OCTOBER 2013

CNRL’S BITUMEN BLOWOUT ALBERTA ENVIRONMENT’S BLACKLIST DIRECT ACTION IN THE BIGHORN OTTAWA’S CHARITIES WITCH-HUNT A NEW WETLANDS POLICY? Editor: Ian Urquhart CONTENTS Graphic Design: OCTOBER 2013 • VOL. 21, NO. 4/5 Jes Elliott Printing: Colour printing and process is sponsored features ssociation ews A N by Topline Printing 4 Cold Lake, Hot Bitumen: Louise Guy Poetry Prize CNRL’s Bitumen Blowout 31

2013 Wild West Gala 9 Blacklisted: Pembina Institute 32 v Alberta (Environment and Sustainable Resource 34 NEWALTA Volunteers ending heir ervices Development), 2013 ABQB L T S

35 Hiking the Table to Protect sn t this here e ame n 12 I ’ W W C I ? the Castle Slapping a Band-Aid® over the ALBERTA WILDERNESS Bighorn’s Canary Creek 37 Castle Crown Wilderness ASSOCIATION Coalition Receives Alberta “Defending Wild Alberta through Canada’s Charities Witch-hunt: 18 Parks Outstanding Group Awareness and Action” Ottawa and the Ghost of Senator Steward Award Alberta Wilderness Association is a Joseph McCarthy charitable non-government organization dedicated to the completion of a three Artists Who Give Voice to 25 wilderness watch protected areas network and the the Silent conservation of wilderness throughout 38 Updates the province. To support our work with a tax-deductible donation, call 29 Back to the Future for the 403-283-2025 or contribute online Bears: Another Five Years for at AlbertaWilderness.ca. Alberta’s Grizzly Recovery Plan departments Wild Lands Advocate is published bi-monthly, 6 times a year, by Alberta 43 Reader’s Corner Wilderness Association. The opinions expressed by the authors in this 45 Letters To The Editor publication are not necessarily those of AWA. The editor reserves the right to edit, reject or withdraw articles and letters submitted. Cover Photo Please direct questions Fishing Gone? Vic Bergman used his camera’s timer to take this self-portrait and comments to: as he stood alongside a small trout stream void of water. This photograph 403-283-2025 • [email protected] emphasizes the importance of water to all living things. It was selected by Subscriptions to the WLA are $30 per the Alberta Society of Artists for the Planet Earth display that appeared at the year. To subscribe, call 403-283-2025 Leighton Art Centre outside of Calgary and the display’s subsequent two-year or see AlbertaWilderness.ca. traveling exhibition. PHOTO: © V. BERGMAN

Featured Artist Featured Artists: Dana Bush, Amanda Oberacher, Elisa Sereno-Janz In April AWA welcomed the exhibit, A Shifting Balance, by Dana Bush, Amanda Oberacher, and Elisa Sereno-Janz to Hillhurst Cottage School. In this issue we are pleased to offer you a glimpse of their work alongside Christine Thomson’s excellent interpretive essay. Box 6398, Station D, Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 403-283-2025 AWA respects the privacy of members. Lists are not sold or traded in any manner. AWA is a federally registered charity Toll-free 1-866-313-0713 and functions through member and donor support. Tax-deductible donations may be made to AWA at Box 6398 Station D, www.AlbertaWilderness.ca Calgary, AB T2P 2E1. Ph: 403-283-2025 Fax: 403-270-2743 E-mail: [email protected] www.AlbertaWilderness.ca [email protected] ISSN 1192-6287 Blacklists and Witch-hunts: CONSERVATION BECOMING EVEN MORE TRICK THAN TREAT

Fall is usually my favourite time of the this sort of discrimination appall citizens of actions were intended to silence the public, year. The colours, crisp mornings, smell of a 21st Century liberal democracy? I think to make charities reconsider advocating for fallen leaves, memories of chasing grouse so. You’ll find the briefing note reprinted policy change. and pheasants with my dad – I love what the in its entirety here. Instead of trying to frighten conservation season brings and the memories it conjures. Sadly, this sort of government behaviour and other charities away from the important This year governments are getting in isn’t as exceptional as it should be. From advocacy work they’ve done our governments the way of my appreciation of the season. my desk, the state’s efforts to close the door should be thinking of ways to encourage In early October Justice R.P. Marceau of on public participation are as numerous as Canadians to increase their commitments to Alberta’s Court of Queen’s Bench released the leaves outside under the bird feeder. the charities sector. Remember that charities an Alberta Environment briefing note This issue of the Advocate features a have been at the forefront of activities to showing that, in 2009, environmentalists second example of government efforts curb acid rain pollution, to reduce cigarette who opposed exploiting the oil sands to keep the public out of public policy smoking, and to fight drinking and driving. were persona non grata when it came to making. This one is federal and started Canadian Conservatives, federally and submitting statements of concern under the in earnest last year – it’s the witch-hunt provincially, would be wise to heed the province’s environmental laws. That memo against environmental and other social words The Huffington Post attributed to has guided the department’s actions since justice charities. Natural Resources Minister Prime Minister David Cameron, their then. Joe Oliver claimed that the people who British cousin: “the voluntary sector and In more honest times than these we used oppose the Northern Gateway pipeline social enterprise sector will be a bigger the term “blacklist” to talk about the type were trying “to hijack our regulatory part of government than ever. But we have of treatment the Oil Sands Environmental system to achieve their radical ideological to involve your organizations, and work Coalition received beginning in 2009. Since agenda;” Senator Nicole Eaton started a with you and through you.” Bigger, more coalition members (Pembina Institute, Fort Senate debate, an inquiry, characterized involved, working with the voluntary sector McMurray Environmental Association, too often by unsupported allegations that – now there would be a real Halloween treat AWA, and Toxics Watch Society) were “one the dollars some Canadian environmental for Canadian charities. of them” – the “them” being uncooperative groups receive from outside Canada were organizations or people who say negative the strings foreign puppet masters used - Ian Urquhart, Editor things about the oil sands – OSEC’s to make them dance. Those who opposed concerns, by definition, were illegitimate; the the way our oil sands have been exploited substance of their concerns wasn’t worthy were simply “anti-Canadian.” I’m certainly of the government’s consideration. Should not alone in suggesting that these sorts of PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS Cold Lake, Hot Bitumen: cnrl’s bitumen blowout

by CAROLYN CAMPBELL, AWA CONSERVATION SPECIALIST

ometime this spring the bo- in situ (meaning ‘in place’) extrac- bitumen had sprayed two feet up a real forest north of Cold Lake tion methods are used. Multiple tree trunk and gives you some idea Serupted, not with the calls of wells are drilled and injected with of the initial force of the eruption. songbirds, but instead with toxic, enough high pressure steam to The spill has killed wildlife. As of hot, pressurized liquefied bitumen. make the bitumen flow. In situ oil September 19, 2013 at least 105 Over 1.6 million litres of bitumen sands projects currently account amphibians, 49 birds, two beavers, has bubbled to the surface at four for about half of Alberta’s oil sands and 49 small mammals had been different sites over 10 kilometres production, with the other half claimed by this industrial accident. apart at Canadian Natural Resources coming from mines. But in situ As required by regulators, CNRL Limited’s (CNRL’s) Primrose oil production is the future of oil sands is removing contaminated soils, sands operation. This serious incident exploitation. In situ methods could vegetation and bitumen. confirms AWA’s conviction that risks eventually be used to access 80 At the small lake, clean up has to ground water, the land, and wildlife percent of the oil sands resource. been considerably more difficult. from in situ (underground drilling) tar At Primrose, CNRL was permitted CNRL used booms to contain and sands projects are not being properly to use High Pressure Cyclic Steam skim the contaminated water and assessed and managed. Stimulation (HPCSS). HPCSS ap- set up wildlife deterrents to reduce plies high enough pressure to spur mortalities. As the bitumen con- higher flow rates by fracturing The Primrose operation is about tinued to flow into the lake, CNRL the bitumen reservoir. Using this 350 kilometres northeast of Edmon- sought and was granted permission technique depends on having one ton, on the Cold Lake Air Weapons September 24 to take the unusual or more strong caprock layers in Range. It is in the ‘bitumen alley’ step of dewatering about 2/3 of the which to contain the high pressures. portion of the Range that Alberta lake’s water by mid-October. Al- These four spills sites are evidence leases to oil sands companies. In berta Environment and Sustainable that the pressurized bitumen some- what was roadless, intact boreal Resource Development (ESRD) how breached the caprock layer and forest only 20 years ago, multiple issued an environmental protection rose up to surface from the bitu- in situ oil sands leases now frag- order directing CNRL to contain men-bearing formation 500 metres ment these forests and wetlands. the water in a pit and in part of the below. The bitumen migrated up Webs of seismic lines, pipelines, original lake. The company will through an unprotected freshwater roads, well sites and steam plants then recover the bitumen from the aquifer 75 to 100 metres below cover the landscape. These webs of fissure site, and try to prevent and ground and emerged at ground level human disturbance are the major remedy further surface and ground- in long fissures. threat to the survival of the Cold water contamination. If there’s a Lake caribou population. According silver lining here it rests in the fact to Environment Canada, 72 percent that, because of the emergency Flowing bitumen, with its hydro- of its range had been “disturbed” protection order, there may be more carbons and heavy metals, is a toxic in this way by 2011. With loss of transparency and ENGO/First Na- stew to life. It has contaminated intact habitat has come increased tions involvement on the clean up peat soils at three sites; at a fourth caribou predation and essentially and impacts at this site. But more site, a fissure was opened up at the no recent calf survival. transparency is needed with respect bottom of a small lake and contami- to the other sites and on the broader nated its water. Early leaked photos causes and impacts. of a spill site showed snow still on When bitumen is too deep to mine the ground and also showed that the

4 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES Public disclosure around the spills leaks by chance from a seismic bitumen. In one part of the fissure, has been poor. Though the Alberta crew that was in the area, not from CNRL let the bitumen accumulate Energy Regulator (AER) states that any systematic regular ground so we could see that about 100 CNRL informed it on May 20 of inspection. There was no detectable litres settled in that section over two spills, on June 6 of a third spill, pressure drop in the operation of approximately a two week period. and on June 24 of the fourth spill the facility. After the first discover- We were also taken to the fourth into the lake, the public was first ies, CNRL conducted a thorough site, the small lake. There we stood informed via an AER news release grid search and found the other two on the shore opposite to where the June 27 – more than one month af- spills. A company spokesperson bitumen fissure was, serenaded by ter the first spill was noticed. After stated that, judging from the way bird deterrent cannons. The fissure receiving widespread criticism for vegetation was affected on site, the there site was estimated to be 30 its secretive handling of the inci- first spills may have been happen- metres long. We were not taken to dents, CNRL didn’t issue its first ing for several months before they the first two spill sites, which were press release until late July. The were discovered in May. very close to the site of a January company organized a media tour 2009 spill to surface at the Prim- We were bussed to the third spill on August 8 of two of the Primrose rose East operation. site, a 159 metre long fissure spill sites which I attended as a according to company officials. writer for Wild Lands Advocate. The emphasis throughout the tour No company investigative experts was on clean-up procedures. Two joined us on the tour. Two se- months after the spills, much of the On the Primrose site tour, I learned nior executives came with us and contaminated soils and vegetation that CNRL discovered the first deferred any questions we posed had been removed from the third to them until a 10 minute ques- site, leaving the fissure with oozing

CNRL official talking to media August 8, beside a map of the small lake on the Primrose South operation. CNRL will drain 2/3 of the lake to exca- vate the fissure where hot bitumen continues to flow up from underground.

PHOTO: © C. CAMPBELL

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 5 Spilling through a 159- metre long fissure, hot pressurized bitumen comes up to surface. A CNRL official points to a day’s accumulation of bitumen at this section where top soil has been scraped away.

