Air Quality Monitoring

Proposed Southern Air Monitoring Plan - Next Steps Southern Air Monitoring Plan Operations and Data Management

If the Southern Air Monitoring Plan is approved for funding by AEMERA in 2015/16, WBEA members propose Data generated by the proposed Southern Air Monitoring validated data are available within four weeks after the to phase in implementation of the plan over the next six years. Some of the milestones would include: Plan would become part of WBEA’s existing data and month in which they were collected. The validated data are information management system which has been then provided to stakeholders, regulators and the public Wood Buffalo Environmental Association developed over the last 16 years to meet user data and to ensure that accurate information is available to support operational needs, as well as regulatory requirements. informed decision making. Air Quality Monitoring Generating timely, accurate, accessible, high-quality data is • Prepare a draft work plan for implementation of the Southern Air a fundamental principle of WBEA’s monitoring programs. The following figure illustrates the flow of information from Monitoring Plan. WBEA monitoring stations to various data repositories. • Complete monitoring site construction and commission the Conklin Enhanced WBEA has developed a leading-edge Data Management WBEA data arising from environmental monitoring Deposition Station (AMS 18), in support of JOSM. System (DMS) which ensures that data are transmitted in activities undertaken in support of the Southern Air near real-time to the WBEA website and that raw data are Monitoring Plan will also be available for all the purposes • Deploy WBEA portable air monitoring stations to Conklin and Janvier until A Proposed Ambient Air Monitoring Plan for the Southern validated and archived for future analysis. WBEA’s identified in the diagram below, in the future. such time as fixed air monitoring stations are purchased, integrated and Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo commissioned in the region. • Begin planning and site selection for the network of meteorological towers at all The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) monitors the environment of the SAGD facilities. 2 Air Monitoring Directive / 68,454 km Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) in north-eastern Alberta. • Identify facilities, with production greater than 100,000 bpd, which will require National Air Pollution The Athabasca Oil Sands Region, located within the municipality, is a source of bitumen fixed air monitoring stations. WBEA Ambient Air Monitoring Program Surveillance Network which is produced through mining and in situ operations. The region includes the • Identify facilities, with production less than 100,000 bpd which will require Data Flow 2014 portable air monitoring stations and site selection to meet AMD criteria. communities of Fort McMurray, Fort Chipewyan, Fort McKay, Anzac, Janvier and Conklin. Technical Projects WBEA is committed to reporting accurate and timely high quality data from our Air, Terrestrial and Human Exposure Monitoring Programs to ensure regional stakeholders WBEA Alberta Environment & Air have the information they need to make informed environmental decisions. Real-time Environment Air Monitoring WBEA Sustainable Resource Quality • Begin planning and site selection for the southern boundary Canada Stations Server Raw Data Development Health background/ trans-boundary air monitoring station. Index • Finalize site selection for monitoring activities in the region. Alberta Ambient Air $Excelsior Development in the Real-time $ # • Finalize an implementation plan for operations and data management for the Quality Objectives Athabasca Oil Sands Corp. Anzac AMS 14 Raw Data Gregoire Lake Estates #(! 4 Southern Area of the RMWB Southern Air Monitoring Plan. Nexen WBEA Data $ • Construction of sites for specified monitoring activities, at the facilities. 3rd Party $Grizzly Oilsands 5! Website Requests To date, WBEA’s monitoring has Nexen on call JACOS $ • Deployment of meteorological towers and passive or new technology $ been focused in the resource monitoring network as required. Validated extraction areas of the northern • Incorporation of any existing air monitoring station into the Southern Data National Air portion of the RMWB. WBEA’s Air Monitoring Plan. Environmental Clean Air Pollution $ ConocoPhillips air and forest health monitoring Protection & • Begin planning and site selection for the network of passive or new Alberta Surveillance Connacher programs have been designed to Enhancement Strategic $ technology monitoring at all SAGD facilities. Environment Act/Approvals Alliance Network $ monitor potential environmental 2015 Connacher & Sustainable effects resulting from these MEG Energy Resource Stakeholders $ developments. The number of

Development $Statoil resource extraction developments in the Lower Athabasca southern portion of the air shed, the area south Regional Plan/ # of Fort McMurray and north of Lac la Biche, are Janvier Frameworks currently on a smaller scale with respect to air

