The Faculty of Law and the Canadian Institute of Resources Law invite you to attend a free public lecture on Protecting Instream Flow in Alberta’s Rivers – Navigating Churning Policy Waters.
It is a simple truth that healthy aquatic ecosystems need sufficient water to meet instream flow needs. Yet the water in some Alberta’s rivers is fully or over-allocated to human uses which can impact and impair aquatic ecosystems. This lecture will describe why we should be concerned about instream flow needs, especially in southern Alberta, explain what tools the Alberta Water Act provides to restore and protect instream flows, and set out the curbed use by the Government. The lecture will recount to date the ongoing and litigious saga of the non-profit Water Conservation Trust of Canada and its aim of utilizing the transfer and licensing provisions of the Water Act and the water market made possible by the Act to protect instream flows. Read more about Protecting Instream Flow in Alberta’s Rivers – Navigating Churning Policy Waters
Calgary, Alberta (Sep 17, 2015)…
The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) is seeking public feedback on its draft directive on fluid tailings management for oil sands mining projects.
As the province’s energy regulator, the AER ensures that oil sands development aligns with government policy. Following the release of the Government of Alberta’s Lower Athabasca Region: Tailings Management Framework for Mineable Athabasca Oil Sands (TMF), the AER has developed new requirements for tailings management.
“The draft directive represents an evolution in how we will manage tailings by addressing both existing fluid tailings and new fluid tailings growth” said Cal Hill, AER executive vice-president of the Strategy and Regulatory Division. “It establishes the requirements operators must meet in order to ensure that all fluid tailings are ready to reclaim within 10 years of the end of a mine’s life.” Read more about AER seeks feedback on draft requirements for managing tailings in Alberta
From the Alberta Parks website:
The Castle area is one of the most biologically diverse areas in Alberta with over 200 rare or at-risk species, including wolverine and grizzly bear. The area has a history of multiple uses including commercial forestry, grazing, oil and gas development as well as tourism development and recreational uses.
The Government of Alberta is committed to enhancing protection of the Castle Special Management Area. To achieve this, government will amend the South Saskatchewan Regional Plan to designate the Castle area under Parks’ legislation. The Government of Alberta is therefore proceeding with a public comment period on the following plan:
- Expansion of the Castle Wildland Provincial Park;
- Creation of a Provincial Park
The enhanced protection of the Castle area will allow us to focus on stewardship, protecting and enhancing biodiversity, and promoting the area as an outdoor destination for all Albertans.
Read more about Public Comment Period: Enhancing the Protection of the Castle area
Purpose:
Using a consensus-based approach the committee will conduct a thorough review of the draft directive and produce recommendations for the AER. The TAC will operate as a forum where stakeholders can contribute their expertise to the development of the new directive. Read more about Call for Delegates: Tailings Regulatory Management Technical Advisory Committee (TAC)
Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) is greatly encouraged by today's announcement by the Alberta government that 23 new environmental enforcement positions are being established to patrol Alberta's Eastern Slopes and other backcountry areas. The hirings follow several years of sparse presence on the ground by officers and widespread damage to streams and river beds in Alberta's headwaters. Read more about Environmental Enforcement Positions Good News for Headwaters
Are you looking for training, tools, funding and support to help your organization take a role in promoting ecological solutions to stormwater issues in your community?
RAIN Community Solutions works with community-based environmental organizations, to develop customized plans to address local stormwater issues and priorities.
Join us on June 10 from 12-1pm EDT for a free webinar that introduces our program and services which include: Read more about Webinar: RAIN Community Solutions—engagement tools for stormwater
From the Land Stewardship Centre website:
WSG applications are NOW being accepted. Get your application form here >>
New for 2015
In addition to the regular WSG funding, for 2015, Land Stewardship Centre, in partnership with the Education and Outreach division of Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development, is offering a new grant stream under the current Watershed Stewardship Grant (WSG) Program to fund wetland-specific projects in support of the Wetland Policy. Grants up to $10,000 will be issued in 2015 to eligible groups on a per-project basis. Get the wetland grant application form here >>
Read more about Watershed Stewardship Grants