PHOTO: © C. CAMPBELL

tion and answer scrum at the end. face will stop. There is no known spill. In that case, the bitumen Then CNRL President Steve Laut method to stop the bitumen from spilled up to, then flowed out, answered questions. Colin Woods, surfacing aside from waiting until a well pad identified as Pad 74. AER Team Leader from the Bonny- it depressurizes, cools, and reverts AWA learned of this spill through ville Field Office, answered the to its natural viscous, non-flowing, an anonymous tip January 26, questions I posed to him throughout state. and in subsequent days issued a the tour. After CNRL’s Laut de- news release outlining its concerns “In a spectacularly dramatic parted, Woods also participated in about ‘in situ’ risks illustrated by a media scrum for about 15 min- illustration of poor government the spill. CNRL didn’t release any utes, after which we re-boarded the disclosure, the energy regulator information about the causes of the buses and left the Primrose site. at the time (the Energy Resourc- spill or its groundwater impacts to From Woods, I learned that steam- es Conservation Board) only AWA. In a spectacularly dramatic ing restrictions have been applied released its report on CNRL’s illustration of poor government for one kilometre around the spill 2009 spill in January 2013. disclosure, the energy regulator sites. They’ve judged this distance There the regulator resembled at the time (the Energy Resources to be sufficient until they determine bitumen in its natural state – Conservation Board) only released the cause of the spills. The AER very hard to move.” its report on CNRL’s 2009 spill in doesn’t know if CNRL exceeded January 2013. There the regulator prescribed pressures, doesn’t know On January 3, 2009, during early resembled bitumen in its natural the extent of fresh groundwater steaming of Primrose East opera- state – very hard to move. contamination, and doesn’t know tions, CNRL and the boreal forest when the bitumen flow to the sur- also suffered a bitumen surface

6 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES The ERCB’s 2009 spill report noted four Bonnyville aquifer monitoring The ERCB found that the pressur- that on January 3, CNRL immedi- wells. “There remains uncertainty ized bitumen’s path through the ately stopped steam injection, initi- about how the bitumen emulsion caprock Colorado Group was likely ated a procedure to depressurize will break down over time with either from a wellbore “or a series the formation, notified the regula- heat from further steam injection of pre-existing faults.” One of the tor and agreed steaming would not and about what constituents may be most serious concerns about the resume without ERCB approval. By released into the Bonnyville Aqui- Primrose project found in the 2009 contrast, an AER document dated fer,” the regulator admitted. This ERCB report is that the project lies June 14, 2013 (which was leaked to aquifer is the source of some water in an area of geological weakness. the Toronto Star) orders CNRL to wells further south and it ultimately One hundred metres below the stop steaming operations in a town- drains into Cold Lake. CNRL has bitumen-bearing Clearwater forma- ship area at Primrose East where prepared a plan to “further under- tion in the Primrose East area are the first three spills were discov- stand the effect of heating from Devonian salt formations that are ered, over 3 weeks after CNRL first steam injection on the movement of dissolving and subsiding. These discovered and reported the 2013 bitumen contamination within the features make it likely, according to spills. This delay and change in Bonnyville Aquifer.” These find- the ERCB, that fractures and faults procedure has not been explained ings should be made public. could develop in upper layers, and there doesn’t appear to have including the caprock. While CNRL In 2009, CNRL was injecting steam been any urgency in taking pre- didn’t identify fractures or faults at significantly higher pressures cautionary measures; the delay in in the caprock, the ERCB believes than had occurred previously in its ordering the steam injection shut in that could be because the tools used Primrose and Wolf Lake operations, is particularly troubling given that cannot detect them. They may be because the well spacing had been the first two reported spill sites are evading detection given our current reduced. The regulator concluded very close to Pad 74. technological capabilities that “this likely contributed to the bitumen emulsion surface release.” CNRL was then limited in the In 2009, bitumen flowed into the Another possible pathway through steam injection volumes it could fresh groundwater Bonnyville the caprock was from a wellbore inject per cycle. aquifer. Higher than usual pressure with failed cementing or casing as well as bitumen were detected at that allowed the bitumen to travel

Hot pressurized bitumen spills to surface through soil and vegetation at the same spill site on CNRL’s Primrose oil sands project, August 8.

Fencing deters wildlife from entering a section with a leakage amount of about 100 litres that CNRL left to accumulate over a period of two weeks, to compare to the leakage of one day.

PHOTO: © C. CAMPBELL

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 7 up the bore. Old well bore loca- released a report criticizing the cor- publicly with third party review: tions are not always easily detected porate and regulatory management groundwater contamination; rec- (as in the case of the Total in situ of the risks posed by these spills. lamation of wetlands and uplands; explosion to surface in 2006) and They recommended all HPCSS wildlife mortality; the causes of the integrity can be lost over time operations should be suspended the blowouts; a much stronger ap- due to repeated exposure to high until the major knowledge gaps are proach to preventing future blow- pressures. addressed. outs; and finally, a much stronger approach to detecting and reducing impacts of any future blowouts “The ERCB issued a draft direc- CNRL’s Primrose project should tive in 2012 dealing with wellbore never restart because of possible integrity issues but has not imple- pre-existing faults in the caprock, There are many other unanswered mented those proposed rules. Given because of the difficulty of ensur- questions about risks to northern the existing uncertainties and risks ing well bore integrity, and also Alberta waters and lands arising of the Primrose operation, the AER because of unacceptable impacts to from in situ oil sands projects. caribou and other sensitive wildlife Hopefully, these spills will produce should not have allowed production such as old-growth or wetlands-de- an impetus for the provincial and to resume there.” pendent migratory birds. At a mini- federal governments to substan- mum, Primrose should not restart tially reduce these risks. In response to the 2009 CNRL re- until the following problems, and lease, the ERCB said that it would solutions to them, are documented review and assess its requirements for both caprock and wellbore in- tegrity issues with respect to steam injection operations. The ERCB issued a draft directive in 2012 dealing with wellbore integrity is- sues but has not implemented those proposed rules. Given the existing uncertainties and risks of the Prim- rose operation, the AER should not have allowed production to resume there. On August 13, 2013, AWA joined over 20 organizations in calling on the AER to undertake a broader inquiry into CSS and SAGD steam injection operations. They asked the AER to reassess in situ tar sands technology and regulations in light of the ongoing CNRL spill incidents since these latest incidents reflect unresolved risks from the 2009 spill. An En- vironment Canada spokesperson stated in early September that the PHOTO: © C. CAMPBELL department is investigating the Hot pressurized bitumen leaks into the bottom of a small lake CNRL spill sites with respect to federal environmental and wildlife through a 30-metre long fissure. Wildlife deterrents, including laws. In mid-September scientists “bitu-men,” have been set up to try to prevent migrating Kevin Timoney and Peter Lee birds from landing.

8 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES Blacklisted: pembina institute v alberta (environment and sustainable resource development), 2013 abqb 567

by IAN URQUHART

“Since as a matter of policy the Director was told to consider whether the Statement of Concern filer was cooperative and whether it had published negative media about the oil sands in coming to the Director’s conclusion, the reasons are fatally flawed.” - Justice R. P. Marceau

n October 1, 2013 the Al- Minister. That briefing note, re- think that her officials did anything berta Court of Queen’s Bench produced in its entirety below, is wrong in systematically shut- Ostruck an important blow for shocking. The Oil Sands Envi- ting the Oil Sands Environmental public participation in Alberta envi- ronmental Coalition’s statement Coalition out of environmental ronmental decision-making. Justice of concern regarding a Syncrude decision-making. Premier Redford R. P. Marceau ruled the Regional application in 2009 was rejected didn’t show any contrition either; Approvals Manager, Northern Region because the Oil Sands Environ- she said it was the “prerogative” of (the Director) of Alberta Environ- mental Coalition was no longer as the government to decide who was ment violated fundamental principles cooperative as it had been in the directly impacted by a project and of natural justice when he refused past and the Pembina Institute, one who wasn’t. to allow the Pembina Institute and of the Coalition’s members, had the Fort McMurray Environmental published “negative media on the Association to file a statement of oil sands.” This policy to reject out Professor Nigel Bankes of the concern regarding Southern Pacific of hand the Coalition’s effort to University of Calgary’s Faculty of Resource Corporation’s application submit the Syncrude Statement of Law believes both the Premier and to construct and operate an in situ Concern was subsequently applied Minister are mistaken. The Premier oil sands project (the McKay river to the Coalition’s attempts to file doesn’t have any prerogative at project). Justice Marceau agreed Statements of Concern regarding all to decide that an uncooperative with the environmental organiza- other oil sands applications under party isn’t directly impacted by a tions that the Director “breached the the Environmental Protection and project; that decision must only be principles of natural justice by taking Enhancement Act and the Water made according to the law and ju- into account improper and irrelevant Act, including the one at issue in dicial interpretation of the law. As considerations” when he rejected the the Southern Pacific Resource ap- for the Minister, Professor Bankes statement of concern they tried to file plication. wrote: “it is simply not open to as members of the Oil Sands Envi- Minister McQueen to say that gov- ronmental Coalition (AWA also was ernment officials did not act im- a member of the coalition regarding What is as distressing as Envi- properly when the Justice Marceau this project). ronment’s decision to put the Oil has ruled that the Director did act Sands Environmental Coalition improperly. In making that claim on a blacklist is the government’s Minister McQueen is ignoring both Crucial to Justice Marceau’s deci- response to Justice Marceau’s deci- the concept of the separation of sion was a 2009 briefing note pre- sion. Minister McQueen doesn’t powers and the rule of law.” pared for the Department’s Deputy

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 9 I would go further than Professor is not, as the Premier said, whether decision “is now completely up Bankes and suggest what’s also a person is “directly impacted.” to the discretion of the AER.” If distressing is to hear the Premier, a Section 32 of the REDA states that you’re looking for statutory sup- lawyer herself, misspoke when she a person who believes she “may be port for the Premier’s musings your outlined who can intervene under directly and adversely affected” search will be in vain. Alberta’s new law, the Responsible (my emphasis) may file a state- Energy Development Act (REDA). ment of concern with the Alberta She said: “you’ll know that we’ve Energy Regulator, the regulatory Make no mistake then – Alberta’s also changed our legislation to in- replacement for the Energy Re- environmental organizations have sure that we’re continuing to allow sources Conservation Board. To be been blacklisted since at least 2009 people who self-identify as being directly affected is insufficient; you when it comes to filing statements directly impacted to intervene in must be adversely affected as well. of concern about exploiting the processes.” Shaun Fluker, another University oil sands and there’s no guarantee of Calgary Law Professor, argues the new legislative regime will that, unlike the law prescribed in treat any better our concerns about This is not the legislative situation the Energy Resource Conservation the risks this type of development at all. In fact, the language in the Act (the provincial statute replaced poses to the natural heritage of our new law likely makes the ability to by the REDA) the Alberta Energy province. The 2009 Briefing Note, file an environmental statement of Regulator is not obliged to hear the contact person for which now concern more difficult for potential directly and affected persons. This works for Suncor, is reproduced interveners. This is because the test below.

BRIEFING NOTE TO THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT FOR INFORMATION.

SUBJECT: Statement of Concern Rejection of Oil Sands Environmental Coalition

DATE: August 12,2009

ISSUE: Alberta Environment is rejecting the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition as a Statement of Concern filer for the Syncrude Southwest Sand Storage Conversion Project Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and Water Act applications.

BACKGROUND: The application for the Syncrude Southwest Sand Storage Conversion Project was advertised on January 14,2009 with Statements of Concern due to Alberta Environment by March 20,2009. The department re- ceived 21 submissions, only four met the Statement of Concern requirements. There was an obvious coordi- nation amongst the environmental community to respond to the notice, with specific reference to the Energy Resources Conservation Board tailings Directive.

The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition has traditionally been accepted as a Statement of Concern filer for oil sands mine project applications. The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition is composed of three environ- mental groups: The Fort McMurray Environmental Association (with 40 members from Fort McMurray

10 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES and Anzac); The Pembina Institute (with 56 staff & 31 members from across Alberta); and the Toxics Watch Society (with 3 staff & 15 members from across Alberta). The Pembina Institute has published documents about the oil sands for several years.

The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition has been a consistent Statement of Concern filer over the past decade, for most major mineable oil sands projects. There had at one point been an internal decision to ac- cept them, setting some precedence for continued acceptance. Considerations for accepting them in the past included: the Fort McMurray Environmental Association was quite active in local multi-stakeholder groups like the Cumulative Environmental Management Association for the Wood Buffalo Region and the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association; many of the members of the Fort McMurray Environmental Association live in and around Fort McMurray; they have been relatively simple to work with as Statement of Concern filers (they’ve never appealed a decision); the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition has engaged in the State- ment of Concern process since its early stages, when the “directly affected” test had not yet been fully estab- lished; and they were given the benefit of the doubt. The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition and its member organizations have since withdrawn completely from the Cumulative Environmental Management Associa- tion, and as reflected in the Pembina Institute’s recent publications about the oil sands, are now less inclined to work cooperatively.

After consulting with Alberta Environment’s legal team it has been concluded that information provided is insufficient for the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition to meet the test of directly affected. Alberta Environ- ment is rejecting the coalition as a Statement of Concern filer. It has been decided that we should continue to ask the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition to prove how they are directly affected on future applications.

We have been more consistently applying the directly affected test to the groups or individuals who submit Statements of Concern. With more parties providing submissions, there is a need to identify the groups or individuals who are truly directly affected, and this test needs to be fairly applied between the stakeholders.

The Oil Sands Environmental Coalition may criticize this decision. Given their withdrawal from the Cumu- lative Environmental Management Association, and the Pembina Institute’s publication of negative media on the oil sands the following actions may result from this decision: the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition could make statements that Alberta Environment is pushing the public out of the Statement of Concern pro- cess; they could do a membership drive to gain more members in Fort McMurray and area who could then claim to be directly affected; it could trigger statements from groups such as Greenpeace or Sierra Club or it could trigger the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition to take a more legalistic approach where opportunities arise, including asking the Environmental Appeals Board to review its directly affected status.

Alberta Environment Executive, Communications, and other relevant staff need to be aware of the decision to reject the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition as a Statement of Concern filer on this application and why it was made, so that we are able to defend our position clearly.

The Fort McMurray Environmental Association may be able to meet the directly affected test on its own (outside of the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition banner) for some future projects.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Executive and Communications should be prepared for any question raised by the Oil Sands Environmental Coalition and its member organizations by this decision.

