De cember

2 006 • Vol. 14, No. 6

AWA

Ice on Sheep River (N. Douglas)

NATURAL AREA STEWARDS UNITE PASSION AND VIGILANCE, PART ONE / 4

WHOʼS IN CHARGE? THE SECRET STANDOFF IN CFB SUFFIELD / 12

TAR SANDS MINING WILL DESTROY MCCLELLAND LAKE FEN / 19

WAR ON PINE BEETLE MAY SACRIFICE CARIBOU, PROTECTED AREAS / 22

Editorial Board: Shirley Bray, Ph.D. CDECEMBERONTENTS 2006 • VOL. 14, NO. 6 Andy Marshall Joyce Hildebrand OUT FRONT UPDATES Printing by: 4 STEWARDS UNITE PASSION 29 AWA JOINS CARIBOU MOUNTAINS Colour printing and process is AND VIGILANCE IN CARE AND COMMITTEE sponsored by Topline Printing PROTECTION OF NATURAL AREAS, IMPLICATIONS FOR WATERSHEDS IN PART 1: THE GOLDEN YEARS 29 THE CASTLE 10 VIVIAN PHARIS: DEEP LOVE FOR WILDERNESS SPRINGS FROM PROFILE SUMMERS ON RANCH

30 CARDSTON ARTIST DOES MUCH ALBERTA WILDERNESS WATCH MORE THAN “SCRATCH THE SURFACE”

12 WHO’S IN CHARGE? THE SECRET Graphic Design: ASSOCIATION NEWS STANDOFF IN CFB SUFFIELD Ball Creative

19 MCCLELLAND LAKE WATERSHED: 31 OPEN HOUSE PROGRAM “MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN Wild Lands Advocate is SHINES!” SAYS PETRO-CANADA 31 ANNUAL LECTURE AND AWARDS published bimonthly, 6 times a year, by Alberta Wilderness 22 WAR ON PINE BEETLE MAY SACRIFICE CARIBOU, PROTECTED Association. The opinions AREAS expressed by the authors in this publication are not 26 ARE PARKS VALUABLE FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES? necessarily those of AWA. The editors reserve the right 27 YELLOWSTONE’S GRIZZLY to edit, reject or withdraw RECOVERY A GOOD LESSON FOR articles and letters submitted. ALBERTA © Colleen Yuill © Colleen Please direct questions and comments to: Shirley Bray Phone: (403) 270-2736 Fax: (403) 270-2743

© Colleen Yuill © Colleen [email protected]

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As we go to print with the final issue of the Wild Lands Advocate ADDRESS: for the year 2006, we look forward to 2007 with a promise of commitment and dedication to the protection of Albertaʼs wilderness. CITY/PROV:

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Christyann Olson, Executive Director Send payments to: P.O. Box 6398, Station D Calgary, AB T2P 2E1 or donate online @ www.albertawilderness.ca 1-866-313-0713 S. Bray EARS

Y AND

OLDEN ARE G The County apologetically said Dickson argued for three years Dickson argued C HE IN

Winter 2004 Winter : Partners in Preservation, it wasnʼt in their jurisdiction anymore it wasnʼt was told to go to the Department of Infrastructure. with various levels of government before she finally got a utility company who were cutting under their crew, transmission lines, to cut the whole width of the ditch at the NA. But she points out that the brush will just grow and they could do nothing about it except warn the province of the danger. said the brush in the ditch Parks staff was not actually in the NA, so they The local Public Lands could not cut it. were to whom stewards land manager, directed to take their concerns initially, 1: T 1: From ART IGILANCE , P V REAS AND

legally some of those activities may be allowed. A volunteer steward for Antler Lake, Albertaʼs smallest Natural Area. Natural smallest Albertaʼs Antler Lake, for volunteer steward ASSION ATURAL P When the road was a County road, N Typical signs placed by volunteer stewards at Natural Area entrances and provided entrances and provided Area at Natural signs placed by volunteer stewards Typical by government. These signs request that users refrain from certain activities, although from that users refrain by government. These signs request NITE OF she explains, a transport staff person she explains, a transport staff When paved roads became a provincial When paved roads became a provincial Department of the responsibility, contracted Transport Infrastructure and out road maintenance. But the contract people told Dickson this particular job in their contract. wasnʼt had been allowed to grow in the ditch had been allowed to grow in the ditch between the boundary and the road. Dangerous accidents happened when deer – and sometimes moose, coyotes, and geese – leaped unexpectedly from the bushes onto the road. saw that the brush was kept trimmed. speeding semis transporting farmersʼ speeding semis transporting farmersʼ heading to Pine grain and for huge RVs NA, vegetation At the Innisfail Lake.

Chel MacDonald, U – Shirley Bray ROTECTION TEWARDS P By S But NAs often have pressures and She and other volunteers worked The life of a caring and During Dicksonʼs years in During Dicksonʼs If you measure it by the current environmental jingles like biodiversity, wildlife corridors and endangered spaces, my wildlife corridors and endangered jingles like biodiversity, environmental it by the current If you measure determined Volunteer Steward is well- Volunteer determined a quiet rural road to a throughway for into a monumental one. Innisfail, Highway 590 changed from get the backup we need,” says Dickson. She launches into the tale of how a turned simple task at the Innisfail NA insurmountable for those with limited fortitude and persistence. “Because of in attitude cutbacks, and changes staff we donʼt due to changes in senior staff, problems that cannot be solved by a lone steward; their resolution can seem government,” which allocated only a few people to look after hundreds of areas. help them “get a better handle on the help them “get a better handle on the value of the area,” and was lauded by She for her efforts. those same staff was one of “the eyes and ears of the residents and users in the area, sent Program (now her reports in to the NA to Areas) staff Parks and Protected she monitored changes in the site over she monitored changes in the site over time and made inventory lists of flora and fauna. She connected with other stewards do. to get an access control fence erected; spent as steward for “this innocuous that RDRN [Red little quarter-section Deer River Naturalists] asked me to Dickson did what many look after,” southeast of Red Deer along Highway southeast of Red Deer along Highway 590. During the 18 years Dickson illustrated through the tales Dorothy Dickson tells of her years looking Area (NA) after the Innisfail Natural skinny little island doesnʼt seem like it has much to offer. But oh, the hours that Iʼve spent enjoying it. And not only me. Some And not it. oh, the hours that Iʼve spent enjoying But much to offer. seem like it has doesnʼt skinny little island exploring on it, climbing the old birch it, do. Paddling around their children not have time to spend with it – but may residents has its wilderness memories where all their own, they build warm in a beautiful little world temporarily and exulting trees hearts and in must have its special place in our wilderness First and foremost, this is the crux of it, you know. And special place. be out there. then it wonʼt if it is not in here, our souls. Because

OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 4 OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 5 in 1971. Peter Most NAs are remnants or Most NAs are remnants The first official NAs were The government first used The government first early sixties when Public Lands field field Lands Public sixties when early and to develop legislation. under designated by Order-in-Council Act the Public Lands Coordinator in 1974 to handle the growing administrative work of the NA Areas Branch The Natural program. division of Public became an official Lands in 1990. number of NAs were simply the two and 29) set aside in every sections (11 township by the federal government at the end of the nineteenth century as school and reserve land that remained undeveloped. Many NAs are fairly Their small size small and remote. makes them more vulnerable to disturbance, but they might be the only local area left in its natural state in some places. A the term “natural areas” in 1963. committee was appointed in 1965 to establish a system of NAs in the province as a Canada centennial Committee was The NA project. retained and worked over the next 15 years to identify potential sites for Ecological Reserves (ERs) and NAs, inspectors, evaluating land for sale or for sale land evaluating inspectors, certain recommended that disposition, areas” left as “wilderness parcels be they reserves” because or “public and valuable for recreation were more for were simply unsuitable wildlife, or development. within islands of natural landscapes A Zone). White settled areas (the Achuff was hired as the first NA NA was hired as the first Achuff Dorothy Dickson enjoys one of AWA’s guided hikes in the Whaleback. AWA’s Dickson enjoys one of Dorothy The Natural Areas program The Natural When Lee left government in The Wagner Natural Area Society Area Society Natural Wagner The

Dickson says the VSP started as a as started VSP the says Dickson and staff the between partnership 1997 to join WWF in their Endangered WWF in their Endangered 1997 to join WNAS Spaces Campaign, former Alice Hendry said in her president we served as willing tribute, “In a way, was one of a number of government programs for the designation and management of protected areas. It had and its beginnings in the late fifties guinea pigs for a program that this province can look upon with pride. and dedication, your vision Without there would not be a volunteer steward Alberta, there would not program in Society and Area Natural Wagner be a Natural Wagner there would not be a Area.” Divisions Area Natural up as a flagship stewardship group: it has won a number of national and provincial awards for its work in Wagner preserving and managing Bog, as it is also known, just west of WNAS honoured Lee with Edmonton. an appreciation award in 1993 for his critical support and commitment through the many management and conservation issues. (WNAS) credits Leeʼs experience (WNAS) credits Leeʼs with which he was with the Society, fun, such a trusting relationship,” she a trusting relationship,” fun, such recalls. for the involved from its inception, WNAS is held VSP. conception of the stewards with everyone working with everyone working stewards such same goal. “It was toward the T. Snaith T. “My goals were to set up a public The Volunteer Steward Program Steward Program Volunteer The The future of both the NAs Dickson is one of many long-time Dickson is one of many watchdog for our provinceʼs special watchdog for our provinceʼs (VSP) was launched in August 1987 as (VSP) was launched in 87, the celebration of Wildlife part of and Volunteer Stewards has never Stewards has never Volunteer and of abundant optimism, government involvement, and great communication. “and to provide training, support, and camaraderie to the stewards.” Long-time stewards have many fond memories of these early years as times natural places,” says Lee, who now Canada, Watch works for Global Forest Bill Richards. headed a group of three biologists and two technicians, including Lorna Allen, John Rintoul, Sandra Myers (the Steward coordinator), and Volunteer the hundredth anniversary of wildlife conservation in Canada. It was modeled Ecological Reserves after B.C.ʼs Program. Peter Lee, Warden Volunteer Program Coordinator, the third NA Celebratory Beginnings we will examine the history of the stewards, their challenges and NA triumphs. the programs going through many ups the programs going through many ups and downs. In this three-part series, been assured, but the passion and persistence of the stewards and some have kept dedicated government staff – although in retrospect the pigs might – although in retrospect the pigs might have been easier to deal with than various government departments. with a load of dead pigs dumped in has a prized – a story that her NA stewardship place in the history of NA and ears” for this island of aspen and and ears” for this island by farmersʼ poplar woods surrounded had to deal At least she never fields. other stewards help out being the “eyes other stewards help need. who share similar volunteer stewards she to Red Deer, tales. Having moved as often, but out to the NA get doesnʼt able to enlist the backup from other able to enlist the backup departments that stewards understaffed says, “but their hands are tied and their hands are tied says, “but between thing is confused the whole and the Parks departments” different seem donʼt Areas staff and Protected up “and weʼre going to go through go through going to weʼre up “and the Thatʼs again.” the rigamarole Steward Volunteer the sort of thing she is really excellent for, Program Courtesy of S. Myers office,” says Myers. The government had a modest In 1981 Diane Griffin, the second In 1981 Diane Griffin, it will always be proudly hung in my it will always be proudly in her office with typical piles of files. in her office with typical piles of files. The back of the picture was signed by The back of the picture all the staff and stewards that attended all the staff and stewards Sandra Myers and Peter Lee at the first Sandra Myers and Peter Lee at the first the conference. “I was so honoured and “I was so honoured the conference. Myers with a framed caricature of herself Myers with a framed caricature volunteer conference. Peter Lee presented presented Lee Peter conference. volunteer Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) also stepped in to help purchase land Wagner sites, such as Some Wagner. at and Innisfail, soon had volunteer Twenty-two groups looking after them. sites were deleted in 1985 because they were too small, had little biodiversity, Additions or had poor or no access. and deletions have continued over the years. heritage and biological diversity as a diversity and biological heritage of in their quality valued investment program of the NA The objectives life.” and manage protect, were to identify, use and to facilitate public NAs and involvement. released a list of 431 coordinator, NA sites and their proposed and existing of designation. recommended type philosophy The overall management its course.” was to “let nature take bunch of sites But they were a mixed purposes; this serving a variety of have to difficult has always made it for this category blanket definitions sites had some Yet of protected areas. features of national and international significance. land acquisition budget and contributed funds for the purchase of lands for, and J.J. Wagner among other sites, the The Areas in 1974. Collett Natural programʼs conservation of natural of natural conservation programʼs

has minimal WAERNA Act The WAERNA this attention may be all that be all may this attention areas from these has saved from the system. being deleted for dispositions Applications could be NA in a designated only by the Minister, approved for a candidate whereas those could be approved at NA The the civil service level. was always meant to PNT but many sites be temporary, category still remain in this it is a with the excuse that them slow process to get this did designated. However, in not seem to be a problem 1971 or later in 1987. gave NAs no legislated protection by law or general regulation: that is, it did not automatically place a standard set of restrictions beyond requiring compliance with its The sometimes general intent. contradictory objectives of were to Act NAs stated in the protect sensitive and scenic The vision of the program was: The main goal for NAs was to Public Lands Act The Public Lands “Albertans increasingly view the NA “Albertans increasingly view the NA Collett for education, and Coyote Lake for conservation. recreation, tree cutting, and random camping, all issues that can cause problems and complaints, may be allowed. maintain their natural characteristics while providing low-impact recreation, education, and/or conservation. NAs were initially divided into these three categories, which were not mutually is now exclusive, but this classification examples include Well-known defunct. and J.J. Wagner Beehive for recreation, regulations to be made regarding administration, management, operation, and utilization, and it also allows jurisdiction to be transferred to any Minister. provisions for protection. For example, people are not allowed to conduct activities that would negatively affect damage water watershed capacity, bodies, or result in soil erosion. But many activities such as motorized land from disturbance and to provide land from disturbance and to provide public land in a natural state for public Act does allow the use. However, WAERNA WAERNA Public ). Alberta ). could either (1) become a vegetation is an important safety feature. In 1981 the government amended A PNT is considered a “red flag” is considered a “red flag” PNT A A site placed under an interim NA site placed under an interim NA A Natural Area. Keeping the ditch clear of high Area. Natural if there was high public support Highway 590 and the boundary of the Innisfail Highway 590 and the boundary of the Innisfail

Lands Act Lands designated NA through the designated NA the Wilderness Areas Act to add ERs Areas Wilderness the forward for an area. Many stewards look after these candidate NAs, and of the natural features that initially recommended it). when development proposals are put the system if it did not meet the criteria during the referral process (including unresolved conflicts or the degradation receive another type of protected area designation; or (3) be dropped from Act (2) and no outstanding conflicts; reservation, referred to as a protective notation (PNT), under the these divisions – at that point part of – have Wildlife Lands and Forestry, shifted departments over the years, as has Parks. Recreation and Parks ran the fledgling Recreation and Parks ran the fledgling ER program. NAs were managed through Public Lands (and the Public White Zone, Act) in the Lands Service (and Alberta Forest through the Green Zone, Act) in the Forestry All of Wildlife. or through Fish and WAERNA Act and NAs (WAERNA S. Bray S.

OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 6 OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 7 Although Dinwoodie represented She emphasizes the importance the Alpine Club of Canada, she was Alpine Club of the out to the areas, they may be the only ones who notice problems and changes often the They are or who report them. only ones with time to develop valuable and fauna. Parks is inventories of flora “they says Dinwoodie, so short-staffed, and have people to go around donʼt inspect all these places. So if it wasnʼt for the stewards, these places probably exist.” wouldnʼt also a member of the co-steward group, also a member of the co-steward group, Plant Council. Alberta Native the how she learned Through the latter, unique and interesting this alpine area says stewardship of She is floristically. the area “became my interest in life” after she retired. “It took a lot of time have been and I certainly wouldnʼt able to do it if I had been working,” know really she says, adding, “I didnʼt what I was getting into when I started, but it has certainly expanded my horizons considerably.” of sending in inspection reports even if there is no change in the area. She says that because the stewards actually go was up to the stewards if they wanted if they wanted stewards to the was up Dinwoodie, Alison more,” says to do for the volunteer steward a long-time now Divide Candidate NA, Cardinal It Park. Wildland Whitehorse part of as much as stewards to learn was up to to contact their sites and possible about and adjacent local land managers They were encouraged to landowners. participate in site propose projects and management plans. and trees, but an upward thrust and the positive nature of the program. thrust and the positive nature but an upward and trees, Edmonton graphic designer, Doug Madill (right) both feature a blue heron, a blue heron, Doug Madill (right) both feature Edmonton graphic designer, The original Volunteer Steward logo (left) and the one developed in 1989 by logo (left) and the Steward The original Volunteer “It was really just a kind of a The public response was The public Among staff objectives were to objectives were Among staff 1989 newsletter explains that the colour scheme represented blue skies and green blue skies and green scheme represented 1989 newsletter explains that the colour chosen because it is a majestic bird found in many parts of the province. The July found in many parts of the province. chosen because it is a majestic bird landscapes. Cattails represented wetlands and other sensitive areas.Trees showed and other sensitive areas.Trees wetlands landscapes. Cattails represented the diversity of Alberta’s lands. The triangle design represented not only mountains not only mountains lands. The triangle design represented Alberta’s the diversity of and our staff is not large enough to enough not large is staff and our monitoring effort, but beyond that it but beyond monitoring effort, reports; she remained a favourite of the stewards during her tenure. and to provide assistance and guidance The role of projects. for volunteersʼ stewards was three-fold: observe, visit the They were to record, report. out an site preferably twice a year; fill inspection sheet with observations, alterations, and inappropriate activities; and put up and maintain boundary signs, which the government supplied. Steward Volunteer Sandra Myers, the main contact was the coordinator, for the stewards and dealt with their Girl Guides, naturalist societies, and and Cowley Forest AWA counties. Products became joint stewards of the after started and soon Beehive NA working on a management plan with superintendent of the Bow- Art Peter, Crow Forest. By 1993 there were 223 stewards (162 individuals and 61 groups) for 123 designated and 155 candidate NAs. actively support volunteers in providing sites management of their effective encouraging and at that point there and at that point encouraging and group stewards were 20 individual areas still for 26 areas, with 166 Groups included needing volunteers. Boy Scouts, Wardens, Junior Forest personally inspect each site on a site on a each inspect personally role as Your frequent basis. regular or steward is an important a volunteer that we value highly.” contribution The Sherwood Park Natural Some citizens worked hard to get Some citizens worked In 1987, along with the VSP VSP with the along In 1987, In 1987, with 112 established In 1987, with 112 John Woitenko was one of three Woitenko John of these sites. But we need your help. Areas Natural Alberta now has 112 heritage depends on public support Areas and involvement in the Natural to the are dedicated Program. Our staff ongoing management and protection 1988, “The protection of our natural involvement would be crucial for program. the success of the NA LeRoy Fjordbotten, Minister of wrote Wildlife, Lands and Forestry, Newsletter in January in the first NA and 145 candidate NAs and only Lee knew that public five staff, got it protected, he wanted to keep it as “a VSP protected. He praises the lamplight program in Canada.” the Riverlot 56 Society and write a management plan. He says he became a steward because once they people who wrote the proposal in the early 1980s to get Riverlot 56 in designated the County of Sturgeon helped form Area and a Natural Strathcona County holds the recreation Strathcona County holds the recreation lease. of the Sherwood Park Fish and Game of the Sherwood Park Fish and Game Association and other neighbours. stewards monitor the site and Volunteer Area was reserved for recreation in 1969 and designated in 1971, after the of adjacent landowner lobby efforts who enlisted the support Reg Gray, a management plan. reservations placed on local sites they reservations placed for conservation felt should be set aside and recreation. For example, Charles helped Spruce an educator, Truckey, in Island Lake become a candidate NA in 1988, 1976 and an established NA to develop and worked with Parks staff contracts, or public advisory contracts, or public committees. plans or site management through plans or site management and licences), dispositions (leases management volunteer stewardship, could get involved at any of the involved at any of could get system the NA four main steps in resolution of – nomination of sites, of management conflicts, development to establish 100 new NAs, including 100 new NAs, including to establish River and Milk the largest, Beehive, The public hundredth. Canyon, the Lamplight Program Shines Program Lamplight the government committed program, The government continued to Jonker said that they had had Jonker headed the formation of the formation Jonker headed However, Jonkerʼs patrols ended Jonkerʼs However, spread the word about the VSP in 1989 VSP spread the word about the the North Bruderheim NA Society in Society Bruderheim NA the North the group official society, As an 1991. users about the rules, and the amount in the area dropped of illegal traffic significantly (Fort Saskatchewan Record, May 2006). through talks and media. Fifty-six new stewards had signed up by then and more kept coming, says Dickson. many battles and sometimes it was hard to keep going (The Steward, have climbed and 1994). “We Winter conquered every mountain. But every time we overcome one obstacle there is another one, and for that we have to have a strong team of board members – which we have.” in 2000 when funding for the Society ran out and he could no longer be paid. He said that during his tenure he spent much of his time educating OHV NA, where he had been a volunteer a volunteer had been where he NA, issue he could 1987, but since steward tickets. a lease to obtain grants and was able to create enforceable that allowed them near NA bylaws for the 503-ha They had concerns Sherwood Park. damage, tree about motorized vehicle practice and target cutting, poaching, of stray bullets.” that generated “lots a management The Society prepared types plan to identify appropriate to ensure and levels of development They installed protection of the site. use. control OHV fences and signs to Peter Lee’s last day with government. Peter Lee’s By 1991 “it was increasingly was increasingly By 1991 “it One steward, though, wasnʼt One steward, though, wasnʼt “However, many stewards just “However, Duke Hunter, Marilyn Pyshik, John Rintoul, Joyce Gould. This photo was taken on Marilyn Pyshik, John Rintoul, Joyce Gould. Duke Hunter,

Left to Right: Brian Ogston, Wayne Nordstrom, Sandra Myers, Peter Lee, Lorna Allen, Peter Lee, Lorna Sandra Myers, Nordstrom, Left to Right: Brian Ogston, Wayne

obvious that the staff were having obvious that the staff with the work difficulty keeping up only volunteer steward to obtain Special Constable status. His powers Bruderheim North the to restricted were she says. “As they did not have, or they want, any enforcement authority, were warned never to endanger their own safety by confronting difficult people.” Of course, she points out, there was nothing stewards could legally enforce because the supplied boundary signs only request the public not to do such things as cut trees, light fires, camp overnight, or drive vehicles in. content with that restriction. In 1994 and Dennis Jonker became the first were no longer willing to wait for help were no longer willing to wait for help with any problems they felt they could handle themselves such as loose cattle, garbage dumping (including dead farm animals), vehicle use, partying, etc.,” slough draining. load,” says Dickson. “They were very load,” says Dickson. out as soon as they good about coming major problems, could to help solve was needed: especially where funding contractors to for example, getting old buildings and clear sites of unsafe where fencing was needed, junk, large over such things as or settling disputes “it would be useful if we had more had more if we be useful “it would of protection the to ensure authority have The stewards areas.” these natural expected role and are no enforcement to NA uses to report inappropriate manager. land local the or staff program Courtesy of S. Myers S. of Courtesy Pearman noted that in some cases, Richard DeSmet signed up as “I discuss their interest in this Carol Smith was a neighbour of Carol Smith was a In an interview for the April April for the interview In an “Itʼs an excellent area for people an excellent area “Itʼs North Cooking Lake NA when she NA North Cooking Lake 1988 newsletter, RDRNʼs Myrna RDRNʼs newsletter, 1988 Facing Challenges and Opportunities and “make sure you know what they know.” is an opportunity for the average person to make a real solid commitment to the environment.” He advises stewards to staff pick the brains of the programʼs instruct people how they can adjust their way of thinking and behaviour to become more ecologically aware. Here program “is the single, most powerful Alberta government has to tool the Rainbow Equitation Society as steward for this and four other areas when he was president in 1991. He said the NA spiritual.” volunteer steward for the Halfmoon in 1987 and brought in the Lake NA about our natural world,” she said. often I go by myself to get “Very to and to feel ʻplugged inʼ recharged almost this very special place. Itʼs place that people have to explore.” with the spirit of adventure to learn encourage them to respect other users,” encourage them to respect other users,” she said in a 1989 interview for the NA only undeveloped “It is the newsletter. x-country skiers, snowmobilers, and an x-country skiers, snowmobilers, and occasional pre-teen trailbiker. area, ask them to stay on the trails and eight major spruce bogs, and morainal eight major spruce bogs, and morainal lakeshore, surrounded by developed lands. It attracts hikers, birdwatchers, decided to become its steward in 1987: decided to become of “Stewards are the eyes and the heart Areas – weʼre the folks who the Natural This take the pulse of these spaces.” comprises 164 ha of aspen forests, NA “When you get people involved, they “When you get people ownership.” develop a sense of habitat and that they have some input habitat and that they and use of these into the protection a CBC radio areas.” Cheryl Croucher, noted in a 1992 interview, personality, gives a sense of responsibility and of responsibility gives a sense in knowing enjoyment to our members to conserve that they are helping and satisfaction of stewardship more of stewardship and satisfaction for and effort the time than offset “It and maintenance. inspections Pearman said the personal rewards said the personal rewards Pearman

OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 8 OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 9 For the 1990s, he saw enormous The main vehicle for Stewards were pleased to have pleased were Stewards Refl of decade second the on ecting Refl “Itʼs a great motivator” and I “Itʼs so many Dickson wrote, “With communications was the newsletter, communications was the newsletter, The Steward in which was renamed public interest in the environment proactive public and our programʼs involvement initiatives,” of which the The increased was one venture. VSP attention, he says, resulted in regional a more and other agencies taking staff active role in managing sites in their regions. challenges and opportunities. He being part of such a positive program being part of such a positive program is a real joy and the people – indeed the whole atmosphere – at this meeting have helped to enhance the solace and Area.” hope I derive from my Natural April 1992 and ran until 1995. It was lled with a wide range of interesting fi articles items about natural history, on the ecological problems caused by fragmentation, the dilemma between protection and resource use (although nothing overtly political), problems and les, lists solutions, site and steward profi of site activities including development applications, and upcoming events. “It was a really helpful, informative and interesting publication,” says Dickson. program, the 1980s, Lee says it the NA changed from being relatively unknown to having a high public and agency le for the program le. “Higher profi profi was the result of greatly accelerated NAs and increasing their protection. their and increasing NAs and to share experiences a chance ideas at the conference garner new of their knowledge and to enhance other with each and communication stewards were Many staff. and with mind as Des probably of the same for Mt. Allen, one of the stewards have given me a Lorette: “The staff like the people lot of support and I Theyʼre a long way away very much. get to see them often though and I donʼt Oct. 1990). Newsletter, enough” (NA were “am renewed and inspired” received. Robert among the comments of the Solomon Creek NA Kabatoff said, “I was very pleased that the Public Lands Division treated the volunteers as important people or better still, coworkers.” environmental negatives to combat,

K. Hauch the Bruderheim Natural Area. Natural the Bruderheim The second decade of the NA The second decade of the NA Yet solutions were not impossible. solutions Yet Piles of garbage collected by stewards at Piles of garbage collected by stewards program was capped with the fi rst program was capped with the fi meeting” with much merriment and All good fellowship, says Dickson. the goal and stewards agreed with staff of increasing the number of designated County refused to pay for the proposed County refused to pay for the proposed culvert, but Fish and beaver-proof the from funds with up stepped Wildlife program, to which Wildlife Bucks for RDRN was a contributor. volunteer steward conference at the Centre in 1990, Wilderness Strathcona people. attended by an unexpected 110 “It was a very enthusiastic, ʻbondingʼ solved the problem of beavers plugging solved the problem of beavers plugging The the culvert under Highway 590. remove the dam attempts to Countyʼs in the spring over several years had had disastrous results, either draining the beaver pond while many waterfowl ooding a downstream were nesting or fl The pond, similarly ruining habitat. Two years earlier, the groups had years earlier, Two The bylaw was subsequently Some of the areas were considered no solution. Some of the hunters reportedly wrote rather nasty letters to then-Environment Lund complaining Ty Minister Subsequent meetings with about her. cials produced provincial and local offi contacted Dickson, although she was known to be the volunteer steward. received complaints from other area ce ever hunters. Noone from that offi vetoed by the provincial Fish and the advice of the Division on Wildlife ce, which had offi Wildlife Red Deer by the Department of Municipal Affairs. the support of the Innisfail Fish and Association, asked Dickson to Game apply for a county bylaw to prohibit two years After rearm use in the area. fi ing,” Red Deer waffl of “ineffectual approved bylaw the got Council County too small to support certain activities too small to support certain activities In 1992 local residents, with safely. suspicious that they might lose their got rather and some stewards ʻrightsʼ nasty phone calls and complaints.” a few locals (particularly the hunters and trappers) who were resentful and how little!) for their favourite places, how little!) for their favourite places, and naturalist and environmental groups and school and college classes eld trips were keen to use them for fi there were often and projects. However, “Local groups and individuals saw the program as a way to get some protection (though most did not realize ANCH R ON

UMMERS The questionnaire responses were were responses The questionnaire the continue with our story on We Pharis explored her creative side This latest honour is one of Infused with a love of nature when S used as a basis for the second stewardsʼ stewardsʼ basis for the second used as a Yamnuska in 1993 at the conference in our Stewards Volunteer Area Natural YMCA, called “Special Places “Special Places YMCA, called successful The very People.” – Special out 165 registrants event attracted back it of 223 stewards. “Looking point of the was probably the high Stewards Volunteer Areas and Natural programs,” says Dickson. next issue. Environment Minister, Brian Evans. Brian Minister, Environment stronger at the loss of the beautiful area. beautiful the of loss the at stronger by studying textiles at Alberta College Alberta by studying textiles at Art, as it was then known. “I was of among them Richard Pharis, the young botany professor she later married. After her botany degree, she completed a BEd and then taught high school biology and art for ten years. thinking of preparing for something she Iʼd be able to do as I got older,” That theme, preserving and restoring That theme, preserving and restoring nature, runs like a brightly coloured of thread through the life of Pharis, one Defender Wilderness Alberta this yearʼs winners. Award several for Pharis, who – along with her husband, Dick – received the National for Award Heaslip Survival Instituteʼs Environmental Stewardship in 1982. she was named one decade later, A of Women of the Calgary Heraldʼs Consequence, and in 1995 she received Achievement an award for Personal from the Canadian Council of Areas. Such tributes, Ecological begin to however meaningful, canʼt sum up a life dedicated to wilderness preservation. she was a child, Pharis studied biology While a at University of Calgary. student there, she hiked regularly with a group of backcountry enthusiasts,

