CALGARY — An environmental coalition announced today that it is compelled to oppose Devon Energy's proposed Jackfish oilsands project-not because of the project itself, but because government has yet to put in place a comprehensive plan to protect threatened woodland caribou. Proposed for development south of Fort McMurray, Devon's 35,000 barrel per day project is in an area where caribou herds are already in decline as a result of intensive industrial development.
"The release of a provincial caribou recovery plan is pending. So too is a range plan specific to the area where the Jackfish project is proposed. Making a determination about this project before these plans have been released is irresponsible," said the Pembina Institute's Dan Woynillowicz. "The provincial government has stalled for years on finalizing a provincial recovery plan for woodland caribou. The result is that industry is now forced to pay the price as they face opposition to their activities."
The Oilsands Environmental Coalition, comprised of the Fort McMurray Environmental Association, the Pembina Institute and the Toxics Watch Society of Alberta, filed an objection to the proposed Jackfish project with the Alberta Energy and Utilities Board over the weekend.
The environmental assessment submitted by Devon Energy included a detailed review of potential impacts to caribou and proposed mitigation strategies. The assessment concluded that, while the impacts from the project would not be extensive, it would contribute to the cumulative impacts of existing development that will result in continued caribou population declines.
"Devon undertook commendable efforts to acquire information on caribou," said Myles Kitagawa of the Toxics Watch Society, "even more than was required by government. They seem willing to do what is needed to mitigate impacts to caribou associated with the Jackfish project. Yet all their efforts are undermined by the absence of the government's approved recovery plan."
While companies are responsible for minimizing and mitigating the impacts of their specific projects, the government is responsible for managing caribou populations across the province. In 1996 the government agreed in principle to the National Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk, including a commitment to develop recovery plans within two years for threatened species. The woodland caribou was reaffirmed as "threatened" in 2000, but a Recovery Team was not established until 2002 and a Recovery Plan has yet to be finalized.
This is not the first case of opposition to a project arising from the absence of a government recovery plan. Suncor Energy and ConocoPhillips Canada have proposed a gas pipeline in the Little Smoky/A la Peche caribou range that is also drawing fire from environmentalists.
"The government has not held up its end of the bargain to deliver a recovery plan in a timely manner that outlines how the recovery of caribou populations will be managed at the landscape level," said Woynillowicz. "No company can do this on its own."
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For further information please contact:
Dan Woynillowicz
Pembina Institute
403-269-3344 ext. 107
Myles Kitagawa
Toxics Watch Society of Alberta
780-439-1912