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 11 Isn’t this Where We Came In? slapping a band-aid over the bighorn’s canary creek

by SEAN NICHOLS, AWA Conservation Specialist

12 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES Several km of new trail ploughed straight through forested areas without concern for existing vegetation.

PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 13 ometimes one writes a story, been so badly affected by erosion ing to put OHV trails through these then sits back thinking the task from this year’s runoff that they systems aggravates the situation Scomplete, only later to revisit have caved in, becoming impass- by channeling waters and creating it with the new understanding that able to all but the more determined paths for intense erosion. what was initially assumed to be the foot users.”

entire story is but the introduction to a larger set piece. Last year’s article ended with the My article further deliberated on suggestion that the 2012 washouts AWA’s conclusion that the erosion might be a blessing in disguise. A YEAR AGO was not due merely to higher than Perhaps AESRD would use the The tale of the Canary Creek in the normal runoff occurring in increas- washouts as an opportunity to Bighorn’s Hummingbird area is, ingly-frequent “high water event” re-examine the appropriateness of regrettably, one of those stories. years, a theory proposed by some the trail system and consider not Land Management officers work- re-opening the trails at all. Could ing for Alberta Environment and AESRD take the bold, but neces- In 2012 AWA visited Canary Creek Sustainable Resource Development sary, action they had failed to take and adjacent valleys to survey the (AESRD). Rather, I posited, “the during the previous high water state of the trails as part of our Big- wet weather does nothing but exac- event year in 2006, when a sec- horn Wildland Recreation Monitor- erbate (…) damage that has already tion of the network was similarly ing Project (BWRMP), now in its been occurring.” washed out? tenth year. What we found was dis-

appointing to say the least. We dis- covered that almost the entire trail AWA’s position was then and still is At the end of July 2012, we pre- system was closed to all vehicles now that the terrain in these valleys sented these same concerns and the due to extreme erosion (for details cannot support this type of use. The same proposal to AESRD’s Lands and photos see my article in the ground in the river valley bottoms Area Operations division along August 2012 issue of WLA). Then is boggy and porous, easily eroded, with our observations. These ob- I wrote that “the access trails have and prone to washouts. Attempt- servations were included in a 2012

Highly eroded stream cut, showing height of erosion and demonstrating unsuitability of area for trails.

PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS

14 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES Example of flagging used as directional “signage” on new trails.

PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS update report produced as part of such as those in the Hummingbird DÉJÀ VU the BWRMP (and available on the and that any maintenance or recon- AWA website at www.albertawil- struction would therefore need to This brings us to 2013. derness.ca/bighorn). be performed by volunteers. This latter possibility concerns us: while AWA intended to re-survey the AWA prefers to see the closed trails trails along Canary creek and the In this meeting, AESRD admitted remain closed, if they are to be re- effects of reconstruction early this that “in a perfect world” the Canary opened this should not be done on past summer. These plans were Creek trail wouldn’t exist. AESRD an ad-hoc basis where reconstruc- postponed due to yet another “high also cautiously suggested that some tion decisions are left up to volun- water event” and yet another trail Hummingbird Area trails might not teer groups. Rather, there needs to closure. Last year’s supposedly rare re-open at all that year. Officials be a comprehensive plan in place event happened again. noted: for tackling trail reconstruction ef- • Every year AESRD finds new forts and the Bighorn Backcountry Steering Committee needs to have a trails they have to close that Thus delayed until late August, set of guidelines in place surround- they have never had to before; the monitoring trip gave AWA the ing those efforts. • They could possibly see the day opportunity to observe any recon- when the trails would indeed be Nevertheless, less than a month fol- struction that had taken place fol- closed down altogether due to lowing last year’s meeting, Hum- lowing this year’s flooding. mingbird and Canary Creek were rising costs. The cumulative effects of the back up and open for business; all floods, the erosion, and trails trails were completely re-opened. reconstruction have devastated the In conjunction with this second Canary Creek valley. Corroborat- point, AESRD pointed out that they ing AWA’s analysis of the soil had limited resources for perform- systems and terrain, the creek has ing maintenance on trail systems now carved deep channels along

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 15 The cumulative effects of the floods, the erosion, and trails reconstruction have devastated the Canary Creek valley.

the valley floor. New and redirected No minor shoring up of eroded bulldozed trail through the vegeta- watercourses have altered the lie of edges or buttressing of water cross- tion and riparian areas. the land to the point where the ex- ings here. And how could there be,

isting OHV trails have become not with the existing trails completely so much impassable, as completely vanished? The vegetative damage is exten- erased. Nature has obliterated sive. Trees and underbrush have

them. New channels are up to three been pushed aside and piled up metres or more deep; the widths Instead the traveler up Canary with seeming abandon. This de- of some of these channels is in the Creek encounters several kilome- struction has even occurred in areas tens of metres. The valley has been tres of brand new trail (a precise where their removal is not even reconfigured, re-sculpted. measurement of the trail length is necessary to build a trail. difficult as the radically altered

landscape has changed numer- Where the new channels haven’t ous landmarks and it is sometimes Tree roots are exposed, rubbed raw, erased trails the erosion has made hard to determine where an old but dug up and broken. the trails impassable for consider- reconstituted trail ends and a new able distances. What has happened one begins). on the land this year surpassed Tire and tread tracks are every-

what we saw in 2012. where and slopes are gouged in an Occasionally running immediately eagerness to get the trail back up adjacent to the old but washed out and once again supporting traffic. The most disturbing aspect of the trail, and occasionally taking wide flooding, however, has come from detours along the valley’s edge, one human hands: the attempts at re- traverses many lengths of newly Little pieces of fluorescent pink construction. cut, newly trampled and newly flagging tape are everywhere. They

16 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES mark the new routes, however, structure for supporting the con- for these trails and next time, to there is no signage from the gov- tinued burden of OHV traffic. It is keep them closed and enforce their ernment or anyone else directing obvious that it will be but a matter closure. people to stay on the trail or out of of time, and a short amount of time On September 13, 2013, AWA once sensitive areas. Indeed there is no at that, before they are dug into the again met with AESRD’s Lands longer any clarity, any indication, ground and channeling water. One Area Operations division and pre- where sensitive areas might be and heavy rainfall and we can expect to sented our concerns. We received whether a new trail might not sim- see dangerous fissures opening up substantially the same response we ply run straight through them in the under the approaching vehicles. did in 2012. It looks like this mer- first place. As a Land Management In other areas where such fissures ry-go-round is going to continue. officer observed last year: “without have rendered the old trail impass- signage, there is a green light to able, the new one is built immedi- go.” ately alongside it, on the same type of ground and subject to the same kinds of pressures and effects. It More frustrating than any of the takes no great insight to see that the above, even more so than the ap- same fate will befall the new trail parent lack of any attempt at an before long. We will be right back environmental assessment before where we started and Canary Creek PHOTOS: (from left to right) reconstruction began, is the fact PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS will be the worse for it. that all this damage amounts to little more than a big, long Band- Example of what happens to trails with- Aid® over symptoms of a problem out adequate protection against erosion. that remains unaddressed. ISN’T THIS WHERE WE CAME IN? Example of trail-building practices em- ployed on Canary Creek. We need to stop going around and This is made immediately apparent around in circles. We need to recog- New trail beside old. Without protection when you consider the composition nize that the exit from this cycle of from erosion, there is no reason to believe of the “new” trails. For significant damage and destructive rebuilding it will not end up in the same state. distances, they run straight over is to bite the metaphorical bullet, soft grassy soils with little to no to recognize that this is not the area

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 17 Canada’s Charities Witch-hunt: ottawa and the ghost of senator joseph mccarthy by IAN URQUHART

PHOTO CREDIT: Mightydrake from Wikimedia ne of the ironies of liberal de- papers to reveal their sources and to Commons, licensed under the Creative Commons mocracies such as the United publish any clarifications or cor- Attribution 3.0 Unported license OStates and Canada arises rections the Board chose to make when democratic political institutions regarding a newspaper’s assessment or bolshevism” (the terms were behave in ways that limit democratic of government policy. Newspapers never defined), to seize and destroy rights. By democratic rights I mean breaking the law would be fined; any material that propagated com- those rights fundamentally important they could be banned from publish- munism, and to imprison for one to the public’s ability to participate ing. Fortunately, the courts struck year, without appeal, anyone who in political debate and political this offensive legislation down in printed, published, or distributed decision-making. According to this 1938. this literature. This assault on free logic, rights to freedom of speech and speech stood for 20 years until association are among the most vital Canada’s Supreme Court struck democratic rights. Premier Maurice Duplessis, Aber- the law down in 1957. Three of hart’s Québec contemporary, also was not a friend of speech he disap- the eight justices in that judgment Both Canadian and American his- proved of. The same year Aberhart declared the Québec law consti- tories are blighted by government demanded “accurate news and tuted “an unjustifiable interference attacks on these rights. For ex- information” from critical news- with freedom of speech and expres- ample, in 1937 William Aberhart’s papers Duplessis’s government sion essential under the democratic Social Credit government passed passed the Padlock Law, formally form of government established in the Accurate News and Information known as the Act to protect the Canada.” Act in Alberta. This Act attacked Province against Communistic freedom of the press. Among other Propaganda. This law gave the anti-democratic provisions it pro- Québec government the power to MCCARTHYISM posed to give the authority to the close for 12 months any building The fear of communism also Social Credit Board to force news- used to disseminate “communism inspired one of America’s most

18 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES on Canadian conservationists. Minister Oliver’s charges were so absurd that to debate them gives his words a legitimacy they don’t deserve.

Minister Oliver’s wild claims about environmental organizations using foreign funding to sabotage the Canadian economy struck a recep- tive chord among some Conserva- tive Senators in Ottawa. Less than a month after Oliver’s comments Senator Nicole Eaton announced she would launch a Senate inquiry into “the interference of foreign foundations in Canada’s domestic affairs and their abuse of Canada’s existing Revenue Canada charitable U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (standing) questioning Joseph Welch, Counsel for the status.” The Rules of the Senate U.S. Army, at the Senate Subcommitee on Investigations’ hearings, June 9, 1954. define an inquiry as: “A procedure

PHOTO CREDIT: United States Senate used for the purpose of drawing the attention of the Senate, through de- bate, to a particular matter.” Inqui- notorious campaigns against free- sexuality joined communism on the ries are Senate debates; they should dom of speech and thought – Mc- Senator’s agenda). He held up a not be understood as tribunals that Carthyism in the 1950s. Senator piece of paper to his audience. He may call witnesses; they also do not Joseph McCarthy’s “freewheeling alleged it contained the names of produce a decision by the Senate on style” as chairman of the U.S. Sen- 205 State Department employees the subject matter of the inquiry. ate’s Permanent Subcommittee on – “bright young men who are born Investigations shifted that com- with silver spoons in their mouths” mittee’s traditional concern with – who also were members of the Senator Eaton’s speech was a fit- government waste and corruption to Communist party. Were McCarthy’s ting complement to Oliver’s in- focus instead “almost exclusively allegations true? No. A special Sen- vective. Initiatives opposing the on Communist infiltration.” “Dis- ate subcommittee investigated them oil sands were “anti-Canadian” turbing excesses” – that was the and concluded they were “a fraud according to Senator Eaton: “Take phrase Senators Levin and Collins and a hoax.” The truth didn’t matter the oil sands. We allowed inter- used to characterize the history of when it came to Tail-Gunner Joe national interests to frame our oil the Subcommittee under McCar- and his witch-hunt. sands industry with myths, misin- thy’s chairmanship. In 2003, when formation and catchy slogans like the transcripts of the McCarthy “tar sands” and “dirty oil.” We can Subcommittee were released to the SENATOR NICOLE learn from that experience and we public, these two Senators wrote EATON’S INQUIRY can strike back. We need to make it that McCarthy’s “browbeating In 21st Century Ottawa a witch- clear that they cannot come here to tactics destroyed careers of people hunt of sorts has begun; the focus our country and incite Canadians to who were not involved in the infil- in our capital isn’t on communists, turn against us, or even worse, pay tration of our government.” it’s on conservationists. It began agitators to come here and provoke when federal Natural Resources demonstrations and protests against Minister Joe Oliver tried to warm our own country.” Most of the other McCarthy’s 1950 speech in Wheel- Ottawa up on a cold January day Conservative Senators who partici- ing West Virginia punctuated well in 2012 with an open letter about pated in her inquiry echoed Eaton’s his practice of making groundless promoting Canada’s economic sentiments. To the now infamous charges as he crusaded against interests. History will more likely Senator Duffy, oil sands opponents un-American behaviour (homo- view his letter as a brutal attack were “anti-Canadian.” “It should