FROM C. Olson

PRINGS S ILDERNESS W In 1993, under the new premier, the new premier, In 1993, under of the area since the 1970s and leads of the area Vivian Pharis, seen here with tools in Pharis, seen here Vivian FOR the maintenance of the Bighorn Historic hand in the Bighorn, has been a steward hand in the Bighorn, has been a steward Trail, part of the Adopt-A-Trail program. Adopt-A-Trail part of the Trail,

Special Places 2000, Albertaʼs Natural Natural Albertaʼs 2000, Places Special passionate about the natural world, her resolve to fight encroachment became reservoir created by the Bennett Dam, in Pharis, paradoxically sparked a fire Already then a university student. Ralph Klein, there was a major there was a major Ralph Klein, and the of departments reorganization Areas, Ecological Reserves Natural Stewards programs Volunteer and the with the Public were all transferred Environmental Lands Division to were encouraged Protection. “Stewards in the Special to take an active part sounded very Places program, which The stewards hopeful,” says Dickson. from the new had enthusiastic support Heritage document released by Don by Don released document Heritage Parks Tourism, of Minister Sparrow, 1992. in November and Recreation OVE L EEP : D HARIS P IVIAN The subsequent appropriation and Those tales, so intimately “They had lonely lives and they In 1992 Lee sent out a In 1992 Lee sent out V By Leslie Beaton Hedley flooding of the Gold Bar, now under a flooding of the Gold Bar, were full of stories,” says Vivian Pharis Vivian were full of stories,” says long journey [to the ranch] and was always reluctant to return to town life she and school two months later,” remembers. banks of the river there, and it was there she learned to ride a horse. “I could not wait to make the day- in Peace River country a highlight of her childhood. Her “most abiding fossil-hunting, began on the hobby,” Columbia, but considers those summers connected to the ranch and its breathtaking locale, planted an enduring love for wilderness in the who grew up Vivian, heart of young and northern British Yukon in the evenings and these old guys would go Andy Russell, storytelling.” on, like Peace River on big riverboats. So there Peace River on big riverboats. So there people, amusing were a lot of different sat around in the We characters… like a little village. It was also where and go up the people would take off the headwaters of the Peace, “was sort the headwaters of the Peace, “was sort a The ranch had of a hub for the area.... post office and a school – it was almost of the trappers and wilderness dwellers of the trappers and wilderness dwellers who once gathered at the ranch where The she spent her childhood summers. spread near her grandparentsʼ Gold Bar, bound guide celebrating 20 years, 1971 bound guide celebrating were told that some to 1991. Stewards used in the draft of their responses were 1991). determine the questionnaire to help by a spiral future of NAs, accompanied will continue to be established and the to be established will continue of existing sites management activities Oct Newsletter, will intensify” (NA secondary policy issues, including policy issues, including secondary of NAs with other reconciliation sites initiatives. New conservation predicted that strong public support support strong public that predicted “necessitate and likely continue would of primary and further clarification

OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 10 OUT FRONT WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 11 “When I get back home, I seem to Her love of the Eastern Slopes has Preservation and restoration has Preservation and restoration With all this work, you might well With a love of encounters, Wilderness taken root in Pharisʼs life “downunder” taken root in Pharisʼs though the birthplace of these enduring it seems the themes is now underwater, in every legacy still thrives Gold Barʼs life. diverse Pharisʼs Vivian aspect of Iʼm working with them as well, on our Iʼm working with them as well, on our property.” art the develop to able Pharis is wonder, she studied years ago? have so much to do out at our acreage get time,” I just donʼt AWA, and with content sheʼs At the moment, she says. to undertake the occasional textile to project, but she also enjoys listening CBC radio and reading when she can. not abated: “I continue to live in this province, though I hate the politics, because I love these Eastern Slopes,” Pharis says. She also remains constant and hunting in her love of fishing – particularly grouse-hunting with one of her “various Labrador retrievers” And you can be sure that, at her side. wherever the landscape, sheʼll keep a sharp lookout for fossils. the companionship of horses beauty, and dogs, a fascination with fossils – heritage breed that is quite rare: “The” rare: that is quite breed heritage across she came When horse. Canadian she knew Canadian horses, a book on 26- could replace Dickʼs one of these seeing some of After mare. year-old she was at Spruce Meadows, the horses are breed, and the Pharises sold on the of a true Canadian. now proud owners well, where in New Zealand as winter while she and her husband About a working at their vineyard. when the area hundred years ago, was converted to near Christchurch explains, “they just agriculture, Pharis no native Thereʼs denuded everything. a big process thereʼs vegetation left, so on right now to try to bring the native vegetation back. I started doing this... along with my vineyard manager… Now [one of the universities there] has developed a whole program to help vineyards introduce native plants, and

AWA Files Pharis preserves nature in her “The media was right behind us. Pharis has been an AWA Board AWA Pharis has been an now just coming into laying. “Iʼll end up with about 20 Columbia Rocks, which is an old breed,” she says. She has developed an interest in another on the fundamental decision-making; necessarily, get our way, we wouldnʼt We but we had valuable input… The government was had a voice.” much more open to public input then, Pharis says, but she is hopeful the “closed door” attitude of the current government will give way with new leadership. hobbies as well: she has raised chickens for many years, and last year she purchased forty Columbia Rock chicks, and a strong force in helping to develop and a strong force in helping to develop integrated resource planning for the Eastern Slopes of the Rockies, with her area of focus being the Bighorn. Though she would like to see these IRPs updated, she is proud of the work done to preserve the Eastern Slopes and to protect public lands from being sold. era, she says. It was a different That was back in the heady days when we were making a lot of progress as were in We a young organization… area, as well as write a number of the area, as well as write a number of the chapters. member for almost two decades. Back in the 1980s, while serving for seven president, years as the organizationʼs representatives AWAʼs she was one of Vivian (right) and Dick (left) Pharis, avid equestrians, enjoying the Bighorn (right) and Dick (left) Pharis, avid equestrians, Vivian Instead, she earned her degree “We would bag about two tonnes “We Pharisʼs pursuit of art was to Pharisʼs in fibre arts, which has remained a Her knowledge of the Bighorn enabled recent book on the AWAʼs her to edit and Pharis has continued to lead the way in keeping this area maintained. ten years to make our way through the When the Forest Service Bighorn.” program, Adopt-a-Trail developed the adopted the historic Bighorn trail AWA project undertaken in conjunction with the Forest Service. recalls. “It took she of garbage a year,” in new ways, one of which was taking volunteers on horseback trips into the Bighorn to clean up camp areas, a many years of hunting. provide an unexpected boon to the Association: while Wilderness Alberta ACA, she found time to volunteer at office. She began AWA at the nearby to devote her time to the organization creating beautiful things with her she likes working hands; in particular, with the tanned hides gleaned from her lasting interest. Pharis says she got “too lasting interest. Pharis says she got “too involved in other directions” to make a career of textiles, but she still enjoys sabbatical.” problem. Sheʼd intended to specialize problem. Sheʼd intended to specialize in wood sculpture, but “the year I went to specialize, the fellow who did wood sculpture went on two yearsʼ says wryly. She neednʼt have worried She neednʼt says wryly. proved to be a – filling her time hasnʼt

UFFIELD Advisory Committee Administration Control Ltd. Assessment Agency Assessment Area Wildlife CFB S CFB Prairie buffs cannot visit CFB Prairie buffs IN

SIRC: Suffield Industry Range SAA: Agreement Access Surface SEAC: Suffield Environmental CFB Suffield National SNWA: List of Abbreviations List of AEC: Company Ltd. Alberta Energy Canadian Environmental CEAA: CFB: Canadian Forces Base DGE: Director General of Environment DND: Defence Department of National EUB: and Utilities Board Energy GAC: Committee Advisory Grazing GIS: Information System Geographic LWD: While Drilling Land-spraying MOA: Agreement Memorandum of MOU: Memorandum of Understanding PAA: Agreement Assignment Partial PFRA: Prairie Farm Rehabilitation trees, that are largely unclassified. unclassified. trees, that are largely conservation assessment in 2002 A Fund Canada Wildlife World by the sand hills straddling the identified of Alberta-Saskatchewan boundary, which CFB Suffield is a part, as one the armed forces of Canada. Glimpses the armed forces of Canada. Glimpses into CFB Suffield can be caught along 50 km of Secondary Road 884, the four-day A west boundary. Baseʼs canoe trip down 100 km of river that skirts the east boundary allows long, reflective gazes punctuated periodically by signs warning that setting foot on of six relatively unfragmented blocks of six relatively unfragmented blocks of native grassland in the Northern Glaciated Plains of Canada. Suffield unless they have business with

S. Bray TANDOFF S ght it at all? ECRET SNWA encompasses SNWA S 2 HE ? T ? The 458 km will be brought to bear on the final bear on the final will be brought to may understand what To decision. we must understand befall the SNWA, well there are abundant paleo sites, notably dinosaur remains and fossilized that should cloak this significant prairie that should cloak this significant ecosystem. fragile sand dunes and sand plains, over 1,100 native prairie species including 13 federal Species at Risk Risk At and 78 provincially listed rail in the Dishpan Yellow species. swells Lake area outside of the SNWA species to 14 the number of SARA Throughout for all of CFB Suffield. CFB Suffield, including the SNWA, there are numerous sites of historical significance including medicine wheels, As bison kill sites, and stone cairns. the history of the oil and gas interest in CFB Suffield and the regulatory and management context with respect to The findings environmental protection. There are glaring holes in are startling. the fabric of environmental stewardship HARGE C

IN 2 irley Bray

S ’ HO Dr. Sh By Dr. W (right) in the southern part of the Suffield National Area. Wildlife As EnCana proceeds through the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Canadian Forces Base Thereʼs a story told in Suffield of the time EnCana drilled a well in a wetland, going against the rules of the Department well in a wetland, going against the of the time EnCana drilled a told in Suffield a story Thereʼs The military, grazing interests, The military, The South Saskatchewan River sweeps around a peninsula of land called the Bullpen Suffield is one of those blank spaces on Suffield is one of those of National Defence (DND). When DND told them to remove it, EnCana argued about the definition of a wetland, even though the definition about it, EnCana argued (DND). When DND told them to remove of National Defence by a certain date or be barred the well a choice – remove and a map. DND gave EnCana clear definitions DND had given them the removed EnCana, the company finally after much dithering on the part of the deadline, and On the eve before the Base. from they have to fi battle, but the question is, why did well. DND won that need to comprehend the forces that hoops of an environmental assessment and a public hearing for their infill drilling proposal in the Suffield we Area (SNWA), Wildlife National and agreements play out against a backdrop of history and politics. not only placed their inexorable stamp on the landscape, but have created a labyrinthine management regime that defies easy comprehension. Regulations and the oil and gas industry are a potent combination of human users that have look, however, reveals a startling reality startling a reveals however, look, impressions. that belies first species, no engineered structures, no closer A roads and no human busy-ness. out the hope of no fences, no alien the map that grips the imagination of the map that grips Its 2,690 km the wilderness traveler. appear as the largest roadless area left roadless area left appear as the largest Alberta, holding in prairie and parkland

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 12 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 13 Over 1,100 gas wells were drilled Under a 1977 MOU with Prairie MOU with Prairie Under a 1977 The petroleum industry has in the SNWA prior to 2004, when in the SNWA Farm Rehabilitation Administration Farm Rehabilitation over three years – would result in a density of up to 16 or more wells per section, and the installation of more than 200 km of additional pipeline. Associated with the wells would be new infrastructure, including access roads and water development, areas for (sumps), and disposal of drilling fluids increased compressor capacity. pretty much had its way with CFB total A Suffield since the mid-1970s. of 12,000 to14,000 wells have been drilled. Currently there are about 8,000 active gas wells and 1,200 active oil wells, with lifespans of two to three compressor There are also 11 decades. stations, 8,000 km of pipelines, dozens of remote sump pits, an industry gravel pit, numerous water dugouts and pumps, and about 280 industry vehicles a day traveling the thousands of kilometers of roads and trails that crisscross the Base. Gas well densities are as high as 16 wells per section, and oil well densities, concentrated in the northwest corner of the Base, an astounding 70 wells per section. the Base Commander implemented a drilling moratorium due to environmental concerns. EnCanaʼs proposal to drill a minimum of another 1,275 shallow gas wells in the SNWA alone – at least 425 wells a year pigweed (kochia), downy brome, and brome, downy (kochia), pigweed the biggest is one of – spurge leafy challenges facing environmental of CFB Suffield today. managers in occurs (PFRA), cattle-grazing not used for portions of CFB Suffield grazing military training. Livestock Middle Sand does not occur in the Advisory Committee Grazing A Hills. representatives of (GAC) consisting of Agriculture Service, Wildlife Canadian Alberta Public Lands, and Canada, guides grazing Alberta Environment pastures PFRA management on the the with objectives to maintain of the grasslands ecological integrity while providing supplementary grazing The GAC meets for local ranchers. annually and makes recommendations pastures as needed to the PFRA manager and the Base Commander.

