An Information Service for Alberta’s Environment Industry The Week Ending November 27th, 2015

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Inside this Issue:

Alberta Climate Change Plan

Expert Panel Report Highlights Oil Spill Research Gaps

Manitoba to Introduce Proposed Legislation to Protect Rivers, Lakes, Wetlands

Faro Mine Cleanup Slowed by Complications

Brazil Dam’s Failure Flooded Region with Toxic Waste, UN Report Says

and much more ….

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ESAA REGULATORY FORUMS

40% OF SPOTS SOLD

February 11, 2016

Marriott River Cree, Edmonton

March 16, 2016 Safari Lodge, Calgary Zoo, Calgary

The Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA) will be hosting one day forums in Edmonton and Calgary focused on the changing regulatory landscape in Alberta. Presentations from Alberta Environment and Parks, Alberta Energy Regulator, Alberta Environmental Monitoring and Reporting Agency, Alberta Transportation, Environmental Appeals Board and the Public Lands Appeal Board. Full details, including the draft agenda, registration and sponsorship information, can be found online at:

Edmonton - http://www.esaa.org/events/#id=168&wid=401&cid=153

Calgary - http://www.esaa.org/events/#id=167&wid=401&cid=153

Registration Fee: $149 Members and $179Non-Members (registration fees include: continental breakfast, hot lunch, coffee breaks, free parking.) Space is limited to 200 attendees per location. Registration sold out for both cities in 2014.

WATERTECH 2016 - CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

April 6-8, 2016 Fairmont Banff Springs, Banff

WaterTech returns to the Fairmont Banff Spring and features a closing keynote by Rick Mercer.

The 9th Annual WaterTech Symposium will be held April 6-8, 2016 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. Call for Abstracts: Information on the Call for Abstracts is available via the WaterTech website: www.esaa.org/watertech/agenda/call-for-abstracts/ Deadline to submit abstracts in December 31, 2015.

Keynote Speakers: WaterTech 2016 will feature the following keynote speakers:

Opening Keynote: Dr. Zafar Adeel, Director, United Nations University, Institute for Water, Environment and Health

Thursday Lunch Keynote: Mac Stone, Everglades Photographer

Friday Lunch Keynote: Rick Mercer, Host of The Mercer Report on CBC

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Information: Sponsorship and exhibitor information will be released by December 15th, 2015. Registration Information: Early bird registration is now open with special delegate rates available for Members and Non-Members until January 15th, 2016. Registration details available at: www.esaa.org/watertech/

CLIMATE LEADERSHIP PLAN WILL PROTECT ALBERTANS’ HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND ECONOMY Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan accelerates the transition from coal to renewable electricity sources, puts a price on carbon pollution for everyone, and sets emissions limits for the oil sands.

Other measures include broad programs to improve energy efficiency, support green technological innovations, reduce methane, and provides supports to ensure that families and small businesses are protected.

“Responding to climate change is about doing what’s right for future generations of Albertans – protecting our jobs, health and the environment. It will help us access new markets for our energy products, and diversify our economy with renewable energy and energy efficiency technology. Alberta is showing leadership on one of the world’s biggest problems, and doing our part.” - Rachel Notley, Premier

The plan is based on the advice of the Climate Change Advisory Panel, led by Dr. Andrew Leach, which heard from thousands of individual Albertans and stakeholder groups this fall.

“I thank the panel members and the many Albertans, including Indigenous people, industry, environmental groups, municipalities and other partners and stakeholders for their contribution. This is the right plan for our province, and now is the right time to implement it.” - Shannon Phillips, Minister of Environment and Parks

On the advice of leaders from our energy industry and from civil society, the government will legislate an overall oil sands emissions limit. We will grow our economy by applying technology to reduce our carbon output per barrel, which is what this limit will promote.