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 19 never be considered a charitable At least one of the organizations complaints with the Canada Rev- act,” Senator Finley asserted, “to tarred with accusations of impro- enue Agency against Environmental attack Canada’s oil sands.” priety, the Sierra Club of Canada, Defence, the David Suzuki Founda- contacted Senators and asked for tion, Tides Canada, and the Sierra the opportunity to respond to the Club of Canada Foundation. It Other Conservative participants in charges. “They describe what they alleges that Environmental Defence this debate such as Senator Nancy were doing as an investigation,” and the David Suzuki Foundation Ruth and Senator Hugh Segal John Bennett, Sierra Club Canada’s engage in impermissible political delivered more tempered contri- Executive Director, told me. “They activities. In addition to this charge, butions – more of what we might made accusations, but they never Ethical Oil accuses Tides Canada demand from a chamber of “sober gave the accused an opportunity to and the Sierra Club Foundation of second thought.” “Restrictive tax respond.” being conduits, of funneling money audits,” Senator Segal offered in to other organizations without his defence of free speech, “fuelled having any real or demonstrable not by impartial application of the PUBLIC PARTICIPA- control over how those funds were tax laws but by one set of views TION FORECAST: spent. versus another, have no place in INCREASINGLY CHILLY a free society.” (I should add that Senator Segal did not believe the The public record suggests Sena- With respect to the Tides Canada Harper government had engaged in tor Segal was correct in noting that complaint, Ethical Oil’s legal politically motivated audits) the Harper government had not counsel used surprisingly incendi- launched any politically motivated ary language in its submission; audits of charities. However, provi- Tides Canada “is laundering tax- Regarding the demand that public sions in the 2012 federal budget not privileged funds to non-charitable participation in the Northern Gate- pertaining to audits per se certainly organizations for non-charitable way pipeline hearings should be re- looked as though they were in- activities.” (my emphasis) To laun- stricted Senator Ruth said: “What is spired by the comments of Minister der money is “to transfer funds of really being advocated is that some Oliver and Senator Eaton. Eight dubious or illegal origin, usu. to a groups should have influence and million dollars from the Canada foreign country, and then later to others should not. What is really Revenue Agency’s (CRA) budget recover them from what seem to be being advocated is that some points would be spent over two years on ‘clean’ (i.e. legitimate) sources.” of view cannot be questioned, while the “political activities of charities” Here Ethical Oil’s representatives others are a waste of time and cause file. Regarding political activities, seemed to follow the dubious lead delay.” the CRA would “(e)nhance its edu- of the Hon. Peter Kent, the then cation and compliance activities.” Minister of Environment. Kent It also would “(i)mprove trans- didn’t hesitate to offer and then Liberal Senators questioned the parency by requiring charities to stand by the unsubstantiated charge propriety of the Eaton inquiry. provide more information on their that Canadian charities were used Senator Cowan, the Liberal leader political activities, including the “to launder offshore foreign funds in the Senate invited Canadians extent to which these are funded by for inappropriate use against Cana- to sign a petition: “It is wrong for foreign sources.” dian interest.” Conservatives to use their posi- tion in the Senate or in Cabinet to make serious accusations without Imagine Canada, a national reg- DÉJÀ VU providing an opportunity for those istered charity with a mission to accused to present their side of the strengthen and support the non- Reflecting on the events since story. In our opinion, it is that kind profit sector, was concerned this January 2012 conjures more than of behaviour that is anti-Canadian.” CRA budget initiative would analogies to McCarthyism. They Alberta’s Grant Mitchell decried produce “a further advocacy chill.” also invite readers to consider the the singular focus on charities. If Ethical Oil, a petroleum industry similarities between this attack on the federal government had a legiti- support group that sees little wrong charities and the use of SLAPPs mate concern about lobbying then in the current pattern of oil sands (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public it also should look at the advocacy development, did its best to capi- Participation). SLAPPs have been work of corporations and other talize on the political mood in the used by powerful interests, often organizations. federal government. In 2012 it filed large corporations, in both Canada

20 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES and the U.S. to try to deny less Canadian energy companies – its Center in New York to report that, well-financed organizations such as contributor list is confidential. according to the Center’s 2010 public interest groups or individual figures, the largest U.S. charities citizens the ability to participate and foundations donated $36.8 mil- in public policy making. SLAPPs WHERE ARE WE lion to Canadian charities (given chill public participation by raising TODAY? U.S. donation filing requirements the spectre of expensive litigation. the $36.8 million total is likely to It’s now been more than 20 months They were a prominent feature be higher). This was less than 0.5 since Minister Oliver first alerted in B.C. environmental politics in percent of the total funds donated an unsuspecting public to the 1990s where companies such as to Canadian charities in 2010. grave threats Canada faced from MacMillan Bloedel and Fletcher “environmental and other radical Challenge sued environmental groups” who were using “funding groups and citizens for injuring Narrowing their focus to charities from foreign special interest groups the companies’ business interests working on environment-related to undermine Canada’s national through political actions. issues Imagine Canada reported economic interest.” Where do we that about four percent of the total stand today? revenue of these charities came Accusations against charities may from outside Canada. An estimated chill participation too; they may one-quarter of this four percent CRA’s audit of Tides Canada, an lead charities to conclude that came from the U.S. audit started roughly a year before activities they genuinely regard Oliver’s open letter, was still ongo- as making, what the 2012 federal ing in the late spring. Officials “re- budget called, “a valuable contribu- On the extent of charities’ politi- main confident that we are in full tion to the development of public cal activities the Canadian Press compliance with all Canadian char- policy in Canada” might instead be analyzed the CRA charities data- itable regulations.” The charity’s viewed as impermissible political base. There they found that 450 of President and CEO did not want to activities. As John Bennett pointed Canada’s 85,000 registered chari- be interviewed on this subject. As out to me, the audit threat launched ties, one-half of one percent of this of June 2013 Sierra Club Canada by Ethical Oil against charities sector, reported spending funds on had not had any communication is much broader than a SLAPP. political activities. For Canadian with CRA regarding the Ethical Oil SLAPPs focus on single projects Press, this evidence “raises ques- complaint. MetroNews reported in (for example, a single forest man- tions about the Conservatives’ mo- May 2013 that the CRA had com- agement agreement) whereas a stra- tivation for further restricting these pleted approximately 880 audits of tegic audit against public partici- activities.” charities in the preceding year and pation targets the entire suite of a only one charity, Physicians for charitable organization’s activities. Global Survival, had its charitable TOWARDS A BETTER status revoked for exceeding the FUTURE FOR THE law’s 10 percent limit on political The emergence of Ethical Oil activity. That audit was initiated in ADVOCACY WORK OF and its complaints about Cana- 2006. No data were released about CHARITIES dian charities they don’t like also how many charities, if any, may reminds us of events in the recent There are other paths to follow for have received less severe repri- history of American politics. In those who believe the advocacy mands regarding excessive political 2005 the Internal Revenue Service work of charities is one source activity from the government. audited Greenpeace. The IRS audit of the opinion diversity that’s a hallmark of a healthy democratic had been requested by a group One outcome I don’t believe Sena- spirit and society. Earlier this year called Public Interest Watch, a tor Eaton expected from shining AWA’s Cliff Wallis urged members group that turned out to be funded her searchlight on the charity sector of the House of Commons Stand- almost entirely by Exxon Mobil. was evidence that both the foreign ing Committee on Environment and Ethical Oil’s complaints to the CRA funding and the political activities Sustainable Development to use resemble the tactics of Public Inter- of Canadian charities are very in- the tax system to make donating est Watch. We cannot say whether consequential. On the foreign fund- to conservation and other charities Ethical Oil, like Public Interest ing front the research conducted by more attractive to Canadians. The Watch was, is funded primarily by Imagine Canada seems persuasive. federal government, for example, It used data from the Foundation

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 21 level the tax credit playing field between Canadi- CANADIAN SENATORS EATON an charities and federal political parties. A $1,275 & RUTH donation to a federal political party generates a non-refundable federal tax credit of $650; the Speaking During Senator Eaton’s Inquiry Into same donation to a charity results in a federal tax the Involvement of Foreign Foundations in credit of $341.75. Canada’s Domestic Affairs

In February 2013 the Standing Committee on “There is political manipulation. There is Finance issued the report “Tax Incentives for Charitable Giving in Canada.” December’s issue influence peddling. There are millions of dollars of the Advocate will report on the extent to which crossing borders masquerading as charitable this report was sympathetic to the type of path foundations into bank accounts of sometimes Cliff was recommending. phantom charities that do nothing more than act as a fiscal clearing house. They dole out money to other charities without disclosing what the money is for. This inquiry is about how billionaire foreign foundations have quietly moved into Canada and, under the guise of charitable deeds, are trying to U.S. SENATORS MCCARTHY define our domestic policies… It is about has-been & SMITH and wannabe movie stars trying to defibrillate On the Senate’s Role in the anti-Communist their flatlined careers. It is about anything to movement of the 1950s undermine the credibility of the Canadian brand — our Canadian identity in Canada and around the world. However, do the charitable and non- “As you know some of us in Washington…have governmental organizations that accept enormous been trying to slowly dig out and expose to the amounts of money really represent the interests of public view those who would destroy this nation… Canada, or do they pander to the interests of their you are seeing today an all-out attempt to marshal foreign masters?... Cleverly masked as grassroots the forces of the opposition using not merely the movements, these interests are audaciously communists but the fellow travelers the deluded treading on our domestic affairs and on Canadian liberals, the eggheads, and some of my good sovereignty, all under the radar.” friends in both the Democractic and Republican - Conservative Senator Nicole Eaton, Debates of parties who can become heroes overnight in the the Senate (Hansard), February 28, 2012. eyes of the left wing press if they will join in the, . join with the jackal pack.” “What concrete evidence substantiates the claim - Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy, Speech to that foreign foundations have pushed Canadian the Irish Fellowship Club of Chicago, March 1954. groups into taking positions that they would not otherwise have taken? I doubt these groups are “As a United States Senator I’m not proud of the ciphers for foreign interests, having only opinions way in which the Senate has been made a publicity and no expertise. Those calling for an inquiry platform for irresponsible sensationalism. I’m not have made allegations of interference, abuse, proud of the reckless abandon in which unproved political manipulation, influence peddling, money charges have been hurled from this side of the laundering, support for terrorism and active aisle.” engagement in elections. Such serious charges must be substantiated with concrete proof.” - Republican Senator Margaret Chase Smith, United States Senate, June 1, 1950. - Conservative Senator Nancy Ruth, Debates of the Senate (Hansard), March 29, 2012.

22 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES ALBERTA’S NEW WETLAND POLICY: BABY STEPS IN AN ADULT WORLD By Jason Unger After a very long wait a new wetland policy for the province was released yesterday. The policy is a step forward in managing Alberta’s wetlands as it is the first time a policy applies to the Green Area (public land) of the province. Beyond that only time will tell if environmental outcomes are supported at all by the policy. There is simply too much wiggle room in the policy to validate it as an effective mechanism to protect wetlands of significant biodiversity and ecosystem function. The lack of certainty for environmental outcomes certainly doesn’t bolster social licence arguments about the sustainability of activities in Alberta. First, there is no overarching goal to maintain wetland area (as espoused by the non-consensus recom- mendations of the Alberta Water Council) let alone to maintain or restore wetland function. Rather the stated policy goal is to “sustain the benefits they provide to the environment, society and economy.” In- terpret that as you will. Second, there is a significant amount of uncertainty about how the policy will be implemented. This uncertainty can be seen in the following aspects of the policy: 1) Relative wetland value (RWV) – the policy outlines a system of management based on the government attributing “values” to the various wetlands on the landscape. The RWV is based on criteria including biodiversity, water quality improvement, flood reduction, human value and abundance. By framing value in this way the policy is likely (if not certain) to attribute lower values to more remote wetlands, which may play minimal roles in water quality improvement, flood reduction and human value but have high biodiversity value. Furthermore, the use of abun- dance as a criterion to determine value appears to be included to simply justify decreased valu- ation. There is no rationale or science based justification that more abundant wetlands may be impacted without decreasing their value, particularly when it comes to maintaining the functions that wetlands play on the landscape as a whole. I question whether the government (or anyone else for that matter) can ascertain what is the “right” abundance of wetlands to perform various functions and maintain biodiversity. 2) Avoidance and the wetland mitigation hierarchy – the policy outlines a hierarchy of wetland mitigation, which starts with avoidance (not disrupting wetlands) followed by minimizing impacts and, finally, offers the option of wetland replacement. While the hierarchy is laudable in theory (and mimics many wetland policies in North America) avoidance measures are often quickly by- passed by proponents and regulators alike. Under the policy the proponent of an activity must assess whether they can avoid impacting a wetland. Where the proponent determines that avoidance as not “practicable” they must “adequately demonstrate that alternative projects, project designs, and /or project sites have been thoroughly considered and ruled out for justifiable reasons.” This approach is full of uncertainty in what will be deemed “practicable,” what constitutes an “adequate” demonstration of considering alternatives, and what constitutes “justifi- able reasons.” These issues are left to future policy guidance or government discretion.

Past research has indicated a failure to generate meaningful avoidance using similar policies in other jurisdictions, which begs the question, how will this be different?

This is particularly the case where one considers the framework for replacement ratios set out by the policy. For an impact on a high value wetland the replacement ratio is set at 8:1. The cost of replac- ing such a high value wetland is not specified but the policy sets out specific criteria to generate the amount that must be paid for replacement. I would argue that in order to act as an effective avoidance

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 23 motivator the replacement cost must exceed any feasible economic gain from wetland drainage by a significant margin. It seems unlikely that replacement costs will exceed the benefits of many activi- ties, which begs the question “How much weight will economic reasons be given by the regulator in determining whether avoidance is practicable?” Only time will tell.

