Stop the Hogs!

Industry, governments discuss conditions for oilsands water release

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By: Bob Weber, The Canadian Press

Posted: 12/16/2013 3:01 AM | Last Modified: 12/16/2013 7:22 AM

EDMONTON - Oilsands producers are talking with the federal and Alberta governments about conditions under which water from the industry's tailings ponds could be released into the environment.

Officials say releases would only involve treated water and wouldn't happen until the end of a mine's life.

Environmentalists are watching the discussions closely and warn that quality standards for released tailings water should be high.

"If they'd be willing to take the water and dump it in the Bow River near Calgary, then perhaps," said Keith Stewart of Greenpeace.

Alberta has a zero discharge policy for the oilsands. No water affected by processing is allowed back into the Athabasca River and even rain that falls on developed sites must be collected and stored.

Most of that water is kept in tailings ponds.

The ponds — covering 170 square kilometres with a toxic blend of hydrocarbons, silt, salts and heavy metals — have been a lingering headache for the industry. Alberta's energy regulator has already had to relax on enforcing regulations about cleaning up the ponds after companies pleaded they would simply be unable to meet their targets.

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FEFCHAK: The Saga of Gold - in North America

by John Fefchak December 29, 2013

A PARABLE OF THREE GOLDS: To the thirsty I will give water without price from the fountain - Revelation 21:6

When man first came to colonize this country, he was pleased, as there was an abundance of clean and pure water. "Blue Gold".

He realized that water was a most important element for all living things. It would sustain him, his neighbours, and all the animals for many lifetimes. And he was satisfied.

The area grew and prospered. Shops of business and dry-goods flourished.

Industry was invited to share the good treasure of the abundant water sources, and with industry, man now had "yellow Gold".

People were seemingly content, but they were not satisfied for the temptation of even more "yellow Gold" became a consuming passion.

And so as time evolved, "yellow Gold" became prominent and renowned. Factories and even more industries came to use the "blue Gold" waters.

But some of the people became alarmed and began to voice concerns.

"What is happening to our water?", they cried. "The streams and rivers are making us sick, and the air is polluted."

And small wonder, for the rivers and streams were being used as convenient places to dump whatever needed to be gotten rid of. They were also being used as open sewers.

So, man in his wisdom, said not to worry, we will build treatment plants, and you will be able to use and drink the waters again. And the air will be made clean to breathe.

However, this required a huge source of "yellow Gold" and when "black Gold" arrived on scene, it helped to clean the "blue Gold.

Some people were satisfied, and time passed.

But others were not satisfied; now they wanted all the "black Gold" to have more "yellow Gold"and this was also called progress.

They were not concerned or troubled about how they would destroy the "blue Gold" in the process. They only wanted more "yellow Gold" and were determined to proceed and prosper. And the hierarchy of government prevailed in their quest of "black Gold". They called it "sustainable development".

Which brings us to the present time. Our "blue Gold" is being poisoned and contaminated by the search for "black Gold" - for economics and the thirst for "yellow Gold".

Man has destroyed the very resource that all living things require, "blue Gold". "Black Gold" will provide him "yellow Gold" but he will not be able to drink or quench his thirst for what he needs to survive and live.

Unless we collectively change our behaviour, we are heading for a water crises, in the not too distant future.

Man is foolish. He will never know the true worth of water, our most precious resource, until it is all gone and undrinkable.

Man - the only creature on this planet who destroys what is so necessary for survival.

We are but one strand in the web of life, and whatever we do to to the strands of that web, we do to ourselves.

- THE END -


John Fefchak
Virden, Manitoba
204 748 2521