Open Letter: Water for Alberta's Rivers

Dear Albertans:

We believe you understand the value of water and the need to use water wisely. That is why so many of you have participated in Alberta’s Water for Life Strategy, providing guidance to decision-makers about how we use and manage our water resources.

The goals of the Water for Life Strategy are:

• Safe, secure drinking water
• Healthy aquatic ecosystems
• Reliable, quality water supplies for a sustainable economy
Read more »

Posted October 13, 2011 by AEN

US State Department incorrect in citing consultation with Water Matters on Keystone XL

Water Matters wishes to clairify a matter reported today in The Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based paper focused on US federal politics on Capitol Hill. The Hill quoted U.S. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland, on Wednesday October 5th 2011, as stating the State Department had recently met with several Canadian environmental organizations concerning the controversial Keystone KL oil sands pipeline. Nuland specifically singled out Water Matters as one of these organization. Water Matters would like to make clear that none of its staff has met with anyone from the U.S. Read more »

Posted October 6, 2011 by AEN

Drilling Down: Groundwater Risks Imposed by In Situ Oil Sands Development

"Groundwater is a key turning point for the future of oil sands development and environmental management," says William Donahue, Ph.D., science advisor to Water Matters, an Alberta-based water-policy think-tank, "Unlike many surface water issues where provincial and federal governments have been playing catch up in their monitoring and assessment efforts, there is an opportunity to get ahead of the curve on groundwater protection, and that's what our recommendations are all about." Drilling Down: Groundwater Risks Imposed by In Situ Oil Sands Development, released today by Water Matters, provides clear, achievable recommendations for improving groundwater management, assessment and monitoring in the oil sands region. Read more »

Posted July 21, 2011 by AEN

Oil sands monitoring steps laid out by Alberta ENGO

The credibility of Alberta's and Canada's attempts to responsibly manage the environmental effects of oil sands development rests on responding to calls for improved monitoring of the Athabasca River. Today Water Matters, an Alberta-based water-policy think-tank, has released Replacing the Oil Sands' Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program (RAMP) with Effective Environmental Monitoring Solutions, providing recommendations for improving freshwater monitoring system between the Government of Canada and the province of Alberta. Read more »

Posted March 8, 2011 by AEN

Matters and others appeal to the EAB to turn down precedent setting transfer on the Bow

CALGARY — Ecojustice is appealing recent amendments to the Eastern Irrigation District (EID) water licence that would give the District power to function as a water broker and supplier without accountability to the environmental health of the region’s water quality and ecosystems.

Ecojustice filed the appeals with the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board on behalf of Water Matters, the Alberta Wilderness Association, Trout Unlimited Canada and three individuals. Read more »

Posted December 21, 2010 by AEN

Tailings regulations all bark, no bite

CALGARY — The Energy Resources Conservation Board has declared it has the power to exempt oilsands operators from meeting its regulatory standards, a move environmental groups say is indicative of the board’s toothless tailings pond management.

The ERCB’s declaration came in response to a review application submitted in August by Ecojustice, on behalf of the Pembina Institute and Water Matters. Read more »

Posted December 9, 2010 by AEN

Weakened policy risks destroying thousands of hectares of Alberta wetlands

CALGARY, AB - After years of delays, the Alberta government has dismissed the no-net-loss recommendation of its own advisory group and is proposing a complex wetland policy that risks the permanent loss of thousands of hectares of wetlands.

Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner confirmed the shift today to a group of stakeholders in Calgary. Read more »

Posted October 29, 2010 by AEN

Water Matters and WWF Support DFO's Recommendation for Clear Withdrawal Limits on the Athabasca River

TORONTO, ONTARIO and CANMORE, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Oct. 18, 2010) - Environmental Groups are commending the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) for recognizing the need to establish clear cut offs for water withdrawals from the Lower Athabasca River when flows get too low in order to protect aquatic life. Read more »

Posted October 18, 2010 by AEN