Third, compensation paid for wetland losses may be used in a variety of ways that may not contrib- ute at all to wetland conservation. The policy allows “non-restorative replacement” which would see money being committed to public education and outreach, and a variety of research and data collec- tion options. Presumably then we could teach people about the wetlands destroyed to bring them that educational opportunity and collect ever diminishing data about vanishing wetlands.

Finally, the policy is silent on how the wetland policy will apply to approved activities that have on- going impacts on wetlands. The assumption is that such policies will not apply retroactively, which begs the question of how much wetland destruction effectively escapes the purview of the policy. There will be opportunities to revisit compensation for on-going wetland destruction where Water Ac t approvals must be renewed; but again, there is no indication that these projects will be brought within the policy. For many areas, this means on-going wetland losses barring discretionary action to require wetland avoidance and mitigation as part of existing approval conditions (if it is feasible at all). This is particularly troublesome for the working landscapes in the Green Area where significant areas are subject to existing approval, where proponents have benefitted from the government’s delay in getting the wetland policy passed.

In the end, in giving up on the concept of no-net loss of wetlands and providing gaping discretionary measures to allow for the destruction of even highly valued wetlands, the new wetland policy directly undermines any claim that Alberta is a world leader in environmental management.

Jason Unger is Staff Counsel at the Environmental Law Centre in Edmonton. This article was pub- lished originally on the Environmental Law Centre blog on September 11, 2013 http://environmental- lawcentre.wordpress.com/2013/09/11/albertas-new-wetland-policy-baby-steps-in-an-adult-world/ It is reprinted with the permission of the Environmental Law Centre. PHOTO: C. Olson PHOTO:

24 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES Three Artists Who Give Voice to the Silent

by CHRISTINE THOMSON

lberta Wilderness Associa- Dana Bush’s three mixed media acrylic paint and polybitumen, 48” tion’s offices played host to pieces in the show were entirely x 96”) is a stunning canvas of a pod Aa timely exhibit in April concerned with ecosystems and of Orcas striving to break through earlier this year. The exhibit was the delicate balance of relation- a thick surface crust of polybitu- titled A Shifting Balance and featured ships. From Only 13 Males Left men. Research into the title shows three Alberta emerging artists with a (Greater Sage-grouse)(2011, Silk, us that prior to the 1989 Exxon focussed directive. The art of Dana natural dyes, mordants, and wood) Valdez oil spill, there were over 22 Bush, Amanda Oberacher, and Elisa which outlines the tragic status of whales in the AT1 group. This AT1 Sereno-Janz worked as a cohesive the sage-grouse on the prairies, to Transient Killer Whale group was exhibit at a most appropriate venue. her Sweetness of Bees (2013, silk, one of the most frequently en- To enter into the AWA’s offices was natural dyes, mordants, soywax, countered groups and in the 1980s less like entering into a white walled maple and cherry wood) detailing was sighted year round in Prince box gallery, and more like being wel- the intricate role that bees play in William Sound, Alaska. Scientists comed into the warmer environs of an the pollination and success of the estimate that there are only 7 killer artist’s studio. The lighting and wood development of fruiting plants, she whales remaining in this group. floors added to the intimate feeling of gently steers the viewer to a greater Her dramatic representation of this the exhibit, as the artists wanted less awareness and appreciation of her pod, struggling to breathe through to hit you over the head with their message. Incorporating “didactic the thickly encrusted layer of oil, message, but to educate and beguile panels” with her work, Bush seeks while tear shaped droplets of oil the viewer with the imagery and their to educate her viewer scientifically, coat their bodies and sink in the sea reality of shifting balances in the while illustrating her message in around them, is visually arresting environment. visually arresting format. Using and heartbreaking. compostable products such as silk, The background of the three artists natural dyes, and organic subject lead them to take different ap- matter, Bush shows a sensitiv- Elisa Sereno-Janz’s work was the proaches to their subjects. Bush, ity about her belief system that is least representational of the three as an ecologist and biologist, takes intrinsic to the subject matter. artists exhibited at AWA’s Hillhurst as her subject matter the intercon- Cottage and thus complements nectedness of the species. Ober- and allows for a moment of quiet acher, like Bush a recent graduate Amanda Oberacher is a painter who reflection between the other artists’ of the Alberta College of Art and critiques the abuse of the animals work. Her oil on wood panel paint- Design, focuses her paintings on and mammals who inhabit this ings are abstractions of Google the effect of environmental abuse earth with humans, and yet sys- Earth satellite images of prairie on wildlife. Sereno-Janz is still a tematically lose in the human quest river valleys that she has walked, student at ACAD, but the maturity for “progress”. Her work concen- hiked, and known intimately. Her garnered from her professional ca- trates on current environmental love of the earth and fascination reer as a musician is evident in her issues such as oil exploration into of the role of prairie rivers in the masterly paint strokes, and the lyri- caribou calving grounds and the arid climate of Alberta informs and cal sinuous lines of her paintings. effects of oil spills on marine life shapes her paintings. The symbol of and water fowl. Her painting AT1 a river as it cuts through her paint- Transients: Prince William Sound ings are read as such, but the hay (2012, recycled acrylic paint, fields, grain farms and evidence of

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 25 Only 13 Males Left (Greater Sage-Grouse) PHOTO: © D. BUSH the human hand are almost romantic in their rendering. We wander with her in the valleys of her memories, and the paintings are dreamy reflections with initially little statement about man’s effect on his surroundings. In The Bow River, South of Bassano (2013, Oil paint on panel, 48” x 48”) we are beguiled by the colours and shapes she creates on her panel. It is only when we break out of this state that we notice the shapes of the fields as created by human- kind and of our impact on the ecosystem. Sereno-Janz’s musings reflect the force of water and flooding (as we so recently experienced in June earlier this year) and comments on the intractable capriciousness of waterways and the

Area 1002 PHOTO: © A. OBERACHER

26 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES A Sweetness of Bees PHOTO: © J. Kelly effect of human intervention. What if actions will be taken in time to Their practice is concerned with did it look like before the imprint save the sage-grouse. Tanker routes illustrating and educating their of the human hand? off the coasts of Alaska and Brit- viewer to become more than a by- ish Columbia invite human error stander. Become instead an active In experiencing the three artist’s and, if it occurs, the destruction of positive force for protecting those work in the exhibit, one comes to sea life. And the hand of man again who have no voice in their destruc- a horrifying realization that the plays in Sereno-Janz’s paintings as tion. In their poignant and arresting viewer is complicit in the disasters she reflects on the manner in which art, Bush, Oberacher, and Sereno- that are crippling the artists’ subject we reshape our environment to suit Janz have succeeded in bringing the matter. In the quest for more oil our needs and too infrequently the message to us that we need to be and industrial development on the needs of the animals that depend on active in protecting those that have prairies, the habitat of the greater natural grasslands, woodlands, and no voice and our shared environ- sage-grouse is being destroyed. clean water. ment. Between 1988 and 2006, 90 percent of this species’ population died out. Although we have succeeded The three artists in the show A through the courts in forcing the Shifting Balance tried to illustrate federal government to issue an to us what is happening to our emergency protection order for planet and our relationship to it. this iconic species we still wonder

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 27 Christine is a fourth year student at ACAD with a practice concerned with social and environmental is- sues. Her most recent exhibit was part of a reflection on Treaty 7, en- titled Past, Present and Imagined. A professional costume designer for film, she spends as much time as she can exploring Alberta’s wilder- ness with her horse.

PHOTOS (from top to bottom):

AT1 Transients, Prince William Sound PHOTO: © A. OBERACHER Red Deer River, South of Schrader Creek PHOTO: © E. SERENO-JANZ

Bow River, South of Bassano PHOTO: © E. SERENO-JANZ

28 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES Back to the Future for the Bears: another five years for alberta’s grizzly recovery plan by SEAN NICHOLS, AWA Conservation Specialist

n April 2008, following years of Some striking parallels can be Despite assurances that the work- hard work and informed by some drawn between that statement and shop results feature in the South Ivery good science, the Govern- the situation today. While the plan Saskatchewan Regional Plan ment of Alberta (GoA) approved remains in effect until the end of (SSRP) and other pieces of gov- the Alberta Grizzly Bear Recovery the year (and is anticipated to be ernment policy, for all practical Plan 2008-2013. This document ac- renewed for another five years purposes, those recommendations companied the listing of the grizzly early in 2014), and the grizzly hunt have disappeared into a regulatory as Threatened in Alberta and was remains suspended, we are still “black hole.” intended to provide a blueprint for counting grizzlies in Alberta and recovering the species to sustainable actual grizzly habitat in the prov- levels. As with all species recovery ince remains just as open to distur- SO WHERE DOES THAT plans in Alberta, a five-year time bance and fragmentation as it was LEAVE THE RECOVERY frame was explicitly built into the in 2008. PLAN? document. This time frame expires at There may be some light on the the end of this year and so the plan is horizon. Alberta Environment and now up for review and renewal. To be sure, there has been some good work done with conflict Sustainable Resource Develop- avoidance and attractant manage- ment (AESRD) has committed to Looking back over the last five ment. However without a dedicated renewing the plan for another five years of grizzly recovery efforts, recovery team in place, such efforts years. In a meeting last October what do we then see? Like Marty have been patchwork across the with AESRD Minister McQueen, McFly discovered when he voyaged province and highly dependent on AWA was informed that it would be back in time in the movie “Back to the efforts of one or two key local, renewed with only minor changes; the Future,” taking a trip to 2008 dedicated volunteers. however it now seems that the shows that sometimes the more changes may end up being more things change, the more they stay substantial. the same. In November 2008 AWA and other ENGOs across the province partici- pated in a series of GoA workshops Will the changes be good news or In June 2008, barely two months on human access management that bad news? AWA believes there is following the approval of the resulted in a number of excellent cause for cautious optimism. Mem- recovery plan, the government dis- recommendations. These recom- bers of the original recovery team banded the recovery team that was mendations echoed and expanded are being consulted on the plan’s expected to implement the plan. In on those found in the Recovery renewal, as are wildlife and land a news release following that ac- Plan calling for specific limits of managers. AWA hopes this will re- tion, AWA’s Nigel Douglas wrote: 0.6 km/km2 (in core grizzly habi- sult in closer cooperation between “Everybody believed that it would tat) and 1.2 km/km2 (in secondary land managers and the field staff be the role of the Recovery Team grizzly habitat) on the density of responsible for implementing the to see that (the Recovery Plan) was open routes (including roads, rail- plan. Issues such as access manage- actually implemented. Six years roads, cut lines, pipelines, etc.) into ment are being explicitly re-ad- of grizzly recovery has resulted grizzly habitat. In the five years dressed and are expected to be sur- in a 68-page plan, a suspension of since then, AWA and other partici- rounded with “stronger language,” the grizzly hunt and more than $2 pants have called on the govern- including clarity on the definition million spent on counting bears. ment to officially release the results of what constitutes open routes. Unfortunately it has also seen of those workshops. For five years This definition has not always been precisely nothing done to protect the government has stonewalled. consistently applied by all parties, a grizzly bear habitat.”

WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES 29 matter of some contention in recent since a grizzly in the Dispersal year (after the draft SSRP has been years. Zone would no longer be contribut- released), with a public feedback ing to its population, then any mor- period stretching into early 2014. tality in the Dispersal Zones would The final release of the Plan, up- Perhaps most importantly, the Re- not count toward mortality numbers dated for the next five years, would covery Plan renewal will take place in the associated Bear Management follow. In the meantime, the exist- more-or-less in conjunction with Area (BMA). This general approach ing Recovery Plan from 2008, will the unveiling of the SSRP. AWA is has been used with some success in continue to be in effect. pleased to see the draft plan rec- other jurisdictions (notably in the ognize the need to reduce greatly USA), but the contextual specifics the linear footprint in headwaters of the Alberta approach gives AWA So in a sense, we’re back where we and grizzly habitat. The same pause. started. But like what Marty McFLy linear access threshold numbers was given in his return to the past, described above appear in not only there’s an opportunity now to try the Grizzly Bear Recovery Plan, The details of these and other again. We will have the opportunity but also in literature describing anticipated changes to the Recov- to make changes that will promise a habitat requirements for other spe- ery Plan have yet to be revealed. brighter future for Alberta’s Threat- cies throughout Alberta’s Eastern A draft version of the updated plan ened grizzlies. Slopes. An increasing body of sci- is expected out near the end of this ence is arriving at the same conclu- sion – that similar limits on access density are important for ecosystem intactness across the board. Un- like in 2008, there is now scientific data from Alberta supporting this conclusion.

Other aspects of the recovery plan may be overhauled as well: one is the introduction of a “social com- ponent” to the plan. This compo- nent would recognize explicitly that a recovery in population numbers is not sufficient. This must be accom- panied by public support for the ideals behind grizzly bear conser- vation.