• Deployment of the southern boundary fixed air monitoring station $Statoil emissions, but are expected to increase over 2016 • Complete implementation of Southern Air Monitoring Plan field activities. the next several decades. As new projects are approved and commissioned in the southern $MEG Energy part of the air shed, air quality and forest health

Petrobank MEG Energy $ $ monitoring programs will need to be enhanced. WBEA’s proposed Southern Air Monitoring Plan will ensure that as resource extraction projects $ Cenovus Conklin $ Petrobank # (! WBEA’s long history of monitoring in the region are initiated in the southern portion of the RMWB, appropriate monitoring exists to provide AMS 18 $MEG Energy Harvest Operations Corp. $ $Cenovus has demonstrated that to be informative and stakeholders with the data they require to make informed environmental decisions. cost-effective, monitoring activities must not Devon $$ Devon only be integrated and well-coordinated, but $CNRL 2017 • Initial review of the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. also meet stakeholder needs. The Wood Buffalo Environmental Association (WBEA) is an independent, multi-stakeholder, Geography of the Area community-based, not-for-profit association of 38 member organizations located $CNRL in Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada. 0 4 8 12 16 20 Kilometers The southern area of the WBEA air shed is • Conduct dispersion modelling of emissions from the facilities in the region for For more information please contact: cumulative effects; perform ambient air and meteorological data analysis for defined as the area south of Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo Environmental Association | #100-330 Thickwood Blvd. Legend 5! (! north of Lac La Biche. The area is approximately identification of monitoring gaps, elimination of redundancies and opportunities Fort McMurray, AB. Canada T9K 1Y1 Wood Buffalo Environmental Association Proposed Radar Site Continuous Monitors for efficiency. Oil Sands Plant Status LICA Boundary 16,000 square kilometers with the highest terrain 2019 $ (780)-799-4420 | www.wbea.org Operating WBEA Boundary elevation being 740 meters above sea level WBEA Monitoring Network $ Approved Email: [email protected] $ Southern Area Application (masl). The lowest terrain elevation in the area Facebook: www.facebook.com/wbeapage $ Announced is 245 masl.

Twitter: @wbea1 September 26, 2014 Wood Buffalo Environmental WBEA’s Proposed Southern Proposed Southern Air Monitoring Historical Continuous Ambient Monitoring Data Association (WBEA) Air Monitoring Plan Plan Implementation WBEA has conducted a number of ambient air monitoring studies in the region using mobile and portable air monitoring stations. Observed values published in reports, to date, are presented in the table below: WBEA has monitored and reported air quality in WBEA has created a plan which proposes timely and WBEA members recommend three phases in the north-eastern Alberta since 1998. WBEA is one appropriate integrated air and terrestrial monitoring for development of a proposed monitoring plan for the of eight air sheds in Alberta that report hourly the southern RMWB, based upon current and future southern region of the municipality. These phases Location Conklin ConocoPhillips Cenovus Statoil ConocoPhillips Fort Global AAAQO/G air monitoring data to the provincial Clean Air Surmont Christina Leismer Surmont Chipewyan Background resource extraction plans. The Southern Air Monitoring are proposed in consideration of existing and future Lake Strategic Alliance (CASA) www.casahome.org. Parameter Plan proposes a science-based enhancement of development and monitoring in the region. Period units Statistical May 5 - Oct 2011 - Oct 15 2012 - May 23 - Jul 3 - Jan - 1-hour WBEA has recently increased partnerships with monitoring that meets regional stakeholder needs. Value Oct 10, 2012 Mar 2012 Jan 23, 2013 Aug 31, 2013 Oct 31, 2013 Dec 2013 governments to enhance monitoring activities In developing the Plan, consideration was given to Phase 1: 1-hour ppb Maximum 3.1 52 14 7 27 19 0.04 -0.53 172 under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation monitoring objectives and local geographical features Sulphur Dioxide 24-hour ppb Maximum 1.1 26 1.7 2 9 4 48 Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) and the such as terrain, meteorology, site characteristics, Annual ppb Average - - - - 0.3 8 1. Establish fixed ambient air monitoring stations in Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation emissions sources and supporting infrastructure, 1-hour ppb Maximum 5.9 60 2 2 6 - 0.03 - 0.84 10 the communities of Conklin and Janvier. Hydrogen Sulphide and Reporting Agency (AEMERA). including power and road access. Specifically, the Plan 24-hour ppb Maximum 0.5 9 1 1 1 - 3 was developed in consideration of a number of policy 2. Establish a network of meteorological towers, one 