C. Wallis O. Pall many access roads in Suffield. Less than one-fifth of the area that is too often a casualty on one of the The endangered western hognose snake zoned large areas underlain by sandy zoned large is now CFB Suffield was converted to 1900s. the in early pioneers by cropland cover when farming ended because of drought and expropriation, but unfortunately the reclamation species of choice was crested wheatgrass, a persistent and invasive species Asia. Halting originating in Europe and its invasion – as well as that of other aggressive alien plant species including Russian thistle (tumbleweed), Russian of their sensitive nature (restricted of their sensitive nature The Minister of development zone). National Defence, in 1992, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Minister of Environment to include these sensitive Regulations zones in the SNWA. came into force establishing the SNWA April 2003. in These areas were returned to permanent soils along the South Saskatchewan soils along the South Sand Hills out River and in the Middle training because of bounds for military per pad. m well. Oil wells still require m x 100 a 100 In 1941, DND began using CFB In 1941, DND began Lack of public access prevents access prevents Lack of public Fortunately, several generations several Fortunately, companies now clear less native prairie per gas well, the cumulative effects of increased density well (from per section) 3 or 4 to 16 counteracts the reduced impact invasive crested wheatgrass was used as a reclamation species at that time. Although This 1978 well site, well like many and needs othersThis 1980s, from restoration. 1978 the 1970s The Suffield as a station for research into Suffield as a station and its wildlife. In 1971 Base managers and its wildlife. In 1971 Base managers Forum speak passionately about their Forum speak passionately about their connections to the prairie landscape of military men stationed at CFB Suffield were and are enamoured with Those who participate wild prairie. Prairie Conservation Albertaʼs in Defence. (Edmonton), who in turn reports to the (Edmonton), who in turn reports to the Commander of Land Forces in Canada, who reports to the Chief of Defence who reports to the Minister of Staff, Base Commander is responsible for all Base Commander is responsible for all The Base activities on CFB Suffield. Commander reports to a General in Region Western Land Forces in the forces under an agreement signed in The 1971 with the United Kingdom. in the western world. Not only do in the western world. Canadian troops train here, but also a contingent of the British armed large biological and chemical defence. Since biological and chemical used it as a live 1971, theyʼve also of the largest fire training area, one The Players of environmental interests that we interests that of environmental our way to find have been able to start maze and through the management politics of CFB Suffield. most people from seeing both the from seeing both most people the area. the problems in beauty and efforts through the diligent It is only CFB Suffield is not allowed without without is not allowed Suffield CFB Commander. the Base from permission For other companies to access In the late 1990s, with several The MOAs recognized that the recognized that The MOAs also Alberta or its assignees To ensure that environmental To portion of CFB Suffield and decades and decades Suffield of CFB portion properties on CFB Suffield, however, properties on CFB Suffield, however, thousand wells drilled, AEC asked the AEC asked thousand wells drilled, some surface access rights assigned to AEC under the 1975 and 1977 MOAs had to be transferred back to the An amendment, provincial government. Agreement Assignment the Partial was signed in 1999 by Canada, (PAA), AEC, and a new entity called Alberta, Suffield Industry Range Control Ltd. also zoned for special protection from also zoned for special protection from oil and gas activity. protection objectives were met, the established the 1975 MOA Advisory Suffield Environmental Committee (SEAC), consisting of one representative from Environment Alberta Canada, one from Environment, and one from the Energy Resources Conservation Board (now Utilities Board). SEAC was the Energy with reporting annually on its charged Alberta, and the activities to Canada, advice provide to and Commander Base The Base Commander when requested. authority for project retained final approvals. Alberta government to post mineral dispositions to deeper formations under CFB Suffield (below the base of the Upper Cretaceous Fish Scales zone at Alberta complied and put about 815 m). rights up for auction. of trouble trying to coordinate industry industry to coordinate trying of trouble military activity. activity with and has jurisdiction Base Commander Base and all access to the control over To to coordinate activities. the authority role, “representatives accommodate this Alberta or its assignees” agreed to of Commander once a meet with the Base development year to review a proposed year and would plan for the upcoming prior to entry on obtain his approval CFB Suffield. damage to agreed to repair any a condition the Base, to maintain to that occurring reasonably equivalent at the time the MOAs were signed, and to indemnify Canada against any liability arising from oil and gas Areas along the river and in activities. the sand hills that had been zoned out of bounds for military training were

C. Wallis Under the 1975 and 1977 MOAs, In 1975, citing as a key selling AEC was not charged fees AEC was not charged in the interest of all Albertans in the in the interest of all the only financial compensation to CFB Albertaʼs was Suffield, as landowner, pay the AEC, to agreement, through consisted This costs for range control. DND got was loss of their use of a of two radio-equipped vehicles and the wages of personnel needed to ensure that industry access on the Base did not interfere with military activities. for surface compensation, which Alberta are everywhere else in negotiated by industry with landowners, or leaseholders in the case as with of public land. Presumably, other companies, royalties from the gas to provincial and oil production flowed based and EUB exacted a levy coffers What on the volume of production. government divested itself of a one-half government divested itself of a one-half Alberta government AEC. interest in gradually AEC were holdings in reduced and fully divested in 1993. AEC Through the 1980s and 1990s, grew to be a very wealthy corporation, due in no small way to the windfall of profits from production of thousands gas wells and several hundred oil wells drilled in CFB Suffield. granting of these rights. point “inaugural assets including oil and gas exploration rights to the 600,000-acre Suffield Block Alberta the Alberta,” in southeast increasing the amount of damage to this sensitive landscape. The 1975 and 1977 MOAs Fifty sections in the northwest Canadaʼs title to CFB Suffield title to CFB Canadaʼs and the military (tank tracks) have failed to use common access routes in this area, that is not perpetrated in other native prairie habitats or in the Suffield Industry NWA. This recent in site the well Suffield block shows extensive and unnecessary disturbance identify Alberta Energy Company Alberta Energy identify assignee to Albertaʼs Ltd. (AEC) as develop oil and gas on CFB Suffield part of CFB Suffield were designated The Base a special oil production area. in that military training agreed to forgo does not include mineral rights. These These does not include mineral rights. In the early Alberta. are owned by consideration there was for the Crown AEC, which became the sole operator AEC at the time on CFB Suffield. was a provincial Crown corporation, originally incorporated in 1973. It financial is not clear what, if any, and to be subject to all the rights and obligations of the MOAs. Mineral leases were granted exclusively to ground structures were required to produce the oil. area for two decades because above- gas well structures were to be below surface with protective coverings. these reserves, provided there was no interference with military use. In areas where military training occurred, government of Canada, in 1975 for gas and in 1977 for oil, accommodated to develop strong desire Albertaʼs substantial reserves of natural gas and substantial reserves of natural gas and oil under CFB Suffield. Memoranda with the Agreement (MOAs) of to mid-1970s, the government of Alberta determined that there were Rules of Engagement

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 14 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 15 S. Bray Over the last few years, EnCana The lack of on-site capacity The Base Commander has begun Commander has begun The Base to hire staff with environmental and oil and oil with environmental to hire staff remedy the situation. He is asserting his authority to approve applications to the role to that EUB and confining SIRCʼs of gatekeeper in monitoring movement of industry vehicles on the Base. parties are bristling over this Affected proposed change in practice. and other companies have been required to support their development impacts and industry adherence to rules impacts and industry adherence to rules on CFB Suffield. resulted in a situation where Range as Safety/SIRC was signing off landowner on development applications to EUB. SIRC is supposed to be an Alberta, but a Google search agent of leads Web Wide World for SIRC on the website. Is immediately to EnCanaʼs this a situation of the proponent and The regulator being one and the same? current Base Commander is moving to environmental management at the at the management environmental is then applied and this level, national but it is a at other levels, as appropriate Suffield. that links to CFB thin thread expertise in regulatory and gas industry in the deficiency an attempt to address of three The current staff stewardship. new dozen a about and overwhelmed, is are reportedly planned positions staff monitoring, to deal with management, of Base capacity and reclamation. Lack applications to review development activity means and monitor industry of uncertainty and there is a high level environmental disagreement about Both cattle and industry use dugouts like this one for water. Also, at DND headquarters The Base, as landowner, does The Base, as landowner, A handful of other companies of other companies handful A not have the capacity to fulfill its not have the capacity to fulfill Director General of Environment (DGE) has responsibilities for establishing policy and providing advice to DND in all aspects of the only expertise available to the Base Commander to assess the environmental aspects of proposals and the conduct of the industry was from distant advisors on SEAC. a position was the last decade Within to manage created at CFB Suffield the environmental aspects of military activity. in Ottawa, there is a Directorate of The Conservation and Environment. Conflicts and Constraints on the Front Environmental stewardship role in managing and monitoring industry activity on CFB Suffield. For almost three decades, operate in a relatively minor way in a relatively minor operate in most under farm-out CFB Suffield, include They to EnCana. agreements Harvest Operations Breaker Energy, and Penn Corporation, 7th Energy, has Energy Direct Energy. West in the SNWA. some freehold rights itself of some of EnCana has divested a gas storage its properties, including dispositions. facility and oil mineral continues to hold EnCana, however, share (95%) of mineral rights the lionʼs under CFB Suffield. federal land grants to CPR in the 1880s. in the to CPR land grants federal value an enterprise has EnCana Today, billion. of about US$50 As well, annual surface access In 2002 AEC merged with AEC merged In 2002 In 1999, when the PAA was being In 1999, when the PAA According to the PAA, new leases, According to the PAA, Under the 1999 PAA, AEC 1999 PAA, Under the hold the mineral rights associated with PanCanadian Energy Corporation PanCanadian Energy to form the EnCana Corporation. PanCanadian also had roots in public by it was created in 1958 largesse: Railway (CPR) to Canadian Pacific agreement. supported this exclusion, speculation being that deep gas reserves in that area are not of very great importance; on the Alberta signed off subsequently, the Fish Scale Zone) underlying the hence mineral leases proposed SNWA: AEC would not be available for sale. negotiated, Canada also negotiated precluding access to deep rights (below per the 1970s MOAs. It is estimated that the company pays about 10% of what companies must pay elsewhere for surface access. operations. EnCana continues to contribute toward vehicles and personnel needed for range control as in care of the Base Commander while in care of the Base Commander while surface access fees fund SIRCʼs fees and surface compensation are paid to SIRC. Surface compensation AEC or paid by operators, other than through to Canada its affiliates, flows access restrictions, and complete all by SEAC, SIRC, reclamation specified and others. an annual activity plan, comply with on liability with respect to these on liability with respect grandfathered wells. AEC, are except those obtained by Agreement Access subject to a Surface The Alberta and SIRC. (SAA) with requires new lessees to submit SAA surface compensation on any wells surface compensation prior to the PAA. drilled on leases held this article, the At the time of writing is open to legal interpretation PAA advantages” originally granted to it, advantages” originally from paying including exemption right to permit access to other holders right to permit access under CFB of mineral disposition AEC reserved Suffield. In exchange, and benefits all the “rights, interests, assigned to Alberta and SIRC, “as Alberta and SIRC, to assigned Alberta,” the and on behalf of agent for (SIRC), a private corporation also also corporation a private (SIRC), was SIRC Safety. as Range known and directing with controlling charged on CFB Suffield. industry access S. Bray The Base is promoting natural The number of abandoned wells is An inventory of non-native given the situation over herbicide use at say CFB Gagetown. EnCana field staff Energy Alberta the company is liable. is not Alberta has been assured that liable, but their lawyers are looking governmentʼs Saskatchewan The it. into requirement of a $10,000 bond for each well is worth considering, especially fund for reclaiming Albertaʼs since One-third of pipelines constructed during 1997 to 2005 had crested wheat grass established on them. Invasion of non-native species from industry access trails and pipelines is a big threat to Washing native plant communities. of industry vehicles prior to entry is a suggestion that is meeting resistance. recovery for small pipelines (disturbance width 1 to 2 m) and minimal disturbance well sites. Seed mixes are to be employed for larger where soil and disturbances only, The ultimate sod-stripping occurs. goal is to have companies use seed collected from the Base, but this is not yet happening. Reclamation techniques topic in are a controversial and targets discussions between the military and industry on CFB Suffield. estimated to be between 350 and 600. Estimated cost to reclaim wellsites is $20,000 to $40,000. CFB Suffield is justifiably worried about their liability, to insist that maintaining equivalent condition includes restoring native vegetation. Industry is resisting. species distribution along disturbances, is underway. including the SNWA, . Environmental Environmental has formed to the right creating a larger disturbance. a larger creating has formed to the right , administered by It was not until the mid-1990s The key environmental objectives The 1975 and 1977 MOAs shows some of the challenges of trying to restore native prairie once it is disturbed. native prairie of trying to restore shows some of the challenges This 2005 reclamation of a badly rutted access route by EnCana in the Suffield NWA NWA by EnCana in the Suffield a badly rutted access route of This 2005 reclamation Although an approved seed mix was used, the site is dominated by non-native species mix was used, the site is dominated by seed Although an approved that have gone to seed and can spread to nearby disturbed areas. Another access route Another access route areas. to nearby disturbed and can spread that have gone to seed Regardless, Alberta Environment Alberta Regardless, that the Canadian Wildlife Service Wildlife that the Canadian on CFB Suffield, according to the 1975 specify that regulations under Albertaʼs Albertaʼs specify that regulations under to create a benchmark to guide management plans. Because of problems with weed invasion on industry sites, the Base is just starting condition reasonably equivalent to that occurring at the time the MOAs were signed” and “to repair any damage.” What the condition of the Base was however, prior to industry activity, is not documented, and there is no of what “equivalent clear definition condition” means. and DND began to address this in the by funding a comprehensive SNWA biological inventory in an effort maintains that it does not have authority on federal lands and therefore cannot enforce regulations regarding reclamation. In addition, it has been suggested that the provincial fund for reclaiming orphan wells may not be available in CFB Suffield. and 1977 MOAs, are “to maintain a government downsizing and with such government downsizing and with such amount of industry activity on a large CFB Suffield, there is heavy reliance on voluntary compliance. Land Surface Conservation and Act Reclamation Alberta Environment, are to apply on CFB Suffield. Since the late 1990s, this statute no longer exists, having been Alberta rolled into the Protection and Enhancement Act and Enhancement Protection

2 2 2 Oil and Gas Conservation Oil and Gas Conservation The Staff from the EUBʼs Medicine from the EUBʼs Staff administered by the EUB applies in administered by the ). EUB staff in Calgary review ). EUB staff Dugouts for industry water supply: Industry vehicles/day: 280+ Remote sumps: dozens (~50 wells/sump) Compressor stations: 11 Pipelines: 8,000 km Roads/trails: thousands of kilometers (precise information not available) (1 ha pad): 1,200 Oil well density: up to 70 wells/section section Producing oil wells in oil-producing area (prior to 1992) Gas well density: up to 20 wells/section 2 to 8 wells/ Gas well density in NWA: Wells drilled since mid-1970s: Wells 12,000 to 14,000 Producing gas wells: 8,000 1,100 Producing gas wells in NWA: Oil Producing Area: 128 km Oil Producing 458 km SNWA: Industry Activity Facts in CFB Suffield Activity Facts in Industry CFB Suffield: 2,690 km 11 in SNWA 11 Hat office conduct routine inspections Hat office conduct routine inspections of drilling rigs and facilities and respond to operational emergencies such as pipeline breaks, spills, and well due to provincial blowouts. However, pipeline permits, and approvals for other industry facilities. Act applications and issue well licences, supersede those of the province where overlap occurs (e.g., rules for hydrocarbon storage tanks under the Protection Canadian Environmental Federal environmental requirements business interests if made public. business interests if Act it does anywhere CFB Suffield just as Alberta regardless of land ownership. in these overviews to non-government these overviews to on the environmental interests proprietary grounds that they contain hurt their information that would them. EnCana is refusing to release them. EnCana is refusing enable more environmentally sound environmentally enable more been disputes There have decisions. to industry needs about whether the MOAs and given that comply, do not specifically require PAA applications with environmental environmental with applications by the Base rationale The overviews. is that these overviews Commander

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 16 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 17 S. Bray