There are also some more ques- tionable changes being mooted for the plan’s update: specifically the introduction of management zones. Grizzly habitat would be divided into zones ranging from a Recov- ery Zone – where grizzly popula- tion recovery would be considered paramount – through to a Dispersal Zone – where the presence of griz- zlies would not be required. The understandable intent behind the zones would be to prioritize limited staff resources. However the rami-

fications may be cause for concern: © C. OLSON PHOTO:

30 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | FEATURES ASSOCIATION NEWS

Louise Guy Poetry Prize

Julia Borden is the 2013 winner of the Louise Guy Poetry Prize, an annual competition held in conjunction with the Climb and Run for Wilderness, for her poem Gifts of Nature. Julia is seen here accepting her award from Dr. Richard Guy.

GIFTS FROM NATURE

The wind in the trees Beautiful song of nature A gift from the woods

Beauty of birdsong Such a wondrous melody A gift from the wild

Sun and summer breeze A warm and radiant light A gift from the sky

A sparkling stone Shining from the river bed A gift from the hills

First flower of spring Open as the white snow melts A gift from the earth PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

ASSOCIATION NEWS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 31 By BRITTANY VERBEEK, AWA Conservation Specialist

PHOTOS (This page):

AWA Board Director and Emcee Jim Campbell en- couraging people to partake in the bucket raffle PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

Little Smoky taking a break PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

(Right Page, clockwise starting top left):

Last minute set up for Vivian Pharis’ silent auction garden basket PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

Action at the ever-popular grizzly bear balloon pop PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

A few of our staff and volunteers getting into the spirit displaying an item in the live auction PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

A great turn out for the 25th Annual Wild West Gala with some 250 guests PHOTO: © K. MIHALCHEON

Hold onto your cowboy hats be- Each corner of the room emanated cause news from this year’s AWA delicious fragrances, from the fresh Wild West Gala is going to blow basil in the bountiful baskets to you away! It was another spec- the homebaked goods donated by tacular evening filled with friends, some of our staff and volunteers. festivities, and appreciation for The auction area was buzzing Alberta’s wilderness. Everything with action along with the other went off without a hitch, with over fun activities including the bucket 250 people corralled at the Red and raffle, the Prosecco raffle, and the White Club in Calgary on Septem- grizzly bear balloon pop. Thanks to ber 20. all of this year’s donors there was a plethora of consumable goods,

exquisite art work, wildlife books, Between the fall harvest decora- and much more for guests to enjoy. tions and the western gear were In true western style, mouth-wa- hints of silver to celebrate the 25th tering prime rib was served as the anniversary of this event. A quarter main dish to get everyone’s bellies of a century has gone by since the full for the excitement of the live beginning of this annual gala and auction. Auctioneer Jesse Starling yet the spirit of Albertans caring for got the room all riled up when the our wild spaces is as strong as ever.

32 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | ASSOCIATION NEWS bidding for several fantastic live auc- tion items was underway. It was impossible to sit still with the evening’s musical entertainment in- cluding Barry and Joe Hertz, a lively guitar and fiddle duo; the musical talents of Nathan Godfrey and Wayne Garrett; and the toe-tappin’ folk tunes of Walk the Dog. A great big yeehaw goes out to all the wonderful volunteers and all the people and organizations who donated gener- ously to this event. The Wild West Gala would not take place every year with- out the many contributions of time, tal- ent, and sponsorship that people make. I offer a toast then to an evening that was so much more than a fundraising event; it was a chance to visit with old and new friends, to celebrate the year’s accomplishments, to be grateful for liv- ing in such a wonderful province full of rustic natural beauty, and to be remind- ed that protecting that natural beauty is a passion shared by many Albertans.

ASSOCIATION NEWS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 33 NEWALTA VOLUNTEERS Lending Their Services by CHRISTYANN OLSON, AWA Executive Director

PHOTO: © M. DUNN

WA was thrilled to have the help of seven summer staff Afrom NEWALTA this sum- mer. The curb appeal of the Hillhurst Cottage School was improved signifi- cantly when these tireless volunteers helped AWA’s faithful volunteers Heather Crone and Margaret Main remove the overgrowth from the front gardens and do a general facelift by painting the front steps and pull- ing weeds. It was a beautiful day in June that broke into a downpour and unfortunately washed the paint off the stairs. Thankfully the NEWALTA team came back for another day in July and helped finish up what the rain didn’t let us complete.

PHOTO: © M. DUNN

34 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | ASSOCIATION NEWS Hiking the Table TO PROTECT THE CASTLE by BRITTANY VERBEEK, AWA Conservation Specialist

n Sunday morning, Septem- The plane flew by several times struggle continues to defend it from ber 15, 2013, people gathered so the photographer could get the industrial incursion. Christyann Ol- Oaround the trail head eager best shots of all the hikers holding son, AWA’s executive director and to set off on a three hour climb up to up the words that, to some of those one of the hikers, said “the spirit of the top of Table Mountain, located there, have been their life’s passion. the people of Alberta was present in the southwest corner of Alberta in in those who could climb; Alber- The hike symbolized the hard work the Castle wilderness. It could not tans want the Castle protected and and dedication of those conserva- have turned out to be a better day legally designated.” Board director tionists who have been trying to for a scenic hike. We wound around Vivian Pharis was also there along protect the Castle wilderness for aspens and firs, followed a dry creek with Sean Nichols and myself. We over 40 years. The Castle was des- bed, and scrambled up the scree, all were all thrilled to be a part of such ignated as a Special Place in 1998 to savour Table Mountain’s stunning a powerful event; it was a spectacu- but was never legally designated as views of the Rocky Mountains, Por- lar day to enjoy what’s left of the wilderness off-limits to clear-cut cupine Hills, and Alberta’s plains. majestic Castle wilderness. logging, mining, and other industri- al processes that destroy important But this hike was about much more wildlife habitat. Specifically, there than the scenery. Other than blue have been recent public protests skies, sunshine, and views what over Spray Lakes Sawmills clear brought 50 of us together then was cutting in core habitat for griz- a common, overarching goal: Pro- zly bears, a species designated as tect the Castle. The Castle Crown threatened under Alberta’s Wildlife Wilderness Coalition (CCWC) Act. The message held up on the and the Bert Riggall Environmen- top of Table Mountain underlined tal Foundation co-sponsored this and emphasized the public’s con- event to build public awareness and cern over the state of the Castle. send a clear message to the Alberta The Castle wilderness is an area of Government and to Spray Lakes tremendous ecological and recre- Sawmills. Enormous banners, em- ational value which surpasses any blazoned with the words “Protect economic value of timber and fossil the Castle,” were packed up the fuels. mountain in anticipation of a plane scheduled to fly overhead to take aerial shots of everyone proudly The Castle wilderness region has displaying our message. This was been an area of special concern for no easy task but everything was Alberta Wilderness Association planned and executed perfectly. since the birth of the organization. More than two generations later the

ASSOCIATION NEWS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 35 Aerial shot of all the hikers proudly holding up the “Protect the Castle” banner. The ex- PHOTO: © R. PISKO citement was evident with everyone cheering and waving at the plane.

In the distance AWA’s Christyann Olson takes in the magnificence laid out before her from PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS the top of Table Mountain.

36 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | ASSOCIATION NEWS Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition RECEIVES ALBERTA PARKS OUTSTANDING GROUP STEWARD AWARD by BRITTANY VERBEEK, AWA Conservation Specialist

hanks to all that have been hike/protest. James commented: the Castle region for the benefit of stewards of this environmen- “recognition for our work has fellow Albertans. Their work also Ttally significant area and have been a long time coming.” The includes wildlife monitoring, edu- fought to protect and restore the CCWC’s hard work was evident as cational hikes and tours, litter clean region. We will continue the fight to we climbed Table Mountain; trail ups, reporting inappropriate ac- protect the Castle! markers installed along the way tivities of other users, and invasive Castle Crown Wilderness Coali- helped us find our way up the shale species management. Congratula- tion (CCWC) was this year’s proud to the top of the mountain. Creating tions CCWC from all of us at AWA recipient of the Alberta Parks and restoring this hiking trail is just for your years of dedication to the Outstanding Group Steward Award. one example of the excellent stew- protection of the Castle! Dr. Richard Starke, Minister of ardship the CCWC has provided in Tourism, Parks and Recreation PHOTO: © R. PISKO presented the award at a ceremony in Pincher Creek on the 14th of September. James Tweedie, Con- servation Director; Judy Huntley; and Wendy Ryan, Stewardship and Outreach Coordinator were there to receive the honour. It was given to CCWC for providing environmen- tal education and protection at the West Castle Wetlands Ecological Reserve. CCWC, now more than 500 members strong, has been a steward of the Castle area since 1989. The Coalition sponsors vol- unteer stewardship programs that provide long term monitoring and restoration projects in the Castle wilderness.

James Tweedie proudly The timing of the award was im- displays the Outstanding peccable, as James Tweedie was Group Steward Award that able to share the good news and he received on behalf of celebrate with friends of the Castle Castle Crown Wilderness the day after the Table Mountain Coalition

PHOTO: © C.OLSON

PHOTO: © S. NICHOLS

ASSOCIATION NEWS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 37 UPDATES begin range planning for the Cold AWA received the requested mate- Lake caribou population. AWA has FOIP Response into decided to participate as an Alberta Hidden Creek Logging rials. Despite earlier promises of a substantial amount of information, Environmental Network represen- Operation Raises the final amount delivered ended tative in the stakeholder advisory Questions about AESRD up being less than a tenth of what group the Alberta government has set up for the Little Smoky-A La Decision-Making had been expected. The volume of material we were seeking had been Peche range plan. one excuse for the government’s Legal action by AWA and part- On November 7, 2012, AWA put delays. ner organizations helped prod the in a request to Alberta Environ- federal government into finishing ment and Sustainable Resource the strategy, albeit five years past Development under the provisions Nevertheless the material received the “mandatory” deadlines required of the Freedom of Information and gives an insightful and bleak look by the Species at Risk Act. The Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). into decision-making processes goal is to achieve self-sustaining We requested materials related to within AESRD. The pages compris- caribou populations throughout the license granted to Spray Lake ing the FOIP response describe a their current distribution in Canada, Sawmills (SLS) to log in Hid- process whereby sound science- to the extent possible. The federal den Creek last winter. At issue are based judgements are first ignored, government’s boreal caribou sci- ongoing concerns related to allow- then finally overruled in a headlong entific advisors stated as recently ing logging to proceed in critical rush to meet a schedule that sat- as February 2012 that recovery of habitat for threatened fish species isfies a logging-oriented agenda local populations across the country such as the westslope cutthroat while washing conservation con- is both biologically and technically trout and bull trout. AWA also is cerns into the creek along with the feasible. What counts now most of very concerned about the deviations sediment from the haul roads. all is political will. the government allowed SLS from Under strong pressure from Ca- the company’s Operating Ground nadians, who submitted 14,000 Rules. Rules regarding logging op- AWA is continuing to analyse the contents of the FOIP response and comments during the consultation erations within a sensitive Class ‘A’ period, the federal government watershed such as Hidden Creek hopes to publish a detailed story in an upcoming issue of WLA. significantly improved the final have been ignored for SLS (for strategy’s management approach more on these and other concerns compared to the draft version it related to the Hidden Creek logging released in 2011. That early draft operation, see Lorne Fitch’s article - Sean Nichols strategy proposed killing predator in the June/July 2013 issue and species as a substitute for respon- Sean Nichols’ article in the Febru- sible habitat management in highly ary 2013 issue of WLA). Better Outlook for the disturbed ranges. The final man- Latest Caribou Range agement target for the minimum amount of undisturbed habitat for The government repeatedly delayed Planning? each caribou range is now 65 per- responding to AWA’s requests. On cent. Experts estimate this will give March 4, 2013 the Office of the threatened populations a 60 percent Information and Privacy Commis- The final federal recovery strategy chance of becoming self-sustaining. sioner (OIPC) ruled that the delays for boreal woodland caribou was Provinces are required to develop constituted “a decision to refuse released one year ago, in early Oc- range plans to show progress every access to the records.” Consequent tober 2012. Alberta is now required five years towards the 65 percent to this ruling we were informed that to develop range plans for each of undisturbed habitat target. This is we were to receive these FOIP ma- 15 caribou populations on provin- vital for Alberta’s caribou popula- terials by April 4 (see Sean Nich- cial lands. In August 2013, the Al- tions since all except the Yates herd ols’ update in the April 2013 issue berta government announced plans on the NWT border is already in of WLA). to start to develop a range plan for the Little Smoky and A La Peche serious decline and expected to die Finally on September 6, 2013, ten caribou populations in west central out in the next several decades if months after our initial request, Alberta. Later this autumn it will