“The announcement is a significant step forward for Alberta. We appreciate the strong leadership demonstrated by Premier Notley and her government. The framework announced will allow ongoing innovation and technology investment in the oil and natural gas sector. In this way, we will do our part to address climate change while protecting jobs and industry competitiveness in Alberta.” - Murray Edwards, Chair, Canadian Natural Resources Limited

“Today we are making history, with Alberta taking its rightful place as a leader on the world stage. Premier Notley promised Albertans leadership on the issue of climate change and she and her government have delivered. This is the right thing to do for both for our environment and our economy. The world needs more of this kind of leadership from major energy producing jurisdictions if we are to avoid dangerous climate change.” - Ed Whittingham, Executive Director, Pembina Institute

Alberta’s plan includes achievable carbon pollution reduction measures, while using revenues from the plan to help Alberta adapt and thrive in a lower-carbon economy.

Electricity and renewables

Alberta will phase out all pollution created by burning coal and transition to more renewable energy and natural gas generation by 2030.

Three principles will shape the coal phase-out: maintaining reliability; providing reasonable stability in prices to consumers and business; and, ensuring that capital is not unnecessarily stranded.

Two-thirds of coal-generated electricity will be replaced by renewables – primarily wind power – while natural gas generation will continue to provide firm base load reliability.

Renewable energy sources will comprise up to 30 per cent of Alberta’s electricity production by 2030. Carbon pricing

A price on carbon provides an incentive for everyone to reduce greenhouse gas pollution that causes climate change.

Alberta will phase in this pricing in two steps.

$20/tonne economy-wide in January 2017

$30/tonne economy-wide in January 2018

An overall oil sands emission limit of 100 megatonnes will be set, with provisions for new upgrading and co-generation.

Methane reduction

In collaboration with industry, environmental organizations, and affected First Nations, Alberta will implement a methane reduction strategy to reduce emissions by 45% from 2014 levels by 2025.

Revenue neutral

One-hundred per cent of proceeds from carbon pricing will be reinvested in Alberta.

A portion of collected revenues will be invested directly into measures to reduce pollution, including clean energy research and technology; green infrastructure, such as public transit; and, programs to help Albertans reduce their energy use.

Other revenues will be invested in an adjustment fund that will help individuals and families make ends meet; provide transition support to small businesses, First Nations, and people working in affected coal facilities.

“We are going to do our part to address one of the world’s greatest problems. We are going to put capital to work, investing in new technologies, better efficiency, and job-creating investments in green infrastructure. We are going to write a made-in-Alberta policy that works for our province and our industries, and keeps our capital here in Alberta.” - Rachel Notley, Premier

Climate Leadership Report Available online at: http://alberta.ca/documents/climate/climate-leadership-report-to-minister.pdf

EDMONTON TRUCKING COMPANY FACES MORE THAN $3 MILLION IN FINES FOR OVERWEIGHT LOADS (Source: Edmonton Journal) An Edmonton-based trucking company is facing more than $3 million in fines for operating trucks with overweight loads.

Alberta Justice spokeswoman Michelle Davio said the person named in the charges is Avtar Gill.

Gill, who owns AB Gill Trucking Ltd., could not be reached for comment on Friday.

Edmonton police began an investigation in late September and subsequently laid 1,900 charges against a company that was moving soil contaminated with diesel to the Waste Management facility near Yellowhead Trail and 170th Street.

“The information received came through an anonymous tip. As a result, we attended the waste facility and looked through their records,” Const. Dave Beattie said of the police commercial vehicle inspection detail.

Beattie said police discovered the company made 1,907 trips to the facility in a six-week period. Investigators discovered that all of the loads were overweight by at least one tonne. The heaviest recorded weight was 17.9 tonnes over the allowable limit of 55.3 tonnes. In total, police said that 7,422 tonnes of dirt was allegedly “moved illegally.”

Beattie said the waste management facility wasn’t aware of the regulations that govern allowable weights for trucks.

He said it is the responsibility of the trucking company to ensure the rules are followed.

Beattie said overweight loads are a significant safety concern.

“The last thing you or any of us want is to be in front of a vehicle that is 17 tonnes over what it’s allowed to be when you stop at a red light. Obviously, the stopping distances for these vehicles is huge compared to a normal car,” Beattie said.

He also said the heavier than allowable trucks wreak havoc on roads.

“If the road isn’t designed to take the weight that this vehicle is carrying, that compression is more than it should be and the road is technically battered into submission by these vehicles,” he said.

Edmonton City Councillor Scott McKeen said the alleged infraction is “not some small matter to the city or the taxpayers.”