, with DND as the DND as , with Canadian Environmental Environmental Canadian eld. Since 1975, SEAC has conducted SEAC has conducted Since 1975, A summary of key concerns raised summary of key A Absence of a fundamental database to support management: There is no complete GIS database of industry facilities (well sites, pipelines, remote sumps, roads/ trails) available to decision makers. Locations and reclamation status of abandoned wells are not known. The environmental assessment: focus is on minimizing and repairing disturbances related to individual sites and there is no on monitoring of overall effects Lack of cumulative effects • follows. • subject to the subject Act Assessment of petroleum annual inspections and programs industry activities Base and advised the on the Base Commander on environmental Review of protection requirements. the last several SEAC minutes over special measures years reveals some environmental by industry to minimize EnCana has used impacts. For example, techniques in the low-impact drilling and supported wildlife studies, SNWA, snake populations alleviated threats to and implementing by rerouting traffic There are, seasonal drilling restrictions. a myriad of concerns with however, of industry the environmental effects activity and with environmental management. during SEAC meetings (1997-2005) responsible authority. authority. responsible that Canada Wildlife Act Canada Wildlife Buried in the document Alberta Environment grants water water grants Environment Alberta With official gazetting of the With Analysis The Regulatory Impact licences under the provincial Water Act Act Water the provincial under licences Suffield. operating on CFB to industry natural area as stipulated in the wildlife natural area as stipulated in the wildlife area regulations. is a statement that shallow gas recovery will continue subject to the environmental screening protocols specified in the 1975 and 1977 MOAs Any Area Regulations. Wildlife and the are gas recovery projects in the SNWA SNWA in April 2003, special rules, April 2003, special rules, in SNWA of the Area Regulations Wildlife the DND Act, apply. Canada Wildlife the Statement that accompanied amending regulations states that the contributes to environmental SNWA objectives of both DND and Environment Canada and reflects commitment to the governmentʼs Activities environmental stewardship. cannot interfere occurring in the SNWA with the conservation of wildlife. Moreover the Statement indicates that any changes in land use would need to be compatible with the spirit, intent and policies of a legislatively protected for industry and cattle in dugouts. and cattle in dugouts. for industry to ensure and enforcement Monitoring for of licensed limits the honouring lacking. water extraction are for was delegated the responsibility area and those administration of the sections of the apply to it. Ground or river water is provided river water is provided Ground or allows this practice on native prairie, but it is still allowed on pipelines in Suffi Land spraying of drilling waste. Improper application can impede vegetation growth. Alberta no longer growth. application can impede vegetation Land spraying of drilling waste. Improper

Spraying drilling waste on native Spraying drilling waste Again, the Base does not have Base does not have Again, the The study, which used several The study, Agriculture Canada, DND and EnCana. Agriculture Canada, DND and EnCana. Operational issues related to LWD continue to fester. Fitch L. companies to comply with guidelines. companies to comply with guidelines. using of LWD controlled study A experimental plots on CFB Suffield supported by is currently underway, examples of industry activity in major CFB Suffield, also identified operational issues, including failure of application rates harming vegetation and breeding birds, especially during periods of drought. Development, only recently released, Development, only recently released, problems with documents significant including high on native prairie, LWD prairie is not allowed on public lands in prairie is not allowed a frequent practice Alberta. Previously in CFB Suffield, land-spraying while is now allowed only drilling (LWD) 2003 A on pipeline right of ways. Resource Alberta Sustainable study by conundrum subject to dispute on CFB conundrum subject Suffield. issued for several hundred abandoned issued for several hundred This is Suffield. well sites on CFB management another environmental obtain a full inventory of abandoned inventory of abandoned obtain a full who is responsible wells and determine date, no To for their reclamation. have been reclamation certificates capacity to oversee abandonment oversee abandonment capacity to Base The of sites. and reclamation to currently is trying Commander orphan wells reportedly does not apply does not wells reportedly orphan Suffield. on CFB

Cheryl Bradley of the Alberta Native Alberta Native Cheryl Bradley of the The question of how much drilling The Base Commander has final has final The Base Commander Plant Council provided assistance in assistance Plant Council provided this article. researching Naturalists, World Wildlife Fund Fund Wildlife World Naturalists, Wilderness Alberta and Canada, a microcosm of the challenges that those who want to conserve significant natural ecosystems are faced with when industry is given free rein. If the armed forces of Canada cannot deal then it begs another with it effectively, question: who can? Association, are working together are working together Association, the before to bring information project, the need for the panel about and effects, environmental alternatives, for and policy implications legislative At the time Areas. Wildlife all National for hearings is of writing, the schedule pending. regarding authority for the decision panel proposal. If the CEAA EnCanaʼs the development recommends against wildlife, then the because it will harm decision is clearly Base Commanderʼs If the panel also to deny consent. project proceed recommends that the because it is in the public interest, then the Base Commander decision will likely be subject to political pressure. the land and communities can sustain is one that is being asked in kitchens, of community halls, and the offices The Alberta. land managers throughout situation on CFB Suffield provides

These and many other questions According to SEAC minutes, the According to SEAC criteria. The reclamation goal for goal for The reclamation criteria. non-native invasive species (e.g. invasive species non-native occur on crested wheatgrass) is a lack of There sites. disturbed prairie has been data on how much is undergoing disturbed, how much the ecosystem reclamation, and how is responding. the Base is revegetation with native with native is revegetation the Base or through seeding species, either but many natural encroachment, 80 Wellington St., Ottawa, Canada K1A 0A2 St., Ottawa, Canada K1A Wellington 80 The Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Ministerʼs Office, Prime Minister of Canada, Prime Ministerʼs The Right Hon. Stephen Harper, Subject: Please donate: has been awarded participant funding from the Canadian Environmental AWA Although We Agency (CEAA), the award is more than $25,000 short of our request. Assessment and secure legal advisors for the still need funds to increase our communication efforts proposal. EnCanaʼs want to be as well-positioned as possible to fight We hearings. Area with a financial contribution, National Wildlife If you are able to support Suffield please send your donation as soon as possible. our secure on-line Shop at http://shop.albertawilderness. can give directly through You ca, by phone at 1 (866) 313-0713 or (403) 283-2025, or by mail to Box 6398, Station D, the and let us know this gift is for AWA 2E1. Please make your cheque out to T2P Calgary, Suffield NWA. donation will make a difference! Your Help Protect the Suffield National Wildlife Area Wildlife the Suffield National Help Protect native prairie landscape. Every voice counts in helping to protect this nationally significant to: Write CEAR 05-03-15620 Shallow Gas Proposal in Suffield National Wildlife Area Wildlife CEAR 05-03-15620 Shallow Gas Proposal in Suffield National will be debated during the panel review by the Canadian Environmental (CEAA) and the Agency Assessment to drill an proposal EUB of EnCanaʼs additional 1,275 wells in the SNWA. Several conservation organizations, including Nature Canada, Federation Grassland Alberta Naturalists, of sensitivity and the goal of preserving sensitivity and the nature. EnCana responded that the corporation has an obligation to its This statement shareholders to proceed. begs the following questions: Have Alberta and Canada not citizens of already given enough to EnCana and its shareholders? Has the prairie not enough? By what already suffered rationale does EnCana believe it is entitled to free rein in such a significant protected area? The End Game asked EnCana to Base Commander in the Middle Sand restrict its drilling due to environmental Hills and SNWA In 2004, : High-density Concerns over potential is lack of agreement on reclamation objectives, protocol, and evaluation mortality because of roads. Summer drilling was suspended in important snake habitat. There Reclamation inadequacies: There is a Impacts on wildlife: lack of monitoring and investigative of industry studies of effects study on A activity on wildlife. found high snakes in the SNWA drilling and construction of pipelines in the sand hills has made extensive and noticeable impact that to remediate. will be difficult Sand hills impacts 145,652 vehicles accessed CFB Suffield. Regulating such a high and level of activity is difficult approved trails occurs. travel off Potential air quality effects on Potential air troops: gas leaks and exposure on troops training on CFB Suffield. vehicle travel: Off-road problems, but the report of results was suppressed. survey of sites where drilling waste had been spread on native prairie in CFB Suffield found significant sumps found four failed EUB criteria for oil content. EnCana is excavating these and attempting to 2003 A bring them up to standard. Problems with disposal of drilling Problems waste: Problems were identified in the handling and storing of drill cuttings by industry as recently 2003 audit of remote A as 2003. wetlands, drilling still occurs in or near wetlands. EnCana is slow in undertaking EnCana is slow in Despite clean-up and remediation. advice to industry to avoid and ensuring that industry activity and ensuring that industry in 2000 avoids wetlands. Spills wetlands. and 2003 contaminated authors recommended restoration of authors recommended setting limits developed wetlands, by industry, on water withdrawal report commissioned by DND by DND report commissioned of developed found degradation used by wetlands and dugouts Report AEC for a water supply. which is unfounded. 2000 A of wetlands: Degradation the prairie ecosystem in the long the long in ecosystem the prairie that gas is The assumption term. up to 16 per section well densities to ecological integrity, are neutral • • • • • • •

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 18 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 19 October 2006 ANADA -C When we discussed the planned Furthermore, he argued, Furthermore, he argued, He assured me, however, that He assured me, however, ETRO , National Geographic, , National Geographic, and Teck Cominco (15%). When I Cominco (15%). Teck and reputation mentioned Petro-Canadaʼs he responsibility, for environmental All oil be real. responded with “Letʼs of naphthenic acids occurring naturally ml/L; in water bodies is 1 in the areaʼs Tailings ml/L. tailings ponds, it is 110 ponds are so toxic – in perpetuity, according to some experts – that as I I heard August, stood beside them last to keep the constant boom of airguns Who birds and other wildlife away. are still will ensure that these airguns condition in two or three hundred took nature Apparently what years. eight thousand years to accomplish, Petro-Canada can do in one-fortieth the poisonous time, starting with a flayed, landscape and having no evidence that a patterned fen can be “reclaimed.” tailings pond, which will straddle the McClelland watershed boundary, he agreed that naphthenic acids are probably the most serious toxins in tailings. I pointed out that naphthenic acids are not included in the Quality Water Surface governmentʼs regulations: industry is allowed to Athabasca return “used” water to the River when it meets those standards. He assured me that nobody would ever return water containing high densities of naphthenic acids to the river because “it would kill things,” and people just do that. Right. wouldnʼt naphthenic acids exist naturally in the water system. I cited Pembina statistics: the average density Instituteʼs companies rape and pillage the land.” companies rape and pillage the land.” Petro-Canada has complete confidence that the unmined half of the fen will and that the mined remain unaffected portion will be restored to its original P S. Bray

SAYS !” : George Schaller – SHINES

SUN ATERSHED

W THE

According to their website, AKE L environmental sustainability and continuously improving our operational practices and stewardship in the take We oil sands and elsewhere. pride in being a highly principled In September I met with company.” a representative of Petro-Canada, the major owner (55%) of the Fort Hills (30%) project along with UTS Energy operating tar sands projects, we saw operating tar sands the grey wasteland that will replace the upper portion of the McClelland watershed, including half the fen, if the Fort Hills project is allowed to proceed a massive public Without as planned. this unique watershed will clamour, almost certainly be destroyed. have lots of “We Petro-Canada: lawyers” “Petro-Canada is committed to what is to come. Flying over the vast what is to come. Flying tailings ponds, open-pit mines, toxic emissions of and noxious billowing WHILE

HAY

LELLAND C AKE C “M By Joyce Hildebrand, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Hildebrand, By Joyce M impacted by oil sands mining in the watershed. watershed – less than half the 2 are nourished by a complex hydrological regime that will likely be severely regime nourished by a complex hydrological are But as we returned to Fort The precariousness of the entire Itʼs one of the rare places in Itʼs “We talk about natural resources as if everything had a price tag. You canʼt buy spiritual values at a shopping mall. The spiritual values at a shopping mall. buy canʼt had a price tag. You as if everything talk about natural resources “We The interconnected marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens feeding into McClelland Lake The interconnected McMurray, we realized that this McMurray, Albertaʼs boreal that has felt few Albertaʼs things that uplift the spirit – an old-growth forest, a clear river, the flight of a golden eagle, the howl of a wolf, space and quiet of a golden eagle, the howl of a the flight a clear river, forest, spirit – an old-growth things that uplift the intangibles.” without motors – are damage is minimal compared to The forests and wetlands surrounding The forests and wetlands surrounding McClelland Lake are already marred with clearcuts, wellpads, roads, seismic lines, and a pipeline corridor. size of Edmonton or Calgary – became size of Edmonton or Calgary – became and staff AWA starkly clear to four volunteers as we flew over it last July. the Fort Hills project tailings pond in the Fort Hills project tailings pond in the McClelland watershed in 2008/09. 330-km open-pit tar sands mining. Petro- Canada plans to begin construction of That is about to change. Four years ago, the fen, located 90 km north of was approved for Fort McMurray, human footprints. For millennia, the human footprints. For spectacular fen inaccessibility of the draining into McClelland Lake has allowed this rich ecosystem to flourish.

EUB Decision 2002- In addition, section 10.3 states: When I wrote the EUB requesting The justification for one for The justification True North had a comprehensive North had a comprehensive True “The Board supports Albertaʼs intention intention Albertaʼs “The Board supports an explanation of its justification for an explanation of its justification propose a process that should establish the feasibility of… mitigation.” to condition its approval to require to provide an acceptable TrueNorth mitigation plan [for the unmined portion of the fen] prior to mining in asking the Board to accept in its place asking the Board to accept in its place the promise to convene a committee “to develop a management strategy to sustain the unmined eastern portion of the wetland” ( What is surprising, or should 089). of this acceptance be, is the EUBʼs substitution: the replacement of a EIA mandated, extensive, scientific with a non-existent (at that time) committee. this decision, the response was this: practice is that it does “The EUBʼs not attempt to expand on the reasons set forth in a Decision report.” I was directed to section 10.3 of the Decision for the “entirety of the Boardʼs reasons.” I once again scrutinized this section, but found no reasons at all: only an assurance that “TrueNorthʼs Sustainability Plan does MLWC “capricious” and potentially reduce reduce potentially and “capricious” to anathema investment: for motivation this government. hide the EIA: “Letʼs TrueNorthʼs bad news” that the EUB particular decision continues made during the hearing Alberta According to to elude me. report website, “an EIA Environmentʼs Alberta role in plays an important review of applications Environmentʼs The completed related to the project… assists environmental assessment decide if a project is decision-makers to in the public interest.” Assessment Environmental Impact (EIA) done on the area that would be by their operation, directly affected Wetland Lake McClelland the including The portion of Complex (MLWC). the MLWC that concerned the EIA possibly irreversible predicted major, on the Complex. Not project effects North “withdrew True surprisingly, describing the the portion of its EIA the MLWC,” impacts to projectʼs