38 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WILDERNESS WATCH nothing is done. The final strategy wolves have been killed; as well, seem to contradict the ban on gives the highest priority to land- significantly higher numbers of overnight accommodations in the scape level planning and to habitat moose hunting permits have been Maligne Valley proposed in the restoration. The prioritization is a issued. Habitat disturbance mean- draft Management Plan for Jasper crucial reason AWA is participating while has continued to increase to National Park. in this range planning exercise. the point where over 95 percent of the range’s habitat is disturbed. This is the highest rate in Canada. But, as Meatball reported in our Fire and insect disturbance create last issue, the pertinent clause a natural changing mosaic in the disappeared faster than a bowl of boreal forest. Woodland caribou The Little Smoky-A La Peche her kibble between 2009 and 2010 require extensive ranges to be able advisory group will meet from – when the final plan was released. to occupy the most suitable intact August until February 2014 and The ban on accommodations is forest and peatland habitat at low provide advice to government. We nowhere to be seen in the 2010 densities; the A La Peche caribou will build on the knowledge gained Management Plan. also traditionally moved from from the 2006-2008 West Central summer alpine ranges to forest and Caribou planning process. The peat wetland winter ranges in the Alberta government’s decisions That ban had been added to help foothills. The underlying cause of in May 2013 to defer new mineral protect the fast-disappearing, Alberta’s caribou decline is clear: rights sales in these ranges and in Threatened woodland caribou that the cumulative effects of habitat July 2013 to reduce planned log- live in the Maligne Valley. The four disturbance caused by forestry, ging in part of the Little Smoky remaining members of the Maligne energy development, and associ- range prior to range plan develop- herd were spotted in the vicinity of ated infrastructure. Human distur- ment were encouraging signals of a where the lodge is to be built ear- bance not only destroys habitat for newfound commitment to improve lier this summer. Yet developments caribou, , it stimulates populations habitat conditions for these popula- such as this lodge have a highly of prey species such as deer and tions. AWA’s goal in participating detrimental impact on the ability of moose and makes wolf travel easier in the advisory group is to help the herd to survive. Maligne Val- along roads and cutlines. Increas- achieve self-sustaining caribou ley is also important habitat for ing prey species increases the wolf populations by focusing on habitat the grizzly – another Threatened population and puts more pressure protection and restoration. That’s species. on the dwindling caribou popula- where the management focus be- tion. In short, human disturbance longs. robs the caribou of the intact habi- This proposed lodge would then tat they need to isolate themselves seem to be the latest yank in the - Carolyn Campbell from deer, moose, and the wolves schizophrenic tug-of-war over that follow. caribou that has been going on in Jasper recently. First a proposal to Overnight expand the Marmot Basin ski hill The historic range of woodland Accommodations at into caribou territory is seemingly caribou has decreased greatly in Maligne Lake? Time to given unofficial approval. Then Alberta. Agricultural settlement backcountry ski trails are closed to in southern range areas is part of Disappear! protect the caribou (for more de- the story. But, in recent decades, a tails on Marmot Basin and the ski rapidly expanding industrial foot- As part of its headlong rush trails, see Sean Nichols’ update in print within the foothills and boreal to commercialize our national the February 2013 issue of WLA). forest has meant that smaller, frag- park system, Parks Canada is Now this overnight lodge is being mented ranges now exist instead of contemplating the approval of an seriously considered. It’s enough to large connected ranges. Unfortu- overnight accommodation “lodge” make the poor caribou dizzy. nately, the main management tool on the shores of Maligne Lake in in the Little Smoky since winter Jasper National Park. 2005-06 has been killing wolves. There are hopeful signs, however, Since 2005 approximately 850 that Parks Canada may be willing The proposed lodge, which looks to reconsider. The “no overnight ac- like a luxury 5-star hotel, would commodations in Maligne Valley”

WILDERNESS WATCH | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 39 clause in the management plan isn’t the only disappearing act we’ve noticed regarding this issue.

Earlier this year a glossy brochure was distributed promoting the lodge and its proponent, Maligne Tours Ltd. Yet as soon as opposition to the plan surfaced, the brochures quickly vanished from view. Is Parks Canada nervous? Who in Parks Canada will stand up and declare that such developments are not in the park’s best interest?

So far the word out of Parks Cana- da has been that they are interested in “enhancing the visitor experi- Maligne Lake, a Jasper National Park Icon ence.” Yet as former Banff National PHOTO: Courtesy of Jasper Environmental Association Park Superintendent Kevin Van Tighem points out, “well more than 90% of commenters [at Manage- In Whose Interest?: Re- commercialization Parks Canada ment Plan consultation sessions] tired Banff National Park seems prepared to entertain. The former Superintendent’s comments want parks to be natural, nature- Superintendent Kevin Van focused, and providing only basic are reprinted below. The complete support services. Not one Canadian Tighem on Limits to Com- exchange between Mr. Potter and asked for, or supported, zip lines mercial Development Superintendent Fenton is avail- or more hotel rooms (at least in able on the Jasper Environmental Banff’s case). I know,” he says, “I Association’s blog: http://www. read them all.” In September 2013 Grant Potter, jasperenvironmental.org/jea-blog/ Jasper National Parks’ Business Liaison Officer from 1995 until - Ian Urquhart Kevin’s complete statement on the 2012, wrote to Jasper Superin- general subject of commercializa- tendent Greg Fenton to register tion follows this update. For AWA his dismay over where he believes Kevin Van Tighem’s his strong words need to resonate Parks Canada is headed. His letter among local residents, park visitors outlined the ways in which ziplin- Comments: and indeed all Canadians. All con- ing, special events such as triath- We are on the verge of losing twen- stituencies need to speak up about lons, the Glacier Discovery Walk, ty years worth of hard and prin- the ongoing encroachment of inap- and Maligne Tours’ proposal to cipled work by public servants to propriate commercial development build a new lodge on Maligne respond to broad public concern by into some of Canada’s little remain- Lake violate the letter and/or spirit establishing firm limits on commer- ing – and supposedly protected – of Parks Canada’s guiding prin- cial development. There is abso- critical habitat for our threatened ciples and policies. lutely no public support or demand species. The exchange of letters between for these developments – they serve Mr. Potter and Superintendent only the commercial interests of private companies who have access Together we can hopefully get prompted retired Banff National Park Superintendent Kevin Van to senior politicians. The manage- that message through, so that the ment plan consultations, despite the Maligne caribou herd itself won’t Tighem to congratulate Mr. Potter for a “(b)rilliant bit of policy anal- nearly-desperate efforts by some be the third disappearing act in this senior park people to smoke out the story. ysis.” Like Potter, Van Tighem is very concerned about the levels of ” silent majority” who would want -Sean Nichols

40 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WILDERNESS WATCH new attractions in the parks, found Ten days – that’s the time lag spills. They kill the vegetation and that well more than 90% of com- between when Apache Canada are difficult to remediate. menters want parks to be natural, reported this spill to government nature-focused, and providing only and when the ERCB informed the basic support services. Not one public. Even then it was only after That the Zama City spill happened Canadian asked for, or supported, the spill was reported to a televi- in an area used by First Nations for zip lines or more hotel rooms (at sion station that any government trapping is yet another indicator of least in Banff’s case). I know; I announcement was forthcoming. why timely disclosure is so impor- read them all. Social research done tant. Responding to questions about that in Kananaskis Country showed that delay, ERCB claimed that they new Canadians are among the most did not initially know the volume unequivocal in their view that parks A jurisdictional split between of the spill. According to ERCB are primarily for the protection of Alberta Environmental Protec- spokesperson Bob Curran: “If we nature. The public interest, in short, tion (AENV) and the ERCB may had known that up-front we would is being sold out in spite of clear help to explain why the disclo- have made the announcement at messages from Canadians that they sure took so long. In his master’s that time.” don’t want more development and thesis Saltwater Spill Site Assess- diversions in their treasured na- Yet Curran is also on the record as ment and Remediation in Northern tional parks. saying that, “Volume isn’t always Alberta, D’Arcy White identifies indicative of the severity of a a memorandum of understanding spill… You can have small volumes between the two agencies as “in- I don’t know what can save our that get into a waterway that are terpreted by upstream producers national parks from the current much more problematic than larger to mean that any spill report filed political pressure to grant new com- volumes that are mostly contained with the ERCB meets the report- mercial privileges to party donors, on a lease site.” ing requirements of AENV.” Yet at short of one or two high-profile the same time, “less attention may AWA agrees with this latter state- Parks Canada executives commit- be given to saltwater spills than ment: it is why we strongly believe ting career suicide by standing up to a more tangible crude oil spill, that it is in the public interest to for the public interest. It could hap- especially in remote areas. Unless have immediate and full disclosure pen, I suppose. The only other hope a spill report is made directly to of such spills as soon as they oc- is widespread public outrage – but AENV indicating a surface water cur. NuVista, a petroleum company the deliberately-fostered cynicism body is affected, or human health operating in Hay-Zama Wildland now infecting the body politic leads or property is at risk, follow-up and Park, immediately and voluntarily pretty directly to apathy. Which is compliance confirmation is nei- publicizes even the smallest leak what the beneficiaries of the priva- ther timely nor consistent between there – a one litre spill inside a con- tization of our national parks are AENV Districts.” trolled berm. Such full transparency likely counting on. and timely disclosure should come, must come from the Government of White goes on to propose optimisti- Alberta. Alberta’s New Energy cally that the new Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) may help to Regulator and Pipeline resolve this schism. AWA would Both the severity and the volume Breaches: Will We See like to share White’s optimism. We of the Zama City spill were high. hope Alberta’s new regulator will Better Disclosure? While the level of hydrocarbons in make more timely and appropriate the spilled “produced water” was releases. The pipeline spill in early June low, there were still high levels 2013 of over 9.5 million litres of of salt and other elements in the industrial waste water north of water that are extremely damag- Thus far, admittedly, the response Zama City raises disturbing ques- ing to ecosystems, especially to from the AER has been wanting. In tions regarding the Alberta Energy that area’s marshy wetlands. This the case of four blowouts in Ca- Resources Conservation Board’s is not a small problem. Salt water nadian Natural Resources Lim- (ERCB) timeliness when informing spills may be just as damaging as, ited’s (CNRL’s) Primrose oil sands the public about this kind of inci- or even more damaging than, oil operation, it took up to a month for dent. the AER to pass information about

WILDERNESS WATCH | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 41 the blowouts on to the public (see Carolyn Campbell’s article in this issue of WLA). While the potential is there we are still waiting to see it realized.

This will likely become more and more important as time goes on. AWA has raised concerns in the past regarding Alberta’s aging pipe- line infrastructure and the increas- ing number of annual spills and blowouts that may result.

These ruptures are a direct function of the tens of thousands of miles of pipeline that currently cross Alberta. In total, there are about 400,000 km of pipeline in Alberta and the ERCB estimates that there are about 2.4 failures per year for every 1,000 km of pipeline. Thus we can “expect” to see about 900 breaks per year with the current infrastructure. The Zama City and CNRL spills are just a couple of the more recent, and more visible, accidents.

While the majority of those roughly 900 annual failures may be minor the cumulative effect of even the minor breaks nevertheless remains considerable. With that many failures, we can anticipate that there will be several major breaks per year. That number may only Map, courtesy of Global Forest Watch Canada, indicating the location increase as more kilometres of of the Zama City pipeline spill in northwest Alberta pipeline are added to the province’s web.

AWA continues to meet with the AER to express our concerns about issues such as this that fall under its newfound jurisdiction. We will continue to press the AER to effect changes regarding how events such as the Zama City spill are investi- gated and disclosed. - Sean Nichols

42 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WILDERNESS WATCH READER’S CORNER

ries buried in that intact native prai- rie prove irresistible.

Savage’s prose is delightful. Her lyrical and evocative strengths come to the fore whenever she writes about connecting to the natural world around her. Take, for example, her description of a por- tion of the landscape encountered on a trip to the abandoned hamlet of Ravenscrag:

Here, the hills on either side of the valley are drawn subtly together to define a broad-floored, walled-in trench. At the flatlands at the bottom, the river continues its drowsy meanders, leav- ing just enough space along its southern margin for a gravel road to scoot past. Up above, on both sides of the valley but especially to the north, steep dissected cutbanks rise to clip the horizon, enclosing a river of sky. You could come this way a hundred times and catch these embankments in CANDACE SAVAGE, A GEOGRAPHY OF BLOOD: a hundred different moods, sometimes towering and Unearthing Memory from a Prairie Landscape, majestic, sometimes hazy (Vancouver: Greystone Books, 2012) and withdrawn, sometimes outlined with snow so their By Ian Urquhart bones show. Candace Savage’s A Geography of people who lived in this outpost on Blood is a lyrical, poignant, and the edge of the northern plains were ultimately hopeful exploration of partially responsible. The European She paints landscape portraits with the histories of the Cypress Hills. settlers’ triumph over disease and more than exquisite details; they When you pick up A Geography drought built a sense of commu- imagine the land as a sentient be- of Blood you book passage on a nity and helped Eastend become a ing, with spirit, memory, and voice. voyage of discovery. First we join “home away from home” for the Savage and her partner Keith Bell author. as they discover Eastend Saskatch- ewan – the small town perched on the edge of the Cypress Hills that But the land itself plays the largest becomes so central to their lives. role in their decision to make East- Why Eastend? The togetherness end a second home. The wildness and the “stick-to-it-iveness” of the of the Cypress Hills and the memo-