“It’s pretty close to a billion dollars we are spending on roads and road maintenance in this capital budget,” McKeen said. “Heavy loads have a significant impact on the wear and tear of the asphalt and the substructure, and has real consequences for the city and of course then for the taxpayers of Edmonton.”

Beattie would not publicly name the Edmonton-based company that has been charged.

“This company is still in business. They are also working for other people and I don’t think it would be fair for them to be targeted specifically by other people,” Beattie said.

Beattie said he believes there are a lot of trucking companies operating in the city that flout weight limits, either because of lack of knowledge or lack of enforcement. “I think it’s more prevalent than we first thought.”

Typically, Edmonton police conduct commercial vehicle inspections twice a year. Beattie said the EPS team of four inspectors will now work with other government agencies to do more proactive work and increase education about this issue.

Beattie could not confirm if $3 million is the largest amount that a single company has been fined for overweight loads.

Gill is expected to appear in court Dec. 3.

CANADIAN REGULATOR HALTS TRANSCANADA PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING SPILLS (Source: Reuters) Nov 20 Canada's national energy regulator has halted construction on a new TransCanada Corp natural gas pipeline after reviewing evidence that it may have spilled a toxic drilling fluid into a major Western Canadian river, a spokesman said on Friday.

The National Energy Board (NEB) said it issued a safety order on Thursday after reviewing records submitted by TransCanada related to four separate spills of drilling fluid into the Athabasca River, a waterway in northern Alberta. In a separate move earlier in November, the U.S. administration rejected TransCanada's Keystone XL pipeline project.

A TransCanada subcontractor caused the spills in Alberta while drilling to install a natural gas pipeline under the river, said company spokesman Mark Cooper. He explained that the drilling fluids consisted of bentonite clay and water, which he said would not pose an issue for humans or wildlife and would be dispersed quickly in the rapidly flowing water.

"We are working with the regulators and government agencies, and will not resume drilling before they approve our ongoing plans," said Cooper. "We will be presenting additional information to the NEB shortly to respond to questions they have raised."

The NEB said the spills occurred between Oct. 23 and Nov. 7 on the McDermott Extension, a natural gas pipeline under construction by a TransCanada subsidiary, north of the oil sands hub of Fort McMurray.

NEB spokesman Darin Barter said the regulator is now awaiting lab results to determine whether the fluids used were toxic. He said that companies were not supposed to be using toxic additives during this type of drilling.

"We obtained material over the last several days that called that into question that maybe the company used additives in that fluid that were toxic," Barter said in an interview. "So that was the impetus for the inspection officer order and the formalization of (asking them) to halt all operations on the site."

Barter said the NEB also informed the federal fisheries and environment departments about the incidents. He added that the NEB was leading the investigation but did not immediately have inspectors on the site.

The investigation comes as TransCanada pursues efforts to promote its proposed Energy East pipeline project that, if approved, would transport up to 1.1 million barrels a day of crude from Alberta across the country to Eastern Canadian refineries and the Atlantic coast. (Reporting By Mike De Souza; Editing by Diane Craft)

EXPERT PANEL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS OIL SPILL RESEARCH GAPS (Source: Global News) CALGARY — A report by the Royal Society of Canada says there are major research gaps when it comes to understanding the environmental impacts of oil spills in water.

The expert panel is calling for a nationally co-ordinated research program involving academia, government and industry that includes studying controlled oil spills in the field.

The report’s release comes as Canada’s oil producers clamour for ways to get their oil to market and industry critics sound alarms over the safety of moving crude via pipelines, train and tanker.

The panel says the heavy oilsands-derived crude that would move through proposed pipelines like Energy East and the Trans Mountain Expansion has components that are less likely to break down in water than lighter types of oil.

But the panel cautions the chemical makeup of the crude is only one variable. Weather conditions and response time are big factors in how environmentally damaging a spill ends up being.

The roughly 400-page report was commissioned by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association. But those industry groups did not have a say in who sat on the panel or the content of the final report.

Industry groups and government bodies often enlist the Royal Society — an association that includes some of Canada’s top scientists and scholars — to conduct research on their behalf.

Kenneth Lee, who chaired the seven-member panel, said CAPP and CEPA only saw the report 24 hours before its release.