1-hour ppb Maximum 7.7 96 21 76 38 28 0.1 - 0.5 159 WBEA’s vision is to operate a state of the instruments and regulatory guidelines including: at each Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Nitrogen Dioxide 24-hour ppb Maximum 2.8 26 11 22 12 14 - art monitoring system that meets the needs facility, near their central processing facility, at the Annual ppb Average - - - - - 0.8 24 of residents and stakeholders in the Wood • The Alberta Air Monitoring Directive approximate point of maximum predicted 1-hour ppb Maximum 65 - 43 - - 65 30 - 40 82 Buffalo Region. WBEA’s mission is to monitor (AMD, February, 2014) ground-level pollution concentration. Ozone 24-hour ppb Maximum 50 - 37 - - 47 - air quality and air quality related environmental • Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO) 3. Consolidate existing air monitoring activities in the Annual ppb Average - - - - - 27.6 - indicators/impacts, and to generate accurate and region into the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. 1-hour ug/m3 Maximum 268 - 50 - - 133.2 80 • The 2009 Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Fine Particulate transparent information that enables stakeholders 24-hour ug/m3 Maximum 85 - 15 - - 56.3 30 for Alberta 4. Establish a fixed background station in the region Matter to make informed decisions. to generate baseline data for determination of Annual ug/m3 Average - - - - - 3.8 - • Management Frameworks trends and understanding of trans-boundary flow 1-hour ppmc Maximum 3.6 - 3.5 3.2 4.4 - 1.9 - 2.0 - By early 2015, WBEA will be operating • The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP) into and out of the air shed. Total Hydrocarbon 24-hour ppmc Maximum 2.5 - 2.5 2.4 2.4 - - 18 continuous regional monitoring stations, • Regulatory approvals to facility operators issued Annual ppmc Average ------each measuring between 3 and 10 air quality under the Environmental Protection and Phase 2: parameters. Continuously measured Enhancement Act (EPEA) parameters include: • Industrial dispersion modeling and site monitoring The topography of the southern area of the RMWB is characterized 5. Identify SAGD projects with production capacity Passive Monitoring Data by undulating to hummocky uplands with extensive wetlands and greater than 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) and • sulphur dioxide (SO ) numerous lakes. 2 A task group of the WBEA Ambient Air Technical establish one new, or incorporate an existing WBEA has established a series • oxides of nitrogen (NO ) of passive monitoring stations in x Committee (AATC) met regularly to consider continuous monitoring station, located near the • nitric oxide (NO) monitoring requirements in the southern RMWB and to central processing facility at the approximate point the region which monitor sulphur • nitrogen dioxide (NO ) The area is located in the Boreal Forest Natural Region develop and review the proposed plan. The resulting of maximum predicted ground-level concentration. dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, 2 of Alberta and is vegetated by deciduous, mixed wood Southern Air Monitoring Plan was the outcome of the nitric acid and ammonia. The • ammonia (NH ) 6. For SAGD projects with production levels below 3 and coniferous forest. The area contains portions of consensus-based deliberations of WBEA members, passive samplers provide monthly • ozone (O ) 100,000 bpd, establish a rotational ambient 3 both the Central and the Lower Boreal Highland Natural WBEA technical staff and WBEA science advisors. average measurements. Passive monitoring schedule to monitor ambient air for • total reduced sulphur (TRS) sub-regions (MEG Surmont EIA Application, 2012). Comments received from WBEA members were data from WBEA, industry and cumulative effects and compliance with respect • hydrogen sulphide (H S) addressed during the review process and the final the Lakeland Industry Community 2 to the AAAQO and CWS. • particulate matter (PM ) The area topography is characterized by undulating plan was endorsed by WBEA members. Association (LICA) were 2.5 to hummocky uplands with extensive wetlands and 7. Establish a passive monitoring network or new considered in the preparation of • total hydrocarbons (THC) numerous lakes. The Stony Mountains, located along WBEA’s Southern Regional Air Monitoring Plan was technology methods in the southern region to the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. • non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) the northwestern portion of the Christina River created to address the following objectives: meet the requirements of AESRD’s Industrial Air • carbon monoxide (CO) watershed, represent the largest hill complex in the Quality Management System. For instance, geostatistical area. Elevations range from 740 masl in the upper 1. To provide air quality data in support of environment methods were used to generate All stations also measure temperature, wind speed plateaus of the region to about 245 masl at the and human health