The coming water wars
"They have substituted rain- fed agriculture along the Atlantic coast -- because good farmland is being covered up by urban sprawl -- for an unsustainable irrigation-based agriculture in the Midwest. When the aquifer runs dry, which it absolutely will, what will they do? It seems likely that they will start looking to Canada, and say 'You have all this water, and you're not using it.'
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Renner Responds to Water Monitoring Plan
Renner Responds to Water Monitoring Plan :: My News :: Fort McMurray's News Portal
Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner issued the following statement in response to the release on March 24 of a water monitoring plan for the oil sands region, led by Environment Canada.
“The plan presented by the federal government is the result of a lot of work within a short timeframe, with input from Alberta Environment. This is a technical monitoring plan about when and where to monitor surface water quality.
Although this work is a good starting point, physical monitoring of water is only one piece of the overall system needed. We need to build on this plan to develop a system that is robust, verifiable, transparent and governed appropriately. Most importantly, it must be credible, which is exactly what Alberta’s independent Provincial Monitoring Panel is working on.
The provincial panel will incorporate this work led by the federal government into its own review, as well as the work previously submitted by the province’s data review committee and report back to me with initial recommendations in June.
I want to assure Albertans that we all have the same goal in mind - a world-class monitoring system that encompasses air, land, water and biodiversity for the entire province. By drawing on expertise from across Canada - including our federal counterparts - we are certain we have the best information to build the best system.”
Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner issued the following statement in response to the release on March 24 of a water monitoring plan for the oil sands region, led by Environment Canada.
“The plan presented by the federal government is the result of a lot of work within a short timeframe, with input from Alberta Environment. This is a technical monitoring plan about when and where to monitor surface water quality.
Although this work is a good starting point, physical monitoring of water is only one piece of the overall system needed. We need to build on this plan to develop a system that is robust, verifiable, transparent and governed appropriately. Most importantly, it must be credible, which is exactly what Alberta’s independent Provincial Monitoring Panel is working on.
The provincial panel will incorporate this work led by the federal government into its own review, as well as the work previously submitted by the province’s data review committee and report back to me with initial recommendations in June.
I want to assure Albertans that we all have the same goal in mind - a world-class monitoring system that encompasses air, land, water and biodiversity for the entire province. By drawing on expertise from across Canada - including our federal counterparts - we are certain we have the best information to build the best system.”
Lower Athabasca Water Monitoring Program
I am pleased to be here today to release our plan for the Lower Athabasca Water Quality Monitoring Program.
The plan proposes a design for monitoring water quality along the main stem of the Athabasca River and its major tributaries, from Fort McMurray to the boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park.
Let's be clear: this plan to enhance surface water monitoring in and around the Athabasca River is a first step, not the end of our effort.
When it comes to science, meaningful results typically come from a sequence of well-designed, small, deliberate measures. Getting the science right might not always be particularly glamorous or dramatic, but it's absolutely essential We are committed to taking actions and making decisions based on science, not politics or public relations.
The foundation for the environmentally responsible development of the oil sands needs to be based on strong science.
This plan gets the science right.
This plan outlines a strategy to take measurements more frequently, in more places, to ensure sufficient data is available to track changes in water quality; it will link with other monitoring like air and biodiversity to ensure a holistic view of environmental quality.
It outlines an adaptive approach, so monitoring and data interpretation can continuously improve. It proposes to assess cumulative effects so that the environmental quality is maintained within desired levels. And all data will be publically available and accessible to all Canadians.
This plan is the first step towards an improved surface water monitoring program. This will take time, but we are on track, and are committed to getting it right. We have already begun work on monitoring plans for air quality and biodiversity. Our monitoring, research and other actions rise to the challenge of protecting the environment and ensuring the responsible development of the oil sands.
The plan proposes a design for monitoring water quality along the main stem of the Athabasca River and its major tributaries, from Fort McMurray to the boundary of Wood Buffalo National Park.
Let's be clear: this plan to enhance surface water monitoring in and around the Athabasca River is a first step, not the end of our effort.