DEPARTMENTS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 43 Eastend and the Cypress Hills myth of western settlement admits. 1883 when the government ban- become portals through which While Savage welcomes these ished them from the Cypress Hills Savage interrogates memory. The truths Stegner’s message still sub- to faraway reserves: land prompts her to interrogate her scribes to the “march-of-progress own memories of growing up in myth” and ignores other histori- the Peace River country; the land cal erasures. He glosses over the The atmosphere is thick with demands she interrogate European obliteration of the buffalo and the silence, and when you move, settler memories of putting the native cultures that depended on you seem to leave ripples plow to the prairie. The land re- Otapanihowin (this Cree word for in your wake. You might be members and, if you’re prepared to buffalo translates as “livelihood” swimming through quicksil- listen, will share all of her memo- or “the means of survival”). Savage ver. And this unearthly mood ries with you. explores these societal blindspots. is not quite broken by the delight of watching butcher birds – rare loggerhead At several points early in the book The memories uncovered in the shrikes – plunging from the Savage hints that interrogating Cypress Hills landscape are harsh, trees to the ground to catch these memories may be a poignant, horrible. The scale of the ecological grasshoppers, which they unsettling experience. Why suggest tragedy that unfolded on the prai- then stuff, one by one, into that a visit to Wyoming’s Buffalo ries in the late 19th Century may the beaks of their insatiable Bill Historical Center, with its be unimaginable for some readers. young. The heaviness doesn’t exhibit of the first scalp Bill Cody It took less than a generation to de- even lift entirely when you took to avenge General Custer’s stroy a livelihood, an ecology, that gaze across the lake and death at Little Bighorn, had any- had existed for thousands of years. discover that the bright dots thing at all to do with their first trip Apocalypse, slaughterhouse, car- along the far shore, viewed to Eastend? What did she foreshad- nage – those are Savage’s words for through binoculars, are ow when she wrote the following describing the maelstrom that swept actually a flotilla of white about the efforts of the U.S. mili- across the North American plains. pelicans, huge and dazzling tary to expel “British” Indians into “If one buffalo were magically to in the glimmer. Everything Canada: “Voices hang in the air reappear on the Great Plains every that is here carries an echo here, speaking of hunger, displace- minute, nonstop round the clock,” of something that is not. ment, and cold, but we do not hear she writes, “it would take almost Trapped between lake and a word.” Why detail a mural in an sixty years to restore the popula- sky, this is a world that has Eastend cafe about civilizing and tion to its historic numbers.” That’s been hollowed out. settling the prairies? how long it would take to raise the 30 million buffalo from the open graves the pemmican, buffalo robe, How was the government complicit Her purpose becomes clearer in the and leather trades put them in. in this prairie tragedy? It starved chapter Ravenscrag Road. There the people until they abandoned she writes about the geological their desire to remain in the Cy- unconformities of the landscape – The costs to First Nations peoples press Hills. A police physician was where erosion has erased millions of this de facto extinction of their appalled by the condition of the of years of geological history. She “means of survival” and the Cana- roughly 2,000 Indians at the hunger weaves them into a critique of the dian government’s complicity in camp; he wrote Edgar Dewdney, human historical unconformities compounding their misery are de- the official in charge of the North- she sees remaining in the Pulitzer tailed meticulously. Savage again is west Territories, that the people Prize winning author Wallace Steg- evocative and eloquent in depicting camped outside of Fort Walsh were ner’s autobiography Wolf Willow the melancholy this human tragedy “literally in a starving condition (Stegner spent part of his childhood left in the prairie’s memory. Here and destitute of the commonest in Eastend). is her description of Cypress Lake, necessaries of life.” Others, such the site of the hunger camp where as the Indian Agent at Fort Walsh, the peoples led by Piapot, The Man relished in dispensing insufficient Stegner’s voice is revisionsist in Who Took the Coat, Little Pine, supplies to the thousands of people Wolf Willow. His family’s life in Lucky Man, and Big Bear, eked gathered at the hunger camp. In the Eastend was hard, much harder out a miserable existence from the winter of 1882 he told Dewdney: “I than the conventional triumphal winter of 1881 until the spring of know they are not getting enough

44 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | DEPARTMENTS flour but I like to punish them a doesn’t believe the generations, partnership. There is the possibility little.” including our own, who succeeded of talking and perhaps of reconcili- the 19th century Métis hunters, ation between the white settler and wolfers, and whiskey traders occu- native solitudes that featured in her By the spring of 1883 Canadian py a moral high ground. Don’t we life growing up in the Peace River officials had accomplished through largely privilege market forces at country, that was established and this strategy what their American the expense of other considerations enforced by the treaties, and that counterparts achieved through the even if this means losing hundreds remains part of contemporary life. Indian Removal Act of 1830. That to thousands of species every year? Most importantly, I think, Can- Act was the precursor to “The Trail Hasn’t our civilization’s love af- dace Savage’s voyage of discovery of Tears,” the forced relocation of fair with “the market” helped raise opens our eyes to the possibility Indian nations from the southeast- the spectre of species-threatening that, by removing our cultural and ern United States to eastern Okla- climate change? societal blinkers, there’s still time homa. A Canadian Trail of Tears to appreciate what the land itself started in the Cypress Hills and may teach us. The prairie landscape ended in reserves to the north and Lyrical and poignant, A Geography and those who inhabit it would be the east. of Blood is ultimately hopeful. To the better for it. help tell the stories of those perse- Some might be surprised that Sav- cuted in the Cypress Hills Savage age doesn’t condemn, as Stegner seeks the help of their descendants. did, those who slaughtered the Expecting bitterness, mistrust, and buffalo destroyed their way of life. hostility from the Nekaneet First I suspect this is because Savage Nation she finds assistance and

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

REGARDING DAVID Suzuki, according the Huffington doors to those who are oppressed SUZUKI’S COMMENTS ON Post, responded as follows: “Oh, I or in cases of emergency,” he said. think Canada is full too! Although IMMIGRATION “When Canada offered refuge to it’s the second largest country in 50,000 boat people in Vietnam in In early July Dr. David Suzuki gave the world, our useful area has been the 1970s, I was particularly proud an interview to the Parisian news- reduced,” Suzuki said. “Our im- to be Canadian.” paper L’Express. Near the end of migration policy is disgusting: the interview, an interview devoted We plunder southern countries by largely to the topic of climate depriving them of future leaders, Jason Kenney, days before leaving change, Suzuki was asked what and we want to increase our popu- his post as Canada’s Immigration he felt about Australian environ- lation to support economic growth. Minister, tweeted that he found mentalists who were opposed to It’s crazy!” Suzuki’s views “toxic and irrespon- immigration on the grounds that sible.” Some media outlets criti- Australia’s natural resources cannot cized Suzuki for his remarks. Dr. sustain population growth. Suzuki added he felt Canada had Lu Carbyn’s letter below strongly a responsibility to take in people supports Suzuki’s position. who cannot survive elsewhere: - Ian Urquhart “Canada should always open its

I totally agree with Dr. Suzuki’s worldwide. ing them of future leaders. comments about immigration. Canada’s former immigra- David Suzuki was quoted as hav- Canada needs no more immigrants. tion minister Jason Kenney ing said that Canada has had its Alberta needs no more immigrants. calls that “xenophobic.” fill of immigrants (our population We are rapidly exceeding carrying is reaching its maximum capacity) capacity if we are at all interested and that it was “disgusting” that a in the environment. It is not only a The fact of the matter is that rich country such as Canada plun- Canadian problem it is a problem the world’s population is ders southern countries by depriv-

DEPARTMENTS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 45 booming and is likely to reach 9 the changing state of biodiversity applied. However, Suzuki is saying billion by 2050. Worldwide, that on the planet. In a new State of the Canada should look at its policies is putting a tremendous stress on World’s Birds report, released at on these matters and I agree. There both the human environment – this year’s BirdLife World Con- is nothing unreasonable or small- famine, pollution, flooding, rising gress held in Ottawa, it was con- minded about Suzuki’s statements. sea levels, climate change and the cluded that 1,313 species (12 % of They are just good, plain common natural environment. Why have the world’s bird species) are at risk sense. Maybe once Edmonton’s there been TWO catastrophic (once of global extinction. Burgeoning flood plains get inundated with in a century type floods) happen- human populations are at the root water every few years we might see ing in southern Alberta within a of this threat. Canada could lead the wisdom in Suzuki’s “xenopho- seven-year span? We cannot say the world by example and follow bic” ideas in getting our house in for sure, but climate change is a Suzuki’s suggestions. We should at order. strong possibility. Furthermore, least start a debate on the advisabil- - Lu Carbyn, Edmonton, Alberta ever increasing human numbers are ity of continuing to promote human destroying the natural environment population growth in our country. – species extinction, pollution, Such Canadian leadership can start ocean acidification, and widespread by taking a very hard look at the global weather changes. It is an rapid proliferation of the oil sands assault on the world’s resources activities. Oil sands need workers. and on humanity. Certainly there Workers are brought in from around are some hopeful signs that modern the globe. Yes, maybe we need that technology is helping to reduce , oil, but do we need to extract it slow down or even, in some cases, as fast as possible? It is not going reverse some of the negative trends. away, so why the rush? However, the overall trend is very worrisome. I drive a car to work. Yes, I like fruit from South America, and I Let us look closer at Edmonton. drink at least two cups of coffee Look at the urban sprawl along the a day. There is no need to change southern edge of the city –mass everything about us (I am not going destruction of wetlands, agricul- to) – but I submit there is a need to tural areas, woodlands, and in- stabilize the world’s human popula- creases in air pollution and traffic tion so that future generations will jams during rush hour. That is a have a healthier world to live in. direct result of population growth. Suzuki is right on when he infers It also is a direct result of the that professional people are needed politicians’ clamour for jobs, jobs, to solve the problems faced in un- and more jobs. People need ame- derdeveloped parts of the world. It nities and they demand the best is selfish for us to lure them away no matter where it’s produced. from their home countries, devel- Where does much of the best come oped or undeveloped. It has noth- from? Mexico, Central America, ing to do with racism. Immigrants and other places. Most of us drink are immigrants, whether they come coffee – more people, more coffee. from India, Africa, China, France, That means greater destruction of Germany, or England. rainforests – one of the “lungs” of the world. Obviously these are strong state- ments and I am not implying that It isn’t hopeful to read about the we should introduce draconian predicted mass extinction of one measures to enforce such rules at of our most sensitive indicators of all times. There are naturally hu- environmental health – birds. Birds manitarian reasons where flexibil- are one of the best indicators on ity and good judgment should be © D.Olson

46 WLA | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | DEPARTMENTS EVENTS

TALK: GET THE BUZZ TALK: COME HELL & HIGH WATER BY MEGAN EVANS BY ROBERT SANDFORD TUESDAY NOVEMBER 4, 2013 TUESDAY NOVEMBER 26, 2013

Megan Evans has recently completed a Master of Robert Sandford is the EPCOR Chair of the Cana- Science at the University of Calgary. Her Master’s dian Partnership Initiative in support of United Na- project involved studying the effects of grazing on tions “Water for Life” Decade. He is an internation- floral resources and bees in southwestern Alberta. ally respected expert on water-related climate policy She will be sharing her results from this study along and will be exploring the recent flooding in Alberta with some general bee ecology and conservation is- and changes that need to be made to enhance human sues facing bees today. resilience to accelerating hydro-climate change. Copies of his new book “Saving Lake Winnipeg” will also be available for purchase and signing. LOCATION: 455 – 12 Street NW, Calgary DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 p.m. TICKETS: $5.00 LOCATION: 455 – 12 Street NW, Calgary REGISTRATION: (403) 283-2025 DOORS OPEN AT 7:00 P.M. ONLINE:www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events TICKETS: $5.00 REGISTRATION: (403) 283-2025 ONLINE:www.AlbertaWilderness.ca/events MUSIC FOR THE WILD SATURDAY NOVEMBER 23, 2013 CHRISTMAS MEMBERS’

DOORS OPEN AT 7:00, music at 7:30 MUNCH AND MINGLE TICKETS: $20 EDMONTON PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: (403) 283-2025 Details to Follow GO ASK EARL We are planning an excellent evening of One of Calgary’s top bluegrass bands with hot conversation, good company and time to instrumentals, tight harmonies, and a blend of review AWA’s year and plans for 2014 traditional and original songs. Go Ask Earl is made up of Brad Lindberg (banjo, vocals), Jack Loree Watch your email for details of this event. (dobro), Bruce Leinan (fiddle, vocals), Carolin McBrien (guitar, vocals), and Keith Uyeno (up- right bass, vocals). For a taste of what Go Ask SSRP Earl will be serving see http://www.youtube.com/ TIME TO SPEAK UP! watch?v=TcmfT7vnU4Q.

OPENING ACT Check out our website Allan & Arnell: Jane Allan and Lance Arnell www.AlbertaWilderness.ca http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wSzKJYqOMM for a quick link to pages with details of when and where sessions will be held, how you can participate, and the comments AWA has on the Draft Plan. This is your chance to be part of land use planning in Alberta.

DEPARTMENTS | October 2013 | Vol. 21, No. 4/5 | WLA 47 Sage-grouse have been endangered for many years but governments have done very little to eliminate human disturances in critical sage-grouse habitat.

www. AlbertaWilderness.ca

Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to:

Alberta Wilderness Association Box 6398, Station D Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 [email protected]

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