exposure assessments. Phase 3: uncertainty concentration and wind direction. Parameters measured on a confluence of the Christina and Clearwater Rivers. Land 2. Address identified gaps in air quality and maps, pictured right, of sulphur time-integrated basis include: use consists mainly of forestry, oil and gas, recreation deposition monitoring in the southern region 8. Conduct a dispersion modelling study of emissions dioxide and nitrogen dioxide and subsistence (Natural Regions Committee 2006). of WBEA’s air shed. from the facilities in the southern region for concentrations in the region using 2011-2012 passive monitoring • volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Prominent linear features include Secondary Highway 3. Determine air quality relative to the Alberta cumulative effects; perform ambient air quality data. The purpose of these • reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) 881 and the Canadian National Railway (CN), both of Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO), the and meteorological data analysis for identification which traverse north to south through the area (MEG maps is to represent regional • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) or other criteria. of monitoring gaps, elimination of redundancies Surmont EIA Application, 2012). The map on the and opportunities for efficiencies. trends in concentration and • particulate matter < 10 m (PM ) 4. Support the monitoring and reporting µ 10 preceding page shows the communities, oil sands plant deposition data. • particulate matter (PM) chemical speciation requirements associated with air quality or status and WBEA continuous air monitoring sites in the WBEA has now entered into a period of follow-on southern area of the RMWB. deposition management frameworks and EPEA regulatory approvals. engagement on future planning with members in At selected sites measurements of relative the southern area of the RMWB. In parallel, the 5. Characterize background and trans-boundary air WBEA has conducted short-term air humidity, barometric pressure, global radiation, There are two dominant communities in the region Southern Air Monitoring Plan is being proposed to quality in the region. monitoring surveys in southern RMWB precipitation, dew point, surface wetness and with scattered primary dwellings and seasonal cabins. the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation communities. Portable Air Monitoring vertical temperature gradient are also made. The population of Conklin in 2012 was 318, according 6. Detect poor air quality events so the public may and Reporting Agency (AEMERA), for funding in the Station 101 monitored in Conklin, at the to a municipal census conducted by the RMWB. The be notified. home of Wendy Tremblay and family, WBEA’s regionally-based Forest Health Monitoring 2015/16 fiscal year. for five months in 2012. Program integrates soil and vegetation monitoring population of Janvier, also known as Janvier South or 7. Provide chemical profiles of pollution sources for and uses twenty-five passive monitoring sites to Chard was 171 in 2012, according to a municipal census source apportionment work. measure air quality in the boreal forest. conducted by the RMWB. 8. Determine long-term air quality trends. Wood Buffalo Environmental WBEA’s Proposed Southern Proposed Southern Air Monitoring Historical Continuous Ambient Monitoring Data Association (WBEA) Air Monitoring Plan Plan Implementation WBEA has conducted a number of ambient air monitoring studies in the region using mobile and portable air monitoring stations. Observed values published in reports, to date, are presented in the table below: WBEA has monitored and reported air quality in WBEA has created a plan which proposes timely and WBEA members recommend three phases in the north-eastern Alberta since 1998. WBEA is one appropriate integrated air and terrestrial monitoring for development of a proposed monitoring plan for the of eight air sheds in Alberta that report hourly the southern RMWB, based upon current and future southern region of the municipality. These phases Location Conklin ConocoPhillips Cenovus Statoil ConocoPhillips Fort Global AAAQO/G air monitoring data to the provincial Clean Air Surmont Christina Leismer Surmont Chipewyan Background resource extraction plans. The Southern Air Monitoring are proposed in consideration of existing and future Lake Strategic Alliance (CASA) www.casahome.org. Parameter Plan proposes a science-based enhancement of development and monitoring in the region. Period units Statistical May 5 - Oct 2011 - Oct 15 2012 - May 23 - Jul 3 - Jan - 1-hour WBEA has recently increased partnerships with monitoring that meets regional stakeholder needs. Value Oct 10, 2012 Mar 2012 Jan 23, 2013 Aug 31, 2013 Oct 31, 2013 Dec 2013 governments to enhance monitoring activities In developing the Plan, consideration was given to Phase 1: 1-hour ppb Maximum 3.1 52 14 7 27 19 0.04 -0.53 172 under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation monitoring objectives and local geographical features Sulphur Dioxide 24-hour ppb Maximum 1.1 26 1.7 2 9 4 48 Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) and the such as terrain, meteorology, site characteristics, Annual ppb Average - - - - 0.3 8 1. Establish fixed ambient air monitoring stations in Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation emissions sources and supporting infrastructure, 1-hour ppb Maximum 5.9 60 2 2 6 - 0.03 - 0.84 10 the communities of Conklin and Janvier. Hydrogen Sulphide and Reporting Agency (AEMERA). including power and road access. Specifically, the Plan 24-hour ppb Maximum 0.5 9 1 1 1 - 3 was developed in consideration of a number of policy 2. Establish a network of meteorological towers, one 1-hour ppb Maximum 7.7 96 21 76 38 28 0.1 - 0.5 159 WBEA’s vision is to operate a state of the instruments and regulatory guidelines including: at each Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Nitrogen Dioxide 24-hour ppb Maximum 2.8 26 11 22 12 14 - art monitoring system that meets the needs facility, near their central processing facility, at the Annual ppb Average - - - - - 0.8 24 of residents and stakeholders in the Wood • The Alberta Air Monitoring Directive approximate point of maximum predicted 1-hour ppb Maximum 65 - 43 - - 65 30 - 40 82 Buffalo Region. WBEA’s mission is to monitor (AMD, February, 2014) ground-level pollution concentration. Ozone 24-hour ppb Maximum 50 - 37 - - 47 - air quality and air quality related environmental • Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO) 3. Consolidate existing air monitoring activities in the Annual ppb Average - - - - - 27.6 - indicators/impacts, and to generate accurate and region into the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. 1-hour ug/m3 Maximum 268 - 50 - - 133.2 80 • The 2009 Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Fine Particulate transparent information that enables stakeholders 24-hour ug/m3 Maximum 85 - 15 - - 56.3 30 for Alberta 4. Establish a fixed background station in the region Matter to make informed decisions. to generate baseline data for determination of Annual ug/m3 Average - - - - - 3.8 - • Management Frameworks trends and understanding of trans-boundary flow 1-hour ppmc Maximum 3.6 - 3.5 3.2 4.4 - 1.9 - 2.0 - By early 2015, WBEA will be operating • The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP) into and out of the air shed. Total Hydrocarbon 24-hour ppmc Maximum 2.5 - 2.5 2.4 2.4 - - 18 continuous regional monitoring stations, • Regulatory approvals to facility operators issued Annual ppmc Average ------each measuring between 3 and 10 air quality under the Environmental Protection and Phase 2: parameters. Continuously measured Enhancement Act (EPEA) parameters include: • Industrial dispersion modeling and site monitoring The topography of the southern area of the RMWB is characterized 5. Identify SAGD projects with production capacity Passive Monitoring Data by undulating to hummocky uplands with extensive wetlands and greater than 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) and • sulphur dioxide (SO ) numerous lakes. 2 A task group of the WBEA Ambient Air Technical establish one new, or incorporate an existing WBEA has established a series • oxides of nitrogen (NO ) of passive monitoring stations in x Committee (AATC) met regularly to consider continuous monitoring station, located near the • nitric oxide (NO) monitoring requirements in the southern RMWB and to central processing facility at the approximate point the region which monitor sulphur • nitrogen dioxide (NO ) The area is located in the Boreal Forest Natural Region develop and review the proposed plan. The resulting of maximum predicted ground-level concentration. dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, 2 of Alberta and is vegetated by deciduous, mixed wood Southern Air Monitoring Plan was the outcome of the nitric acid and ammonia. The • ammonia (NH ) 6. For SAGD projects with production levels below 3 and coniferous forest. The area contains portions of consensus-based deliberations of WBEA members, passive samplers provide monthly • ozone (O ) 100,000 bpd, establish a rotational ambient 3 both the Central and the Lower Boreal Highland Natural WBEA technical staff and WBEA science advisors. average measurements. Passive monitoring schedule to monitor ambient air for • total reduced sulphur (TRS) sub-regions (MEG Surmont EIA Application, 2012). Comments received from WBEA members were data from WBEA, industry and cumulative effects and compliance with respect • hydrogen sulphide (H S) addressed during the review process and the final the Lakeland Industry Community 2 to the AAAQO and CWS. • particulate matter (PM ) The area topography is characterized by undulating plan was endorsed by WBEA members. Association (LICA) were 2.5 to hummocky uplands with extensive wetlands and 7. Establish a passive monitoring network or new considered in the preparation of • total hydrocarbons (THC) numerous lakes. The Stony Mountains, located