W. Lynch grounds further north. grounds Of course, the Minister of Four years after signing all of The answer, apparently, is apparently, The answer, Endangered whooping cranes have Endangered Lake. They appear to use the fen as a way station on the way to their nesting way station on the way to their nesting patterned fen southwest of McClelland patterned fen southwest of McClelland been sighted several times on the large been sighted several times on the large interpretation of public interest. Environment could decide to revoke the approvals, but that would appear revisit the process and approvals. nothing, unless it can be shown that “a major error or something fraudulent happened during the approval process.” The mechanism for challenging an approval is through an appeal to the The Appeals Board. Environmental time frame for appealing the Fort Hills approvals ended years ago, and there was no fraud or major error to flawed appeal – only governmentʼs decision-making and industry-biased Government: “Itʼs too late, baby, too late, baby, Government: “Itʼs too late” now itʼs the necessary approvals, where does Alberta stand on the government of the McClelland Lake watershed? few weeks ago, I met with three A Alberta Environment Northern Region employees to see what could be done to According to peer scientists, the study to peer scientists, According flawed methodology. used seriously authors contradicted their own previous own previous their contradicted authors EIA, TrueNorthʼs as as well research, a $1 subsequently given and were TrueNorth. grant by million research Wild Lands Wild the next day. “A “A the next day. over the last five years, the over the last five As documented in When we discussed options discussed options When we Both the IRP amendment and Both the IRP A Petro-Canada presentation to Petro-Canada presentation A The depth of Petro-Canadaʼs The depth of Petro-Canadaʼs Globe and Mail patterned fen to be “representative” rather than “unique”; the studyʼs the EUB approval were based in large the EUB approval were based in large TrueNorth-commissioned part on a study that declared the scientific lengthy hearing with strong opposition to the project. and Utilities Board (EUB) approved application despite a TrueNorthʼs fen, the government broke its own amendment guidelines to give in to the request to change the companyʼs protected the fen from which 1996 IRP, mining. In October 2002, the Energy Hills project) discovered oil under the betrayal of both the Alberta public betrayal of both the and the McClelland Lake ecosystem itself has been as toxic as the tailings and emissions that we smelled from TrueNorth 1,000 feet up. In 2002, after of Fort (the original operator Energy How Did We Get Here? We How Did Advocate words, but we are waiting for actions words, but we are waiting for actions that support them. the highly principled company”? Pretty the Oil Sands Consultation Panel in Fort McMurray this fall confirmed this attitude: “Make hay while the sun shines,” was the company comment, reported in representativeʼs working together to protect the rare boreal treasures we have left. more about appearances than about commitment to the environment commitment to the up in their might best be summed veiled threat as we representativeʼs forget,” “And donʼt ended our meeting: have lots of lawyers.” he said. “We façade It seems that the companyʼs Albertans is of listening to concerned extended low royalty rates, assuming a extended low royalty is also not an cooperative government, would be option because Petro-Canada companies. “ostracized” by other accept any agreement that did not have agreement that did accept any Protection of the a financial incentive. royalty credits or fen in exchange for for saving the fen, such as lease the fen, such as lease for saving he said Petro-Canadaʼs swapping, not shareholders would board and operating a few lifetimes from now, from now, lifetimes a few operating are history? the tar sands when

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 20 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 21

“There are certain natural The only thing that might save the Would Calgarians allow the Would whether we recognize it or not, we are dependent on its services and its diversity. treasures in each country that should be treated as treasures,” says world- Schaller. renowned biologist George must recognize before it is too late We that the McClelland Lake watershed is just such a treasure. McClelland Lake fen and watershed is McClelland Lake fen and watershed thousands of letters to Petro-Canada and government ministers, a public boycott of Petro-Canada, and letters to the editor of every newspaper and magazine in the province. destruction and poisoning of the Eastern Slopes, trusting that phantom mitigation would keep our water few The boreal forest is in clean? back yards, but it belongs to Albertansʼ yard: The boreal is our back all of us. expressed great concern about the about the concern great expressed rush to develop headlong of the impacts had been Albertans If all the tar sands. sands tour of the tar given an aerial of our Ralph-bucks, mines instead in an that we would all be I suspect unaffected one could remain No uproar. of rapacious by the sights and smells beauty of the greed next to the quiet boreal.

world-class patterned fen (green). world-class patterned fen (green). one-third of one percent one-third Petro-Canada’s Fort Hills oil sands project includes strip mining 49% of Fort Hills oil sands project Petro-Canada’s the McClelland Lake Wetland Complex (purple) and 45% of the Complex’s and 45% of the Complex’s Complex (purple) the McClelland Lake Wetland Judging by the province- Unless the public is mobilized, Unless the public is of oil, enough to supply Canadaʼs Canadaʼs to supply enough of oil, for 15 needs the U.S.ʼs) (or rather, the watershedʼs fragile rare plants the watershedʼs wide presentations to the Oil Sands care Albertans Consultation Panel, Of 170 submissions, 150 deeply. of disturbance of the water regime And since the mining that feeds it. will occur in the upper part of the watershed, nobody knows what the impact on the entire area will be, the including the Firebag River, Athabasca, and the Beaufort Sea. more, five other companies Whatʼs own tar sands leases in the McClelland Windfall, watershed: Synenco, Scott, UTS, and Shell. Action Needed Urgent 4-metre-high tires of 400-ton mining trucks, the proud new symbol of our province that seems to have replaced intricate The fenʼs the wild rose. patterning – delicate strings of black pools spruce separating peat-filled – will no doubt disappear because destroying this unique ecosystem in this unique ecosystem destroying for exchange crushed under the and mosses will be months? I wonder if our children wonder if our children months? I us for will thank and grandchildren of Albertaʼs recoverable bitumen. Albertaʼs of per 3 is scheduled to begin in the to begin in the is scheduled What is the dollar value of Petro-Canada is already removing All of Petro-Canadaʼs approvals All of Petro-Canadaʼs AWAʼs request for information AWAʼs year from the Athabasca River. The Athabasca River. year from the watershed in 2030. However, tailings in 2030. However, watershed the rare pitcher plant? Is an ancient breathtaking fen worth a billion barrels an irreplaceable gift of nature like the McClelland Lake watershed? Of the Red-listed Canadian toad or abandon their nesting grounds? the massive disturbance that will send shock waves through their habitat? such as the declining species Will American bittern short-eared owl and endangered whooping cranes who stop to rest here on their way to their resident lynx, Will nesting grounds? refuge from moose, and river otters find Ark approach to reclamation. But will there be room on the ark for the rare plants from the fen for pilot They plan to eventually projects. remove rare plants and replant them when the fen is “reclaimed”: a Noahʼs email telling me that our request will email telling me that our request will be taken up at the next meeting of the Committee in January 2007. Committee, was formally repeated three times between mid-September I finally received an and mid-October. from Petro-Canada, including information on the Sustainability four times and has contracted the same four times and has contracted the same scientists who produced the infamous study that supposedly justified destroying the fen. for withdrawing 39.27 million m Sustainability Committee has now met Where Are We Now? We Are Where are in place, including a water license because of an inadequate mitigation because of an inadequate plan. be skeptical about the possibility of be skeptical about deciding in 2024 Alberta Environment project go ahead to refuse to let the to the fen without the mitigation plan to the fen without the or implemented. being either approved process of the Given the skewed difficult not to last five years, itʼs pond construction will begin in 2008 or pond construction will cause major disruption This 2009. not due until 2024 – six years before 2024 – six years not due until mining the MLWC.” As outlined in Petro- outlined As the MLWC.” plan, development amended Canadaʼs by government, not yet approved plan is mitigation the Committeeʼs C. Olson REAS A ROTECTED , P , April 2006). WLA, By placing ecological integrity There is a fundamental difference There is a fundamental difference between the Alberta governmentʼs Alberta governmentʼs between the Principles and Operational Policies” states that provided that park ecosystems will not be impaired, the manipulation of naturally occurring processes such as fire, insects, and disease may take place when no reasonable alternative exists. and science-based adaptive focuses on setting the conditions in processes where natural Willmore, and ecological diversity are the best and defences for forests against fire insects ( to MPB Approach Parks Canadaʼs valuation and protection of provincial parks and that of Parks Canada, where the focus on ecological integrity is “Guiding paramount. Parks Canadaʼs may be a more favourable one. He may be a more favourable Park Wilderness Willmore points to the Plan as a (WWP) Fire Management and Protected and Parks good strategy, that plan to Areas hopes to broaden Willmore The WPP. include Kakwa forest Albertaʼs to plan, an exception suppression, on fire management policy ARIBOU C ACRIFICE S AY M A fire simulation cutblock by Weyerhaeuser in the Kakwa-Narraway region. simulation cutblock by Weyerhaeuser fire A ACD has agreed in a ACD has agreed in Zurfluh also emphasizes that a SRD and ACD are now SRD and EETLE B “one-size fits all” strategy for managing “one-size fits MPB may not be the best option and that a “tailored approach” for each area “considering other strategies in Kakwa,” but Zurfluh does not yet know what those might be. Even though he says no plans are in place for clear-cut given SRDʼs WPP, logging in Kakwa that possibility bellicose MPB strategy, says the cannot be ruled out. Zurfluh ACD and SRD “doesnʼt MOU between rule out mechanical sanitation cuts,” but he also stipulates that he “wouldnʼt Willmore like to see it.” By extension, may be Park (WWP) Wilderness logging. equally at risk to clear-cut helicopters and cutting and burning selected individual infected trees − an extremely costly method of trying to control MPB. numbers have increased way beyond numbers have increased that,” he says. Memorandum of Understanding SRD in (MOU) to work with Kakwa. MPB addressing MPB in to date have control methods employed in with involved moving personnel INE P ON

AR By David Samson, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Samson, By David W Also at risk may be our provincial The Alberta government recently Alberta government The The mountain pine beetle (MPB) The mountain pine “If we donʼt stop this insane stop this insane “If we donʼt parks. Ken Zurfluh, Northwest Area parks. Ken Zurfluh, Northwest Areas, Manager of Parks and Protected Narraway River region. “Forestry had 460 infected trees, but the identified Alberta Community Development Wildland (ACD), oversees Kakwa Provincial Park (WPP) adjacent to the from this area over the next 10 years,” ACC member and an Wallis, says Cliff Alberta Director and Past-President of Association (AWA). Wilderness Alberta will have sealed the fate of these caribou − they will simply vanish pristine region is already inundated with oil and gas activity. approach to forest management now, critical woodland caribou habitat in the Eastern Slopes Narraway River region This relatively Alberta. Central West of for endangered woodland caribou, that for endangered woodland caribou, that Sustainable Resource Development (SRD) has directed forestry companies in to clear-cut Weyerhaeuser such as told the government-commissioned Alberta Caribou Committee (ACC), mandated to develop a recovery plan The Stakes are High The Stakes are “war on MPB” may be more of a strategy: it political than scientific gives the appearance of taking effective action. in the long run do more economic and in the long run do more economic and ecological harm than good, including Albertaʼs damaging our parks system, Fund” and Trust ecological “Heritage tourism foundation for significant oft-declared The provinceʼs revenue. decision to direct forestry companies to decision to direct forestry caribou in critical woodland clear-cut Alberta may Central West habitat in is far from being an endangered is far from being an war on species, but in its single-minded Alberta government is the beetle, the woodland one – the poised to sacrifice recent governmentʼs The caribou.

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 22 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 23

Rather than declaring an all-out SRD rarely highlights a long-term highlights a long-term SRD rarely Although some have laid the Since fire as a natural process has suppression, Parks Canda used historic fire cycles to arrive at their overall goal in parks: to “restore 50% to natural fire They assessed the condition cycle.” of the forests as “not being normal now” and decided that the forests need a more diverse composition and was only one of the many places that was only one of the many places that this epidemic started.” Many other epicentres (MPB hot spots) were in old- growth forests outside of B.C. parks. Options Other war on MPB wherever it occurs − which it does naturally in pine forests America – other jurisdictions in North approaches. In have taken different discussing the federal governmentʼs Dave Dalman of basic strategy, Parks Canada refers to the “operating Parks guidelines” mentioned earlier. Canada proceeded under the direction that they “cannot irreparably harm the ecosystem,” a direction that forms the baseline for their regional forest defined Having management strategy. the problem as “old trees,” they approached it by considering broad landscape objectives, and importantly, cumulative effects. been missing due to decades of fire including the B.C. government, have have government, the B.C. including lesson that expensive learned already the hard way. address the root causes strategy to epidemic. Scientists of the MPB such as factors have identified which weakens prolonged drought, defences; decades of fire treesʼ warming as suppression; and global for this massive setting the conditions very well have outbreak, which may key The a result. been inevitable as of such to minimizing the impact appears to be outbreaks in the future forest re-establishing balanced regimes and fire structure, vegetation, not just in our in all of our forests, protected areas. blame for the MPB epidemic on to pressure reluctance, due B.C.ʼs from the public and environmentalists, to aggressively attack the incipient Park, B.C. Tweedsmuir MPB attack in website states that Environmentʼs Tweedsmuir the MPB “epidemic in

) has been The mountain pine beetle ecosystem on a colossal scale. SRD is taking a radical, simplistic Limited Brands, owner of a natural component of pine forest Dendroctonus ponderosae ( ecosystems for thousands of years, but

it has the ability to reconfigure the forest occasionally, when in epidemic numbers, has opened up the forest. “We have an has opened up the forest. “We Victoriaʼs Secret, also has expressed Secret, Victoriaʼs parks as a battleground. MPB is well- equipped to overwhelm virtually any amount of resources the government is prepared to throw at it. Many others, by the Forest Stewardship Council. These standards and concerns would Alberta exceed those of the in effect government, which is forcing forestry in woodland companies to clear-cut caribou habitat. approach to a complex ecological problem and applying it widely The short-term, over the landscape. strategy is now unproven clear-cutting decisions, taking centre stage in SRDʼs Albertaʼs including a potential focus on “serious concerns” with the plight The company of woodland caribou. signed a new forest policy that ensures it will no longer work with suppliers who source from the Rocky Mountain or who Alberta, Foothills near Hinton, source paper from any caribou habitat The company has range in Canada. stated a preference for product certified unproven method of killing pine beetle unproven method of killing pine beetle competing with a proven method for caribou, so our choice is killing off Wallis. says quite clear,” Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service Forest Canadian Canada, Resources Natural , June 2006), Intentionally or not, in his Dave Dalman of Parks Canada has Dave Dalman of Parks SRDʼs decision to clear-cut decision to clear-cut SRDʼs environmental journalist Jeff Gailus environmental journalist Jeff problem key another revealed have may strategy: the inability to Albertaʼs with caribou prefer mature, coniferous forests containing lichen as a food source. Research in B.C. suggests caribou do poorly after clear-cutting where fire but are positively affected critical woodland caribou habitat, may very well be an unfounded, costly, high-risk (ecologically), and ultimately Woodland unsuccessful strategy. susceptible lodgepole pine, which of areas due to decades covers large fire suppression policy and includes in creating the conditions for this massive and sustained MPB epidemic. quotes SRD Minister David Coutts: treating this like a slow forest “Weʼre fire and any time we have a forest fire, we have to fight it.” Ironically, Albertaʼs scientists generally agree that aggressive fire-suppression policy has factors been one of the most significant commit to innovative ways to approach commit to innovative ways to approach Albertaʼs this problem. In highlighting zero-tolerance approach to MPB, he recent article “Keeping the Bugs at Bay” (Alberta Venture the problem as MPB and has declared the problem as MPB and has declared sweeping the forests and wildlife war, onto the battlefield. as “old trees,” not MPB, and are tailoring a long-term strategy based on SRD has identified this identification. approaches of Parks Canada and SRD. approaches of Parks Canada and SRD. the problem The former have identified Management Plan. He describes the Management Plan. step in Parks first, but very critical, to MPB: defining approach Canadaʼs This may be the most the problem. between the significant difference been involved with a joint provincial- been involved with Strategic Forest federal Eastern Slopes versus ecological impacts is a key part versus ecological impacts MPB strategy is of determining which employed. it to use our parks as a battle zone to it to use our parks forest interests. protect commercial economic Zurfluh says evaluating prepared and legislatively able to place and legislatively able prepared which allows values first, economic management at the forefront of the forefront at management Parks Canada directives, management to managing problems is committed responsible ecologically an in MPB like government is Alberta The manner. Is clear-cutting in critical wildlife Is clear-cutting The United States Forest Service In discussing possible solutions, In discussing possible is one of the Thinning the forests Gailus quotes Scott Hoffman Gailus quotes Scott Hoffman best tools, Kendley says. But Kendley, says. But Kendley, best tools, Kendley epidemics.” What Cost? At habitat what the public would like According to social science to see? researcher Bonnie McFarlane, who is with the Canadian Forest Service in Edmonton, the public is not comfortable with these extreme MPB forest service workers says the forests forest service workers says the forests could be thinned, not necessarily by commercial logging but possibly through smaller cuts using hand tools or through prescribed burns. (USFS) has also been dealing with MPB problems for many years. Although SRD believes that clear- managing for tool effective an is cutting group the MPB outbreak, a non-profit based in Portland, Oregon reviewed papers and more than 300 scientific to documents from the USFS and came Gailus notes conclusion. Jeff a different that the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation “contends there is no evidence that logging can control bark beetles or forest defoliators once an outbreak has started.” Black, executive director of Xerces, are very as stating, “The findings Logging is not the solution to clear. forest insect outbreaks, and in the long run could increase the likelihood of an ecological sense they can have a can have sense they an ecological Ken entomologist effect,” positive population “But when the Gibson says. they get into something gets too high, the forest, to preserve in that we want a tree in a hiking trail or whether itʼs a problem.” Then itʼs your yard. Gibson Kendley and entomologists not note that itʼs and Nancy Sturdevant to wipe out all feasible, nor desirable, they believe that of the MPBs; instead, is warranted. better forest management are quick to Gibson, and Sturdevant is part of what note that clear-cutting Removing all the led to the problem. trees from an area, then replanting it, means all the trees are the same age and are vying for the same limited That stresses the amount of nutrients. trees, which can make them vulnerable to infestation. Instead, the trio of