He said one of the big takeaways is that it’s not necessarily the case that diluted bitumen from the oilsands — often referred as dilbit — is more damaging if spilled into water than other types of crude, given the myriad other factors at play.

“It’s much more than ‘Gee- dilbit’s really bad and light oil evaporates,'” said Lee, director of oceans and atmosphere at Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization.

“There are so many factors that you have to understand and where’s the data for those areas of risk?”

The National Energy Board is weighing two major oil pipeline proposals — the Trans Mountain Expansion to the Vancouver area and the Energy East pipeline to New Brunswick. The process has been criticized by environmental and First Nations groups and the new Liberal government has signalled changes are coming.

Lee said it’s not for him to say what the NEB or the federal Natural Resources department ought to do with the report’s findings.

“There are knowledge gaps, but how much risk they’re willing to accept is up to them. That’s something that the regulator does. We’re scientists that provide the facts to them to make those decisions.”

The panel identified seven “high priority research needs,” which are:

The impact of oil spills in high-risk and poorly understood areas, such as the Arctic.

The effects on aquatic wildlife.

A national baseline research and monitoring program for areas that may be affected by a spill in the future

Controlled field research to understand how a spectrum of crude types behave in different ecosystems and conditions

Investigating the efficacy of spill response and being able to learn from spills soon after they occur.

Improved spill prevention

Improved risk assessment protocols for oil spills.

BC HYDRO SET TO SIGN SITE C DAM CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT WORTH $1.5B Contract is the largest of the controversial $8.3-billion project

(Source: CBC News) The controversial Site C construction project is one step closer to reality with BC Hydro choosing consortium Peace River Hydro Partners on Nov. 25 as its preferred partner in a $1.5-billion dollar contract to construct the dam near Fort St. John.

The eight-year main civil works contract is the largest single contract for the Site C project, which is expected to cost a total of $8.3 billion.

The contract is expected to be awarded by early 2016.

The Peace River Hydro Partners is a consortium made up of Acciona Infrastructure Canada, Samsung C&T Canada and Petrowest Corporation, which is based in Fort St. John.

Minister promises B.C. jobs

About 1,500 people are expected to be working on site by mid-2018.

"We want British Columbians to get first dibs on the jobs," B.C. Minister of Energy and Mines Bill Bennett told B.C. Almanac host Gloria Macarenko.

"There will be literally hundreds of subcontractors that will get work out of this, and they will be largely from British Columbia."

Bennett said the tender put out on the contract required bidders to guarantee First Nations workers, contractors and businesses would be given opportunities to work on the project.

He said Peace River Hydro Partners also has to commit to hiring local workers from all over B.C., but specifically in the northwest of the province.

"I'm quite comfortable in guaranteeing that this particular consortium that won this bid today is absolutely committed to finding local workers throughout the life cycle of the project, and to also doing its best to give opportunities to B.C. contractors, to B.C. companies. I'm absolutely convinced of that."

Bennett said using temporary foreign workers would be a last resort if no qualified Canadian worker could be found for a position.

Criticism of jobs plan

A statement released by the B.C. Building Trades, an umbrella organization for construction unions in B.C. and the Yukon, said that one in four workers currently on the site is from outside the province.

"It will get worse. Without a project labour agreement we doubt that B.C. workers will be given priority for Site C jobs," said executive director Tom Sigurdson in the statement.

Minister Bennett told B.C. Almanac that "right now about 80 per cent of the people working at Site C are from British Columbia."

"You hear there are lots of Alberta licence plates in that area, well a lot of people who were working in the oil patch have now come over and they're working again and living again in British Columbia."

B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan said the project should be put to the British Columbia Utilities Commission, an independent regulatory agency of the provincial government.

"I think British Columbia would be better off if the someone other than a Liberal told us this was a good idea," he said.

Horgan said that if his party were to be elected in the next provincial election, it would focus on creating jobs in other forms of energy, such as wind and solar power.

'We could create more jobs in more parts of the province with technology that's changing by the minute. That makes more sense than going back to a 1950s solution," he said.

"Our dams were the envy of the world. They continue to be a significant advantage to us. But building another one will alienate farmland, alienate the First Nations and spend money we don't have that we'll have to pay back in the long term."