along WBEA’s Southern Regional Air Monitoring Plan was technology methods in the southern region to the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. • non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) the northwestern portion of the Christina River created to address the following objectives: meet the requirements of AESRD’s Industrial Air • carbon monoxide (CO) watershed, represent the largest hill complex in the Quality Management System. For instance, geostatistical area. Elevations range from 740 masl in the upper 1. To provide air quality data in support of environment methods were used to generate All stations also measure temperature, wind speed plateaus of the region to about 245 masl at the and human health exposure assessments. Phase 3: uncertainty concentration and wind direction. Parameters measured on a confluence of the Christina and Clearwater Rivers. Land 2. Address identified gaps in air quality and maps, pictured right, of sulphur time-integrated basis include: use consists mainly of forestry, oil and gas, recreation deposition monitoring in the southern region 8. Conduct a dispersion modelling study of emissions dioxide and nitrogen dioxide and subsistence (Natural Regions Committee 2006). of WBEA’s air shed. from the facilities in the southern region for concentrations in the region using 2011-2012 passive monitoring • volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Prominent linear features include Secondary Highway 3. Determine air quality relative to the Alberta cumulative effects; perform ambient air quality data. The purpose of these • reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) 881 and the Canadian National Railway (CN), both of Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO), the and meteorological data analysis for identification which traverse north to south through the area (MEG maps is to represent regional • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) or other criteria. of monitoring gaps, elimination of redundancies Surmont EIA Application, 2012). The map on the and opportunities for efficiencies. trends in concentration and • particulate matter < 10 m (PM ) 4. Support the monitoring and reporting µ 10 preceding page shows the communities, oil sands plant deposition data. • particulate matter (PM) chemical speciation requirements associated with air quality or status and WBEA continuous air monitoring sites in the WBEA has now entered into a period of follow-on southern area of the RMWB. deposition management frameworks and EPEA regulatory approvals. engagement on future planning with members in At selected sites measurements of relative the southern area of the RMWB. In parallel, the 5. Characterize background and trans-boundary air WBEA has conducted short-term air humidity, barometric pressure, global radiation, There are two dominant communities in the region Southern Air Monitoring Plan is being proposed to quality in the region. monitoring surveys in southern RMWB precipitation, dew point, surface wetness and with scattered primary dwellings and seasonal cabins. the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation communities. Portable Air Monitoring vertical temperature gradient are also made. The population of Conklin in 2012 was 318, according 6. Detect poor air quality events so the public may and Reporting Agency (AEMERA), for funding in the Station 101 monitored in Conklin, at the to a municipal census conducted by the RMWB. The be notified. home of Wendy Tremblay and family, WBEA’s regionally-based Forest Health Monitoring 2015/16 fiscal year. for five months in 2012. Program integrates soil and vegetation monitoring population of Janvier, also known as Janvier South or 7. Provide chemical profiles of pollution sources for and uses twenty-five passive monitoring sites to Chard was 171 in 2012, according to a municipal census source apportionment work. measure air quality in the boreal forest. conducted by the RMWB. 8. Determine long-term air quality trends. Wood Buffalo Environmental WBEA’s Proposed Southern Proposed Southern Air Monitoring Historical Continuous Ambient Monitoring Data Association (WBEA) Air Monitoring Plan Plan Implementation WBEA has conducted a number of ambient air monitoring studies in the region using mobile and portable air monitoring stations. Observed values published in reports, to date, are presented in the table below: WBEA has monitored and reported air quality in WBEA has created a plan which proposes timely and WBEA members recommend three phases in the north-eastern Alberta since 1998. WBEA is one appropriate integrated air and terrestrial monitoring for development of a proposed monitoring plan for the of eight air sheds in Alberta that report hourly the southern RMWB, based upon current and future southern region of the municipality. These phases Location Conklin ConocoPhillips Cenovus Statoil ConocoPhillips Fort Global AAAQO/G air monitoring data to the provincial Clean Air Surmont Christina Leismer Surmont Chipewyan