Independent Record through the beetle’s bore hole. bore the beetle’s through “They are native insects Jack Kendley, a silviculturist with Jack Kendley, beetle attack and a tree’s natural beetle attack and a tree’s when a beetle bores into the tree. when a beetle bores A “pitch tube” is evidence of a pine “pitch tube” is evidence of A and hopefully the beetle too, back out grain) tunnels, or “galleries” created grain) tunnels, or “galleries” created defences at work. The tree oozes resin, resin, oozes defences at work. The tree Eggs are laid in vertical (following the Eggs are

problem, however, can be in addressing problem, however, – they werenʼt introduced – and in introduced – – they werenʼt seeds from the lodgepole pine cones and the species is renewed.” other values. of Experience Voices The the Helena National Forest (Montana), described in the (2003) the important role that MPB even has in healthy forest ecology, though MPBs kill trees. “Traditionally, a lodgepole pine gets old, the mountain pine beetle kills it, lightning strikes the dead tree and the forest would burn,” Kendley says. “The fire releases the the epidemic with a single purpose This – saving the timber resources. can produce a whole host of negative on the economy and collateral effects the landscape, including increased road The challenge may density and access. be balancing that purpose with many

Canadian Forest Service Forest Canadian Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service Forest Canadian Canada, Resources Natural

Natural Resources Canada, Resources Natural Dalman is concerned about any Although it is too early to draw it is too early to draw Although Lastly, Dalman acknowledges Lastly, Underlying Parks Canadaʼs Underlying Parks Canadaʼs Parks Canada staff are seeing Parks Canada staff strategy needs to be one of acting early The and getting the logs out earlier. the challenges that Alberta faces. The Alberta faces. the challenges that B.C. experience has been interpreted by some as indicating that the MPB travel great distances because of strong winds: MPB flights have actually been picked up on radar. widespread distribution of MPB, atmospheric possibly due to different conditions that have allowed MPB to have seen much more random, see MPB spread in a more normal, The areas further controllable pattern. north around Grande Prairie, however, type of “scorched earth” approach, especially as conditions over the He notes landscape can vary widely. and Jasper have different that Banff conditions and that Parks Canadaʼs to current work has managed, so far, in the process is fundamental to future in the process is fundamental to future success. adaptive, long-term approach to the problem is necessary; and 3) restoring and maintaining ecological integrity approach seems to be the assumption approach seems to be the assumption that 1) MPB exists naturally and can never be eradicated; 2) a measured, stresses that they have been “very public” in communicating the MPB problem and their long-term strategies. their adaptive management strategy is continuing intensive monitoring and prescribed burning. Dalman also observing higher predation and higher observing higher predation and higher winter mortality of MPB. Key to substantial reductions in MPB substantial reductions where and Jasper, populations in Banff They are also they have burned trees. that their strategy is working, but the that their strategy is has different south (Banff/Jasper) in the north. conditions than areas research shows that their approach research shows that a modest effect,” appears to be “having is quick to point says Dalman. But he it not conclusive out that not only is any conclusions, Parks Canada has any conclusions, Parks Their initial results. seen some positive restoration to more normal conditions to more normal conditions restoration Canada has chosen and that Parks fire as the key tool. prescribed age. Interestingly, Dalman takes a takes Dalman Interestingly, age. that “MPB saying approach, positive habitat this objective” of has spurred

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 24 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 25 , which Collapse The MPB epidemic may provide In his recent book In his recent the type of Diamond describes examines the reasons for past societiesʼ societiesʼ the reasons for past examines us with the opportunity and incentive to us with the opportunity and incentive look seriously at long-term solutions, make courageous choices, and re- evaluate our values of wilderness and wildlife so they do not get shoved aside by economic decisions. destroying endangered species and species and endangered destroying generations have future only to habitat, with our the same problems encounter today. we are experiencing forests that successes when faced failures or changes, whether with environmental not, Jared Diamond human-induced or types of choices seem observes, “Two crucial in tipping to me to have been success or their outcomes towards and failure: long-term planning, core values.” willingness to reconsider if we are to choices we must make choices that have been Those succeed. on the courage successful “depended to practice long-term thinking, and to make bold, courageous, anticipatory This type of decision- decisions... making is the opposite of the short- term reactive decision that too often characterizes our elected politicians.” The landscapes of Kakwa. tactic early on in an attack. tactic early on in an If there is no short-term solution “We all hope that Mother Nature all hope that Mother “We Burning a single tree infected with Burning a single tree

mountain pine beetle can be an effective mountain pine beetle

to this problem, it will not help matters to this problem, it will not help matters to pretend that there is by spending millions of dollars unnecessarily and best beetle control method: sustained best beetle control method: sustained temperatures near -40 degrees Celsius. forestall can Alberta that ʻhope “Having than is quite different a disasterʼ can all We actually being able to do it. have faith and pray that something will mean it will. happen, but that doesnʼt The science tells us what is happening As you know, and likely to happen. Alberta have NOT the defence lines in stopped the outbreak or some major leapfrog events.” kicks in and that there is a population kicks in and that there referring to the Wallis, collapse,” says

Canadian Forest Service Forest Canadian

Natural Resources Canada, Resources Natural

The MPB epidemic is developing The MPB epidemic “The survey showed the public showed the public “The survey It has taken us 100 years of fire

to start that long-term process, has opened now. however, the forests are well-equipped with their the forests are well-equipped with their natural defences to combat MPB on The window of opportunity their own. ideal for the MPB epidemic, and a successful response may take 50 to 100 years of objective, science-based adaptive management to ensure that suppression to create the conditions problem developed make it nearly impossible to address this problem with short-term strategies like clear-cutting areas of susceptible pine. in large government is trying the same things government is trying The elsewhere. that have not worked lengthy time period over which this cost.” and the on a continental scale harvesting treatments. Respondents are harvesting treatments. the outbreak of in favor of controlling beetle, but not at any the mountain pine treatment of the mountain pine beetle,” of the mountain pine treatment prefer taking McFarlane says. “They pockets of out or burning smaller than large-scale infected trees, rather embraces less aggressive methods of less aggressive methods embraces strategies. In 2004 she surveyed she surveyed In 2004 strategies. in Banff and residents visitors 2,000 and in National Parks and Kootenay Calgary. F. Lisczak F. N. Douglas As Johnson and Duerr both point option. So it is important for people to ask, what are the values that they want What is important to them to maintain? As Duerr about their local community? rely on politicians to canʼt said, “You save your community character.” of the park in 1945 now recognize, in hindsight, that the local economy has wildest benefited beyond anybodyʼs dreams. out, communities in the Crowsnest Pass Alberta are changing: and other parts of keeping things the same is not an told forum participants of the value participants of the told forum National Teton of the nearby Grand People who Park to his community. the designation worked hard to oppose . ? Hiking up Jutland Mountain in the Castle. OMMUNITIES C Post-Cowboy Economics Post-Cowboy Steve Duerr, former executive former Steve Duerr, With an increasingly affluent affluent an increasingly With OCAL L natural places in which to recreate. director with the Jackson Hole Wyoming, Chamber of Commerce in and mobile population, people are demanding more from their local communities: high-paid jobs are not And affluence brings with enough. it more choice: people are selecting where they want to live based on what amenities local communities have to which includes schools, health offer, a healthy care and, just as significant, environment. People want to be able to drink clean water and breathe clean As leisure time becomes more air. significant, people also want healthy, overall loss of jobs, income or residents. On the contrary: as industrial transformation has proceeded, in-migration, employment and aggregate real income ... have boomed.” fastest growing region of the U.S. during the second half of the twentieth “Despite century. these fears,” he writes, “changing industrial infrastructure has not triggered a decline in the region or an 2001 book 2001 book concerns that rural Power considers the about the declining communities have “economic base” of resource extraction. He contrasts these concerns with the reality that this region was the Looking at the U.S. Mountain West, West, Mountain Looking at the U.S. FOR

ALUABLE V ARKS P RE This assertion is supported by The economic value of protected This is one of the conclusions This is one of the conclusions Protected land obviously plays an land obviously plays Protected Albertaʼs booming economy Albertaʼs There is little doubt that Albertans There is little doubt that By Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Douglas, By Nigel A U.S. economist Tom Power in his Tom U.S. economist from two recent forums on the Value Value on the from two recent forums gas. Communities based on resource extraction are far more susceptible to the economic vagaries and boom-bust cycles of resource markets. depended on natural resources, including farming, mining, and oil and choices that would not have been available to them a generation ago. Analytics said Jim Johnson of Pacific rural communities that historically, is allowing some Albertans to make is allowing some protected areas are to adjacent communities is only starting to become clear. areas to the provincial treasury has been areas to the provincial treasury has been known for some time: Jones points out that protected areas contribute a minimum $1.3 billion to the provincial But how important these economy. as a more important part of Canadian as a more important part of Canadian identity than hockey! areas are important and a recent survey areas are important and a recent survey that came up with the rather surprising suggestion that Canadians rank parks two polls: a 2005 study that found that two polls: a 2005 study that found that think protected Albertans 99 percent of value their parks. Scott Jones, with Alberta Community Developmentʼs Areas, referred to Parks and Protected Crowsnest Pass and to Pincher Creek Crowsnest Pass and to Pincher Creek thoughts. were in peopleʼs Both meetings were well attended and Both meetings were well attended and certainly stimulated discussion in the The implications for the proposed area. and the possible Wildland Andy Russell benefits to adjacent communities in the of Parks for Communities, held in of Parks for Communities, in October. Alberta southwestern and the recreation opportunities that and the recreation At the same time, it come with them. financial can also make an important economies: the contribution to local for protected areas economic argument clear. is becoming increasingly essential role in maintaining wildlife essential role in maintaining of clean water habitat, a healthy supply

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 26 WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 27 in all 2 LBERTA A FOR

in high quality grizzly 2 ESSON Other habitat security measures Albertaʼs draft plan does address draft plan Albertaʼs Alberta Ron Millson, head of the L in Yellowstone such as bear-resistant such as bear-resistant Yellowstone in pipelines and seismic lines are still used routinely by motorized recreationists. garbage containers in all forest campgrounds and intensive outreach to forest visitors also played their part. These measures have also been adopted Alberta. successfully in two ways, he points out: displacement, two ways, he points out: displacement, where grizzlies leave areas where there is too much human activity; and The plan saw more direct mortality. than 1,000 km of roads closed and this proved to be a major element in improving habitat security. the road density issue, calling for “[o]pen route densities ... at or below 0.6 km/km bear habitat designated as Grizzly Bear ... and open route Area Conservation densities at or below 1.2 km/km remaining grizzly bear range.” Allocation and Wildlife governmentʼs Use, says that some measures in the plan are already being adopted, such as surveying and Bear Smart programs. But the notable exception is habitat On the ground nothing has security. changed: industrial roads continue to become public roads by default; OOD G A

ECOVERY R RIZZLY G “Motorized access compromises Servheen stresses habitat “In Alberta you have got the “In implement conservation S ’ Undisturbed feeding habitat is a crucial element of any future grizzly bear recovery. element of any future Undisturbed feeding habitat is a crucial

habitat security,” he says, “but it is habitat security,” also a metric that you can measure.” grizzly in Unrestricted access affects point is the political will, and the public support is related to that.” Habitat Security is Key security as the most important factor Yellowstone The in grizzly recovery. plan protected key habitats and now the U.S. Forest Service is amending its forest plans to ensure appropriate habitat after management of the bearʼs Alberta delisting, both measures that has not been so keen to adopt. conference on bear conservation, he pointed to four essential elements for successful bear management: • Biological data • capacity to Organizational to implement conservation,” says weak Then he pauses. “The Servheen. Service Grizzly Bear Recovery to provide feedback on Coordinator, At an earlier draft of its recovery plan. a recent Columbia Mountains Institute biological data and the organization biological data and the organization • Political support • Public support C. Servheen/USFWS C. ELLOWSTONE By Nigel Douglas, AWA Conservation Specialist Conservation AWA Douglas, By Nigel Y The Yellowstone Grizzly Bear Yellowstone The With the second anniversary of the With So how does Albertaʼs draft Albertaʼs So how does Since the governmentʼs Since the governmentʼs submission of Albertaʼs draft Grizzly Albertaʼs submission of this December, Bear Recovery Plan Alberta on the pressure is mounting recovery plan bear up in comparison The recovery plan? Yellowstone to the Chris Alberta government asked Dr. Wildlife Servheen, U.S. Fish and than 600 animals (Chris Servheen, pers. to The population is estimated comm.). be increasing at a rate of 4 to 7 percent per year. population of 136 individuals when the grizzly was listed in 1975, the population is now believed to be more work is now underway to “de-list” the grizzly from the U.S. Endangered Act. From an estimated Species Recovery Plan was implemented in 1982 and has been so successful that to be the magic wand to solve the problem. Yellowstone Learning from surveys. But hunting was never the grizzly troubles and Albertaʼs cause of suspending the hunt was never going been some progress, including the 2006 suspension of the spring hunt and greatly improved population 2002 that the grizzly be designated a “threatened” species, there has protection, has still not been practically protection, has still not been practically Alberta. addressed in Endangered Species Conservation recommended in Committee first species recovery program in North America. One of the key lessons from the importance of habitat Yellowstone, the most successful template for a changes to prevent the extirpation of changes to prevent would Alberta grizzlies. the provinceʼs Yellowstone do well to learn from the Grizzly Yellowstone The experience. Bear Recovery Plan is arguably government to quit stalling and start government to quit on-the-ground introducing the real Though some might quibble over Servheen emphasizes the Political will is tied inextricably The recovery program was based program was based The recovery Albertaʼs draft grizzly recovery Albertaʼs satisfying our own need for resources.” the question of satisfying our “need” for resources versus satisfying our “desire” for resources, the message is grizzlies Albertaʼs future of The clear. Albertans to up to is our choice. Itʼs decide whether they want to pay the price to keep them. recover grizzly bears. Recovery is Possible importance of political will and the need to recognize that there is a problem. He talks about the five stages of grieving: denial, anger, depression, and acceptance. bargaining, Alberta is that he suggests Charitably, three steps.” “somewhere in the first He believes that environmental groups but have an important role to play, not necessarily by just pointing out (“If the wind government deficiencies it wants you to take your coat off, carrot just blow hard”). More doesnʼt and less stick perhaps. to public attitudes. Gord Stenhouse, Provincial Grizzly Bear Biologist, summed it up at a recent conference. “Whether people can coexist with the Alberta over grizzly bears in long term will depend on societyʼs willingness to accommodate the grizzly while need for secure habitat, bearʼs local communities, private landowners, landowners, private communities, local and other from universities, experts partners.” Bear Interagency Grizzly around the with a created in 1984 Committee, signed of Understanding Memorandum Agriculture of by assistant secretaries state governors and Interior and four and Washington, Montana, (Wyoming, was crucial,” Idaho). “This agreement committed different says Servheen. “It objectives and agencies to common link.” provided an accountability a multi-stakeholder plan was written by and team, including government scientists, industry representatives, hunters, and environmentalists. backgrounds, Despite these differing the recovery team worked effectively and took two years to draw up its draft recovery plan. But a draft plan sitting on a dusty shelf somewhere will not

