to visit the Located in the lower level of the involvement, government policies, and Bill Bonner from Edmonton also AWA Wilderness Resource Centre AWA’s provincial office, the new facility laws to protect our most important attended the event. Chantelle Hughes during office hours. If you would like to houses 30 years of Alberta’s wilderness natural re s o u rces. It contains a vast represented the NDP. be a part of the ongoing development of history. The centre is a public resource, collection of unpublished photographs Until now the bulk of the library this library contact Dr. Shirley Bray, and includes a unique compilation of of wilderness and wildlife. It is also a materials were already present, but (403) 283-2025 for Centre hours and l i t e r a t u re dealing with A l b e r t a s t o rehouse of maps and audiovisual organization of the books, periodicals, information. wildlands, wild waters, and wildlife. It materials. maps, and other documents was

and kettle” topography. Rolling hills fescue seed has been planted there three stretched out to the horizon, dotted with times, the non-native brome grass is still groves of aspen and poplar trees and the encroaching into the area. Alberta Naturally occasional marsh pond. At one such After lunch, we headed south and pond, members of the group spotted into the heart of the ecological reserve some American coots, a hairy area. Our guides showed us two areas in Rumsey w o o d p e c k e r, and several re d - w i n g e d that had been reclaimed: one is the site blackbirds. While wandering across the of a former oil well, while the other is By John Geary Naturally: Walks and Talks 2000 series landscape looking at the various species the site of the current natural gas o rothy Dickson and Felix that is part of the Alberta Wi l d e r n e s s of wildflowers, a piercing cry alerted us pipeline that makes its way thro u g h Gebbink launched the A l b e r t a Association’s Outreach 2000 program. to the presence of a pair of red-tailed Rumsey. This section is broad and open DNaturally walking program in We visited three different areas in hawks circling overhead. with less tree cover than either of the the Rumsey Natural A rea on June 3. Rumsey. After Dorothy Dickson gave us Next we jumped back into our two previous areas we visited. We spent Thirteen participants explored the a good introduction and background of vehicles and drove north along the an hour hiking and watching jackrabbits Rumsey Natural A rea and were intro- the area at the Tolman Bridge campsite, highway to access the ecological reserve and Richardson’s ground squirre l s duced to the diverse wildlife and multi- we headed off. We started by exploring portion of Rumsey. Special permission is darting across the ground into their ple-use history of the region. This hike the southwest corner of the natural area required to enter this area. Although holes, perhaps trying to stay out of sight was the first of six in the A l b e r t a and were given a good view of “knob only a short distance away, this area is of the hawks we saw soaring high above characterized by much more forest cover our heads from time to time. than the southwest corner. No one in the group had ever visited Felix Gebbink pointed out how the Rumsey before, and everyone left with a non-native brome grass was threatening g reat deal of knowledge and to overrun the native fescue grass in the appreciation of the area, as well as some area. We also saw an old oil well road good information about the AWA and its that has been reclaimed. A l t h o u g h programs.

Annual Dinner and Auction Donations The auction committee is accepting artwork, outdoor trips and clothing, entertainment gift certificates, tickets, and books. Charitable receipts for the in-kind value can be issued for many donated items. This is a great way to advertise your environmental business or ecotourism companies or share your talent with other wilderness aficionados. Contact AWA Provincial Office (403) 283-2025 to discuss your auction item donations. This year, charitable tax receipts will be issued for a portion of the ticket price. Dinner tickets purchased before August 31 qualify for exciting early- bird prizes. Reserve your tickets today!

Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000 7 E n j oy great food, raffles & entertainment U n i q u e items to bid on in Live and Silent Auctions

O c t o b e r 2 8 Glenmore Inn, Calgary Preview: 6 pm Dinner: 7:15 pm

Tickets $ 75

Call the AWA Office (403) 283-2025 D o n a t i o n s Gratefully accepted. Call (403) 283-2025

Decision Making as if Society and Env i ronment Mattere d By Mike Nickerson Bill C-469, the “Canada Well-Being Measurement The Act is politically safe because it only requires or ask us for a free copy of the new edition of Act” (CWBMA) could transform the decision-making that we pay attention to the factors that people identify Measuring Well-Being process. as important. What will happen when these concerns Write: What we count and what we measure signifies are legitimized by regular reporting and witnessed Joe Jordan M.P. what we value. When all we count is monetary moving up or down is another story. This is the 7th Generation Initiative transactions (GDP), talk about environmental quality domain of stages two and three of the 7th Generation Rm. 422, Confederation Building and social cohesion does not produce action. When we Initiative. House of Commons legitimize other factors by measuring and reporting on Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6 them in our core measure of progress, they become For more detail, see: or contact: visible. That visibility, in turn, enables anyone to see http://www.cyberus.ca/choose.sustain/index3.html Mike Nickerson, Coordinator, how policies and actions affect the measures and email: [email protected] phone: (613) 269-3500 encourages decision makers to pay attention to them. The purpose of the CWBMA is to establish a set of indicators to measure “the economic, social and environmental well-being of people, communities and ecosystems in Canada.” The Act would require public input to determine “the broad societal values on which the set of indicators should be based.” There are two things you can do to advance Bill C- 469. One is to encourage people to think about and discuss what well-being means to them. What do we value? How can we tell if the circumstances related to We’ve set a goal of 2000 those values are getting better or worse? Name (please print) ______me m bers in the year 2000. A Discussion Kit is available from the 7th Our membership base gives Address ______Generation Initiative with suggestions for holding us added clout for protecting discussions about the questions above. It includes a Alberta’s wilderness. City/Prov ______Postal Code ______feedback sheet so we can collect the opinions that will Encourage your friends, Phone (______)______determine what should be measured. ne i g h bours, or co-workers to add their voice to the AWA. LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP (includes a 1-year subcription to the Wild Lands Advocate) Think of the issue or issues that matter to you. The AWA remains How can we tell if the situation is getting better or Alberta’s frontline advocacy Single $25. Family $30. worse? This is the information needed to establish an organization advancing the WILD LANDS ADVOCATE SUBSCRIPTIONS e ffective monitoring system that can inform good establishment of protected 1 Year $25. 2 Year $48. Student/Senior $15. Institution $100. decisions. Please help us collect this information and areas, all done through the YOUR DONATION HELPS coordination of grassroots Enclosed is a tax-deductible donation of $ ______expand the network of interest needed to assure that work with that done at the I wish to donate monthly by automatic withdrawal from my bank account, Visa or Masterca r d . the potential of this Act is not watered down for lack of provincial and national Please send me the donation form. public participation or strategic coordination. levels. It has tenaciously The second thing you can do is to lobby your MP. striven for better public PAYMENT Cheque/Money Order Visa Mastercard Our experience so far has been that when people policy for the conservation, management, and Card #______Expiry ______review the Act and background materials, they see the ecologically sustainable use sense of it and add their support. The trick with MPs is of all public lands, waters, Signature ______to get their attention. They are very busy. They do, and wildlife in Alberta. however, respond to persistent constituents. Ask your Virtually all of Alberta’s M P what s/he thinks of the “Canada We l l - B e i n g waters, all of its wildlife, ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP and 73 per cent of the land Box 6398, Station D, Calgary, Alberta Canada T2P 2E1 Phone: (403) 283-2025 Measurement Act.” S/he can get full details from the are public. Join your voice Ottawa office of Joe Jordan MP. Check back every week to ours as we work toward We do not sell or trade our membership list. or two until you get a response. Contact information legislated protection. Sign for all MPs is available from 1-800-667-3355. up today!

8 Wild Lands Advocate Vol.8 No. 4 August 2000