Background resource extraction plans. The Southern Air Monitoring are proposed in consideration of existing and future Lake Strategic Alliance (CASA) www.casahome.org. Parameter Plan proposes a science-based enhancement of development and monitoring in the region. Period units Statistical May 5 - Oct 2011 - Oct 15 2012 - May 23 - Jul 3 - Jan - 1-hour WBEA has recently increased partnerships with monitoring that meets regional stakeholder needs. Value Oct 10, 2012 Mar 2012 Jan 23, 2013 Aug 31, 2013 Oct 31, 2013 Dec 2013 governments to enhance monitoring activities In developing the Plan, consideration was given to Phase 1: 1-hour ppb Maximum 3.1 52 14 7 27 19 0.04 -0.53 172 under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation monitoring objectives and local geographical features Sulphur Dioxide 24-hour ppb Maximum 1.1 26 1.7 2 9 4 48 Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) and the such as terrain, meteorology, site characteristics, Annual ppb Average - - - - 0.3 8 1. Establish fixed ambient air monitoring stations in Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation emissions sources and supporting infrastructure, 1-hour ppb Maximum 5.9 60 2 2 6 - 0.03 - 0.84 10 the communities of Conklin and Janvier. Hydrogen Sulphide and Reporting Agency (AEMERA). including power and road access. Specifically, the Plan 24-hour ppb Maximum 0.5 9 1 1 1 - 3 was developed in consideration of a number of policy 2. Establish a network of meteorological towers, one 1-hour ppb Maximum 7.7 96 21 76 38 28 0.1 - 0.5 159 WBEA’s vision is to operate a state of the instruments and regulatory guidelines including: at each Steam-Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) Nitrogen Dioxide 24-hour ppb Maximum 2.8 26 11 22 12 14 - art monitoring system that meets the needs facility, near their central processing facility, at the Annual ppb Average - - - - - 0.8 24 of residents and stakeholders in the Wood • The Alberta Air Monitoring Directive approximate point of maximum predicted 1-hour ppb Maximum 65 - 43 - - 65 30 - 40 82 Buffalo Region. WBEA’s mission is to monitor (AMD, February, 2014) ground-level pollution concentration. Ozone 24-hour ppb Maximum 50 - 37 - - 47 - air quality and air quality related environmental • Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO) 3. Consolidate existing air monitoring activities in the Annual ppb Average - - - - - 27.6 - indicators/impacts, and to generate accurate and region into the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. 1-hour ug/m3 Maximum 268 - 50 - - 133.2 80 • The 2009 Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Fine Particulate transparent information that enables stakeholders 24-hour ug/m3 Maximum 85 - 15 - - 56.3 30 for Alberta 4. Establish a fixed background station in the region Matter to make informed decisions. to generate baseline data for determination of Annual ug/m3 Average - - - - - 3.8 - • Management Frameworks trends and understanding of trans-boundary flow 1-hour ppmc Maximum 3.6 - 3.5 3.2 4.4 - 1.9 - 2.0 - By early 2015, WBEA will be operating • The Lower Athabasca Regional Plan (LARP) into and out of the air shed. Total Hydrocarbon 24-hour ppmc Maximum 2.5 - 2.5 2.4 2.4 - - 18 continuous regional monitoring stations, • Regulatory approvals to facility operators issued Annual ppmc Average ------each measuring between 3 and 10 air quality under the Environmental Protection and Phase 2: parameters. Continuously measured Enhancement Act (EPEA) parameters include: • Industrial dispersion modeling and site monitoring The topography of the southern area of the RMWB is characterized 5. Identify SAGD projects with production capacity Passive Monitoring Data by undulating to hummocky uplands with extensive wetlands and greater than 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) and • sulphur dioxide (SO ) numerous lakes. 2 A task group of the WBEA Ambient Air Technical establish one new, or incorporate an existing WBEA has established a series • oxides of nitrogen (NO ) of passive monitoring stations in x Committee (AATC) met regularly to consider continuous monitoring station, located near the • nitric oxide (NO) monitoring requirements in the southern RMWB and to central processing facility at the approximate point the region which monitor sulphur • nitrogen dioxide (NO ) The area is located in the Boreal Forest Natural Region develop and review the proposed plan. The resulting of maximum predicted ground-level concentration. dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, 2 of Alberta and is vegetated by deciduous, mixed wood Southern Air Monitoring Plan was the outcome of the nitric acid and ammonia. The • ammonia (NH ) 6. For SAGD projects with production levels below 3 and coniferous forest. The area contains portions of consensus-based deliberations of WBEA members, passive samplers provide monthly • ozone (O ) 100,000 bpd, establish a rotational ambient 3 both the Central and the Lower Boreal Highland Natural WBEA technical staff and WBEA science advisors. average