N. Douglas

Alberta has also been extremely Service Wildlife U.S. Fish and A Even in B.C., which faces the In Alberta, when the science does Alberta, when the In slow to release the scientific slow to release the scientific The information that it does have. Allocation Assessment of 2003 same conflicting viewpoints as Alberta, same conflicting viewpoints as use scientific land managers largely studies to influence their decisions. interest groups. “[Recovery] could only be accomplished through close cooperation between the federal government, state wildlife agencies, each management area. not support how the land is managed, the reaction seems to be either to ignore the science or to discredit the scientists farcical saga (for example, last yearʼs over whether Gord Stenhouse had been sacked as provincial Grizzly Bear Specialist or had never actually had that place). role in the first Report recalculated previous grizzly to come up with an population figures estimated provincial population of 700 in 2005 This report was updated bears. using more up-to-date census data but Alberta has still not been released to the public. Vital Cooperation is fact sheet stresses the importance of cooperation between different done to address this issue. Prime grizzly habitat is removed from provincial logging regimes, and the hunting numbers are based on conservative population estimates for Alberta is prime grizzly habitat. The Littlehorn Valley in the Bighorn Wildland in west-central in the Bighorn Wildland The Littlehorn Valley But when it comes to translating Servheen emphasizes that In Alberta, the science behind Alberta, the science In is one of the primary threats to grizzly bear persistence,” nothing has been Alberta has fallen woefully short. 2004 draft recovery Albertaʼs Although plan stresses that “human use of access motorized vehicle routes) (specifically, estimate of 147. the science into “management action,” 16 estimated a local population of 53 bears, just 36 percent of the 2003 listen to its scientists and suspend the spring grizzly bear hunt. In 2004 the government also initiated a five-year grizzly Albertaʼs program to study The 2004 survey population in detail. and of grizzlies between Highways 11 government has still refused to accept government has still refused to accept the recommendations of its own Endangered Species Conservation Committee to designate the grizzly as a “threatened” species, it did finally grizzly bear conservation has been Alberta the Although improving. in a vacuum: science and monitoring in a vacuum: science and monitoring information was directly translated into management action.” this is not enough. “The key thing was that science was not performed “science became a fundamental part of the recovery process.” Science was More than 150 “applied intensively.” have been published papers scientific grizzlies, but even Yellowstoneʼs about another key factor in the success of the another key factor in the success of the recovery plan was that Yellowstone Science is Fundamental

WILDERNESS WATCH WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 28 PDATES U WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 29

© Colleen Yuill The second development – or lack Of particular concern were Of particular concern the potential effects on water levels the potential effects River Westcastle of the nearby and Ecological Reserve Wetlands of development – is the continuing delay in ratifying the draft C5 Forest This plan, which Management Plan. covers the entire forested area of the Southern Eastern Slopes between National Park and Kananaskis Waterton was submitted at the end Country, of 2005, and raised considerable opposition. In its comments on the noted that “[t]his is a AWA draft plan, forestry management plan, not a forest This spectacular management plan. landscape has so much more to offer The than just timber extraction.” current delay results from a failure to consult adequately with First Nations about the plan. Concern filed by the Castle Crown by the Castle Concern filed and the Coalition (CCWC) Wilderness Alberta Community of Parks branch was held Development, a meeting as well as between these groups, Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Division. Wildlife Fish and Albertaʼs plants and the implications for trout. Following wildlife such as bull withdrew its this meeting, CMR application, deciding to concentrate on These other options are other options. now somewhat limited following the recent decision Alberta governmentʼs to cease issuing new water extraction licences from the Oldman River basin.

N. Douglas

of 3 Ecological Reserve Westcastle River Wetlands Westcastle Two recent developments Two (CMR) to withdraw 30,000 m (CMR) to withdraw for snowmaking was withdrawn in Statements of Following November. increased bison hunting, and wildlife bison hunting, and increased all of other demands, baiting, among for vision AWAʼs which conflict with the Park. in Watersheds Implications for the Castle By Nigel Douglas the health of have implications for A in the Castle. watersheds and forests Mountain Resorts proposal by Castle is also pushing for increased OHV use, use, OHV for increased is also pushing aquifer Westcastle water from the EMORIAM A generous memorial gift has been received by AWA in memory AWA generous memorial gift has been received by A M PDATES N U natural habitats, over the years lamenting the loss of every little bit of At the memorial service forest, aspen parkland, slough, and muskeg. one of their friends said that they were environmentalists for Betty, before the term had been coined. Betty and Harry Horton They were avid birdwatchers who also of Betty and Harry Horton. were intensely interested in plants, to the extent that they developed Albertaʼs They had a deep love of a private herbarium in the 1950s. I The subsequent meeting The subsequent meeting After repeated requests for After repeated requests Last spring, the PAC requested Last spring, the PAC A partial Draft Management Plan partial Draft Management A that the park status for Caribou Mountains be revoked and CD Minister The PAC Ducharme denied the request. examine the draft and submit comments examine the draft and submit comments to CD before February. it and several sections are still to come. it and several sections are still to come. CD plans to have the entire draft plan completed before the next meeting, will We planned for February 2007. participation for the next meeting. has been prepared, but CD is revising unable to arrange teleconferencing for unable to arrange teleconferencing for the October meeting but forwarded the minutes to us. CD has found a venue telephone AWAʼs that will facilitate participation by telephone. CD was advised us that they are not able to provide funding for transportation to the meetings, which take place in Since travel costs Vermilion. Fort requested AWA are prohibitive, took place on October 19, but CD on the Committee; we accepted the on the Committee; agreed to be the invitation and I have representative. AWA Community Development (CD) on Community Development representative AWA June 27 to have an By Joyce Hildebrand By Joyce on the Caribou ENGO representation Park Management Wildland Mountains AWA Advisory Committee (PAC), Plan Alberta from received an invitation AWA Joins Caribou Mountains Mountains Joins Caribou AWA Committee

” , an image of a cougar in , an image of a cougar URFACE S That scratchboard picture won She has been invited to teach art She says every piece of art she every piece of art she She says “While living in B.C., I drew Yuill does her part to help does her Yuill THE

the peopleʼs choice award at the B.C. the peopleʼs Yuillʼs Arts in 1992. Festival of the a picture of a manʼs dog for him,” a picture of a manʼs teaching from time to time, she prefers not to get too involved with that facet had just one if she of art. However, piece of advice for aspiring artists, it would be to take some kind of formal a basic drawing art instruction. “Take proportion shading, about learn to class, and perspective,” she says. “Those are the three things I would have them learn.” happened to snap it just at the right moment when it was pulling its paw its down from its mouth, so it looks like sitting there, ʻthinking.ʼ” work has garnered a number of other of awards, including a certificate merit at the 1961 Latham Foundation International Poster Contest for an image she created using poster paint. Even an honourable mention is high praise indeed, when youʼre competing with 25,000 other artists from around the world. preserve the nature she loves so much. She has donated artwork to for like Ducks Unlimited, organizations sale at fundraising auctions. classes, and while she does dabble in produces has an interesting story produces has an interesting the picture for example Take behind it. Contemplation position, with its the classic “thinking” The cougar chin. paw propping up its there, in imitation was not really sitting statue, pondering the world of Rodinʼs The background for that around it. a photo sheʼd taken picture came from and she was saving many years before, subject matter it until just the right became available for it. she says, “and he really loved it. He showed me a picture heʼd taken of a cougar and as soon as I saw it, I the perfect picture thought, ʻThatʼs The cougar was for my background.ʼ but he sitting there, licking its paw, CRATCH “S HAN T ORE Colleen Yuill M Like the work produced by many “I always lived on farms and Much of Yuillʼs subject matter Yuillʼs Much of UCH other wildlife and nature artists, Yuillʼs Yuillʼs other wildlife and nature artists, finished work is not always exactly the many pieces result from a combination of elements or aspects of different the images to produce several different end result. I was in prison. I just love being out and enjoying experiences, like the one I had this morning for example, when three deer passed by my house, six feet does Whenever she from my window.” go out, she always makes sure to take her camera along to capture images that can potentially be turned into scratchboard art. same as how she saw it in the wild; prominently in many of her drawings. prominently in many of her drawings. grew up in an environment in Yuill which both domestic and wild animals were easily accessible, so it comes as no surprise that she loves drawing those subjects. ranches, growing up in the hills near the mountains, and Iʼve always loved nature and the outdoors,” she says. these go out and enjoy “If I couldnʼt beautiful things, I think Iʼd feel like involves animals, both wild and domesticated. She always loved subjects animals, and one of the first she tried to draw was the horse on which she rode to school. Horses and other ranch subjects still figure M © Colleen Yuill OES D RTIST A Contemplation ARDSTON C By John Geary By John That was 22 years ago, and Colleen Yuill cannot remember a cannot remember Yuill Colleen Yuill first discovered this form of Yuill Yuill has worked in most artistic has worked in most artistic Yuill bring colour to her works by using a thin acrylic wash over a piece of work. although she still works in other media on occasion, scratchboard remains her images The majority of her favourite. are black in white, but she can also enjoyed it.” could do something with it, and it was could do something with it, and it was a challenge, and I thoroughly different, instructor brought out some pieces of scratchboard. I loved drawing, and once I saw that and tried it, I I knew I got addicted to it instantly. scratchboard until I took an art class to learn how to use acrylic paints,” she says. “In one of the classes, the areas that produce a picture. art as a result of her interest in acrylic know anything about paints. “I didnʼt She then scratches the image from the She then scratches the image from the This results in ink using a small knife. a series of white lines and broad white paper and then transposes it onto the scratchboard, an ink-coated heavy for this use. paper made specifically is the unique drawing method of is the unique drawing this technique, she scratchboard. Using first sketches the image onto regular medium she prefers over all others medium she prefers a life that does not involve producing a life that does not or another. artwork in one form the standards media, including all acrylic, oils, pencil like water colour, the however, pastels, and so on; time when she did not draw or paint. In time when she did cannot imagine fact, the Cardston artist

PROFILE WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 30

EVENTS WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 31 N. Douglas N. The credit for the photo

Correction: of Ram Ridge on page 9 of the Advocate Lands Wild August 2006 should be David Samson.

Saturday March 24, 2007 Tower Paint the Calgary Annual Mural Painting AWAʼs Competition Details: www.climbforwilderness.ca Contact: 283-2025 or [email protected] RUST Douglas N.

T ILDLIFE W WARDS AND A

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Contact: 1 (866) 313-0713, [email protected] March 22, 2006 Celebration Wilderness Spring 2007 Location: Royal Glenora Club, Edmonton Cost: Members $85 Non-members $100 ILDERNESS ECTURE W L

This event in support of AWAʼs endowment fund provides lectures on conservation and provides lectures on conservation endowment fund AWAʼs of This event in support

LBERTA NNUAL

EWS Herb Kariel, Vivian Pharis and Peter Sherrington received Alberta Wilderness Defenders Awards. Defenders Alberta Wilderness received Pharis and Peter Sherrington Herb Kariel, Vivian honours individuals who have inspired us with their love of Albertaʼs wild lands, wild rivers, and Albertaʼs of who have inspired us with their love honours individuals would like to thank our guest AWA and achievements for conservation. efforts wildlife, and their would We in the western prairies. for his informative talk on water Bill Donahue Dr. speaker, Douglas N. A A for an enjoyable evening. award winners, our guests, and volunteers also like to thank our N

SSOCIATION VENTS Dr. Bill Donahue Dr. E A Nigel Douglas

Roger Kelley and Lisa Flaman, Peter Sherrington N. Douglas N. Cost: Members $20 per person (403) 283-2025 Contact: person per $25 Non-members http://shop.albertawilderness.ca/ Saturday, February 24, 2007 Saturday, Hike Winter Valley Sheep River With Tuesday, February 6, 2007 February Tuesday, With Tuesday, January 16, 2007 January Tuesday, Golden Eagle Migration With Pre-registration is advised for all talks Open House Program Calgary 455 – 12th St NW Location:AWA, 7:00 p.m. Time: person $5.00 per Cost: (403) 283-2025 Contact: $1.00 for children

Grassland and Grouse Cross Conservation Area Cross Conservation

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ach one of us can make a difference. A gift to the Alberta Wilderness and Wildlife Wildlife and Wilderness Alberta gift to the A us can make a difference. ach one of LIKE :

WILL ILD Whether you make a one time gift, give annually to the fund, or have planned a bequest, you fund, or have planned a bequest, you a one time gift, give annually to the Whether you make E The Wilderness and Wildlife endowment fund, managed with the Calgary Foundation is one fund, managed with the Calgary Foundation endowment Wildlife and Wilderness The W [email protected] will be recognized as part of our will be recognized endowment fund supports wilderness programs and research that contribute to the protection, that contribute to the protection, wilderness programs and research endowment fund supports is growing with the help of The fund appreciation of wilderness and wildlife. understanding and gifts. everyoneʼs Hillhurst Room of our Calgary office. our Calgary office. Hillhurst Room of ability to the future and ensuring strength in our is planning for AWA way Box 6398, Station D WOULD NFORMATION I : Calgary, Alberta T2P 2E1 T2P Alberta Calgary, Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 485535 • ISSN# 40065626 Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales ! I I ! : # : Alberta Wilderness Association Wilderness Alberta ES DDRESS AME ARD ITY AYMENT Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Return Undeliverable Canadian Y A C P C N

EVENTS WLA December 2006 • Vol. 14, No. 6 32