When it comes to science, meaningful results typically come from a sequence of well-designed, small, deliberate measures. Getting the science right might not always be particularly glamorous or dramatic, but it's absolutely essential We are committed to taking actions and making decisions based on science, not politics or public relations.
The foundation for the environmentally responsible development of the oil sands needs to be based on strong science.
This plan gets the science right.
This plan outlines a strategy to take measurements more frequently, in more places, to ensure sufficient data is available to track changes in water quality; it will link with other monitoring like air and biodiversity to ensure a holistic view of environmental quality.
It outlines an adaptive approach, so monitoring and data interpretation can continuously improve. It proposes to assess cumulative effects so that the environmental quality is maintained within desired levels. And all data will be publically available and accessible to all Canadians.
This plan is the first step towards an improved surface water monitoring program. This will take time, but we are on track, and are committed to getting it right. We have already begun work on monitoring plans for air quality and biodiversity. Our monitoring, research and other actions rise to the challenge of protecting the environment and ensuring the responsible development of the oil sands.
Minister Peter Ken/Water Monitoring
Minister Peter Kent | Member of Parliament Thornhill - Environment Canada Responds to Oil Sands Recommendations with Water Monitoring Plan
Speaking Notes
The Honourable Peter Kent
Minister of the Environment
Environment Canada Responds to Oil Sands Recommendations with Water Monitoring Plan
Ottawa, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Good afternoon. I'm pleased to be here today and to update you on Environment Canada's latest work in the oil sands.
Let me begin with some background.
Last December, the Government of Canada responded to the report produced by the Federal Oil Sands Advisory Panel report. The Panel had been struck in September to review the environmental monitoring systems of the Athabasca River Basin in response to credible scientific concerns related to possible impacts on water as a result of oil sands development.
In its report, the panel called for the development of a scientifically-credible water monitoring system that will provide assurance to Canadians about the environmental performance of the oil sands. The Panel noted Environment Canada as trusted science organization well equipped to lead in the design, implementation and scientific oversight of such a monitoring system.
The Department was certainly pleased at the recognition of its scientific capacity, but we also needed some time to develop a plan that incorporated the panel's guidance on improving monitoring in the oil sands.
Speaking Notes
The Honourable Peter Kent
Minister of the Environment
Environment Canada Responds to Oil Sands Recommendations with Water Monitoring Plan
Ottawa, Ontario
March 24, 2011
Good afternoon. I'm pleased to be here today and to update you on Environment Canada's latest work in the oil sands.
Let me begin with some background.
Last December, the Government of Canada responded to the report produced by the Federal Oil Sands Advisory Panel report. The Panel had been struck in September to review the environmental monitoring systems of the Athabasca River Basin in response to credible scientific concerns related to possible impacts on water as a result of oil sands development.
In its report, the panel called for the development of a scientifically-credible water monitoring system that will provide assurance to Canadians about the environmental performance of the oil sands. The Panel noted Environment Canada as trusted science organization well equipped to lead in the design, implementation and scientific oversight of such a monitoring system.
The Department was certainly pleased at the recognition of its scientific capacity, but we also needed some time to develop a plan that incorporated the panel's guidance on improving monitoring in the oil sands.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The advantage of Bruce Carson
Bowie's Blog: The advantage of Bruce Carson over Chuck Guite is Carson actually belongs to a political party
meeting was attended by high ranking officials from both sides, including Canada's Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Carson is the only non-governmental official present and is shown in a photo seated next to the Ambassador one seat away from the Minister at a preparatory meeting for a global leaders’ forum on energy and climate change. Mr. Carson was also part of Mr. Prentice's delegation as a Special Advisor at Copenhagen in December 2009.
meeting was attended by high ranking officials from both sides, including Canada's Ambassador to the United States. Mr. Carson is the only non-governmental official present and is shown in a photo seated next to the Ambassador one seat away from the Minister at a preparatory meeting for a global leaders’ forum on energy and climate change. Mr. Carson was also part of Mr. Prentice's delegation as a Special Advisor at Copenhagen in December 2009.
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