PROVINCE OF MANITOBA TO INTRODUCE PROPOSED LAKE-FRIENDLY LEGISLATION TO PROTECT

MANITOBA’S RIVERS, LAKES, WETLANDS The Manitoba government will introduce proposed legislation that would strengthen the protection of wetlands, set nutrient targets to improve water quality, and enhance inspection and enforcement efforts including greater fines for illegal drainage, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Tom Nevakshonoff announced today.

WireService.ca Media Release (11/24/2015) Winnipeg, MB - "We are fundamentally changing the way we protect wetlands and are taking a fresh approach to ensure clear water for future generations right across the province," Minister Nevakshonoff said. "Every action has a consequence and we need to be sure we continue to do the right thing for lakes and rivers. These waterways are critical for the future of Manitoba and we have a responsibility to ensure these great lakes are protected for our children and grandchildren."

The proposed bill would support a number of lake-friendly initiatives that would significantly advance efforts to protect Manitoba lakes, rivers and wetlands, the minister said. The minister noted it would amend five provincial statutes including the Water Rights Act, the Water Protection Act, the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Act, the Planning Act and the Conservation Districts Act (renamed Watershed Districts Act).

"Protecting wetlands is one of the single most important actions we can take for the health of Lake Winnipeg," said Alexis Kanu, executive director, Lake Winnipeg Foundation. "Our members have been pushing for strong drainage regulations that ensure we do not lose any more of our wetlands' filtering capacity in Manitoba. This legislation would be the first step in that direction and must be backed by strong regulation to truly translate to impact on the ground."

Minister Nevakshonoff said after significant input through public workshops, written submissions and working with front-line groups such as the Keystone Agricultural Producers and various conservation districts, the province released Manitoba's first comprehensive Surface Water Management Strategy in June 2014. The minister said this proposed bill would support many initiatives outlined in the strategy and would:

• ensure there is no net loss of wetland benefits by making landowners compensate for any such losses; • enable the establishment of water quality targets for nutrients and reporting requirements; • modernize the Conservation Districts program to strengthen integrated watershed management planning, implementation and stakeholder involvement; • reduce red tape, streamline drainage licencing requirements and enable a registration process for prescribed low-impact/low-risk water control works; • modernize inspection and enforcement tools, and increase penalties for illegal drainage to a maximum of $500,000; • recognize transboundary water boards such as the Red River Basin Commission and the newly formed Assiniboine River Basin Initiative; and • establish the Lake Friendly Stewards Alliance and recognize the Lake Friendly Accord.

"Today's landmark announcement is the beginning of the government of Manitoba's insightful leadership toward a healthier environment in our province," says Scott Stephens, director, regional operations, prairies, Ducks Unlimited Canada. "Given the urgent need to improve water management decision-making, in both Manitoba and Saskatchewan, passage of this act should be a priority for our legislative assembly."

This strategy supports TomorrowNow - Manitoba's Green Plan, and Manitoba's forthcoming climate change strategy, which will recognize the vital importance of wetlands in the province. The further protection of wetlands could potentially prevent approximately 418 million tonnes of greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere, the minister said, adding these potential emissions are equivalent to the emissions of four million passenger vehicles over 20 years.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

WETLANDS AND NO NET LOSS

In 2010, the Manitoba Water Council conducted public consultations to seek Manitobans' perspective on wetlands. The council held 22 public meetings in 11 locations across the province. During these consultations, the 2013 consultations on the surface water management strategy and the 2014 consultations on proposed changes towards sustainable drainage, the public clearly communicated support for enhanced wetland protection.

Wetlands provide valuable benefits to ecosystems and to all Manitobans. During a flood, water retained in a wetland provides a buffer by storing water temporarily and helping to reduce damage to roads, bridges, homes and agricultural lands.

Wetlands are a critical part of the water cycle. The environmental and economic benefits that wetlands provide to Manitobans are significant and include:

• flood reduction, • drought protection, • improved drinking water quality and filtering pollutants, • protection of biodiversity and habitat, • recreation and tourism opportunities, • carbon storage, • climate adaptation resilience, and • cultural and traditional use.