measurements. Passive monitoring schedule to monitor ambient air for • total reduced sulphur (TRS) sub-regions (MEG Surmont EIA Application, 2012). Comments received from WBEA members were data from WBEA, industry and cumulative effects and compliance with respect • hydrogen sulphide (H S) addressed during the review process and the final the Lakeland Industry Community 2 to the AAAQO and CWS. • particulate matter (PM ) The area topography is characterized by undulating plan was endorsed by WBEA members. Association (LICA) were 2.5 to hummocky uplands with extensive wetlands and 7. Establish a passive monitoring network or new considered in the preparation of • total hydrocarbons (THC) numerous lakes. The Stony Mountains, located along WBEA’s Southern Regional Air Monitoring Plan was technology methods in the southern region to the Southern Air Monitoring Plan. • non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) the northwestern portion of the Christina River created to address the following objectives: meet the requirements of AESRD’s Industrial Air • carbon monoxide (CO) watershed, represent the largest hill complex in the Quality Management System. For instance, geostatistical area. Elevations range from 740 masl in the upper 1. To provide air quality data in support of environment methods were used to generate All stations also measure temperature, wind speed plateaus of the region to about 245 masl at the and human health exposure assessments. Phase 3: uncertainty concentration and wind direction. Parameters measured on a confluence of the Christina and Clearwater Rivers. Land 2. Address identified gaps in air quality and maps, pictured right, of sulphur time-integrated basis include: use consists mainly of forestry, oil and gas, recreation deposition monitoring in the southern region 8. Conduct a dispersion modelling study of emissions dioxide and nitrogen dioxide and subsistence (Natural Regions Committee 2006). of WBEA’s air shed. from the facilities in the southern region for concentrations in the region using 2011-2012 passive monitoring • volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Prominent linear features include Secondary Highway 3. Determine air quality relative to the Alberta cumulative effects; perform ambient air quality data. The purpose of these • reduced sulphur compounds (RSCs) 881 and the Canadian National Railway (CN), both of Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQO), the and meteorological data analysis for identification which traverse north to south through the area (MEG maps is to represent regional • polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) Canada-Wide Standards (CWS) or other criteria. of monitoring gaps, elimination of redundancies Surmont EIA Application, 2012). The map on the and opportunities for efficiencies. trends in concentration and • particulate matter < 10 m (PM ) 4. Support the monitoring and reporting µ 10 preceding page shows the communities, oil sands plant deposition data. • particulate matter (PM) chemical speciation requirements associated with air quality or status and WBEA continuous air monitoring sites in the WBEA has now entered into a period of follow-on southern area of the RMWB. deposition management frameworks and EPEA regulatory approvals. engagement on future planning with members in At selected sites measurements of relative the southern area of the RMWB. In parallel, the 5. Characterize background and trans-boundary air WBEA has conducted short-term air humidity, barometric pressure, global radiation, There are two dominant communities in the region Southern Air Monitoring Plan is being proposed to quality in the region. monitoring surveys in southern RMWB precipitation, dew point, surface wetness and with scattered primary dwellings and seasonal cabins. the Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation communities. Portable Air Monitoring vertical temperature gradient are also made. The population of Conklin in 2012 was 318, according 6. Detect poor air quality events so the public may and Reporting Agency (AEMERA), for funding in the Station 101 monitored in Conklin, at the to a municipal census conducted by the RMWB. The be notified. home of Wendy Tremblay and family, WBEA’s regionally-based Forest Health Monitoring 2015/16 fiscal year. for five months in 2012. Program integrates soil and vegetation monitoring population of Janvier, also known as Janvier South or 7. Provide chemical profiles of pollution sources for and uses twenty-five passive monitoring sites to Chard was 171 in 2012, according to a municipal census source apportionment work. measure air quality in the boreal forest. conducted by the RMWB. 8. Determine long-term air quality trends. Proposed Southern Air Monitoring Plan - Next Steps Southern Air Monitoring Plan Operations and Data Management

Twitter: @wbea1 September 26, 2014 Proposed Southern Air Monitoring Plan - Next Steps Southern Air Monitoring Plan Operations and Data Management

Twitter: @wbea1 September 26, 2014