No net loss is a principle both nationally and internationally acknowledged and is widely used in wetland conservation. Under the proposed legislation, using the no net loss principle, Manitoba would seek to balance unavoidable loss of wetlands and their benefits through restoring or enhancing other wetlands preferably within the same watershed. Under this approach, the alteration or drainage of a wetland may be justified on the basis of broad social and economic benefit, but compensation would be required to maintain the balance.

NUTRIENT TARGETS

Excess phosphorus and nitrogen (nutrients) are increasing the frequency and severity of algal blooms in many waterways. Algal blooms spoil drinking water, ruin beaches, reduce property values, and damage fish and other aquatic life. Some algae produce toxins that can be dangerous to people, livestock and pets. Algal blooms also have

a negative effect on the economy by decreasing tourism and over time, may reduce the productivity of commercial and recreational fisheries.

The bill would enable targets to be set through a regulation under the Water Protection Act following public consultation.

The province is taking a strong proactive approach to protecting water quality across Manitoba and in particular, to reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loading to rivers and lakes. For example, over $1 billion will be invested and leveraged for initiatives to improve water quality over the next five years including funding for waste-water treatment in Winnipeg. Learn more about how Manitoba is being lake friendly at: www.gov.mb.ca/

FARO MINE CLEANUP SLOWED BY COMPLICATIONS: YUKON MINISTER Site may need expensive new dam and diversion system, Scott Kent says

Cleanup of one of Canada's most notorious contaminated sites continues, with no end in sight.

Yukon's mines minister told the legislature on Monday that the government is trying to close the Faro mine site, but there have been frequent setbacks.

"Some of the complications that have emerged in the last year include some water quality challenges in the north fork of Rose Creek," Minister Scott Kent said.

"That may translate into the construction of a new dam and diversion system worth a substantial amount of dollars in the next three to five years."

The Faro mine produced lead, silver and zinc from about 1970 until 1998. The federal government took over the site when the owner went bankrupt. In 2009, the federal and Yukon governments agreed on a plan to deal with the estimated 64,000 hectares of contaminated soil and groundwater.

Part of the agreement requires Yukon to come up with a closure plan for the Faro site, with the help of federal money.

'What does Yukon have to show for the millions of dollars spent?' asked NDP mining critic Jim Tredger.

"What does Yukon have to show for the millions of dollars spent on the Faro remediation project?" asked NDP mining critic Jim Tredger.

"There is still no finalized closure plan for Faro. And it is unclear if the mine site has even been stabilized to an appropriate level."

The Faro mine has become one of Canada's most expensive cleanup projects. Contaminants at the site include petroleum hydrocarbons, metal, metalloid and organometallics.

AIR CHINA CARGO – MORE THAN JUST A BIG PLANE

Anyone who’s spent time at Edmonton International Airport (EIA) recently has likely noticed the new airline liveries (paint jobs) lining its gates. In the last 18 months, some incredible new international carriers, like Icelandair and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, have started serving routes to fly passengers between Edmonton and Europe. More recently, and in a different air service vein, Air China Cargo (ACC) began Canada’s first scheduled freighter service to mainland China – right here in Edmonton. Not Vancouver or Calgary or Toronto – Edmonton. The route runs three times weekly, between Shanghai, Edmonton and Dallas-Fort Worth, connecting three powerhouse countries. In the aviation world, this is a huge deal.

ACC’s Boeing 777 is currently the largest scheduled aircraft that flies into EIA, dwarfing even its little sibling, the 767, which it often parks beside at Cargo Village. For people in the Edmonton Metro Region, this new route introduces previously untapped markets for shipping goods. Direct access to mainland China provides Edmonton producers a faster route to one of the world’s largest economies. No longer will we have to truck goods to other air service centres; everything is right at our doorstep. EIA now has direct air cargo delivery to Europe, the US and Asia and truck connections to anywhere in Western Canada within 24 hours. This will enable Albertan and northwestern Canadian businesses to reach any customer or supplier in hours instead of days or weeks. Similarly to how Ocean Odyssey Inland capitalized on the direct access to Iceland’s fishing industry via Icelandair, local entrepreneurs now have a new opportunity for innovative business advancements. The service will bring many consumer goods like smart phones, tablets, audio/visual components, fashion merchandise and many other retail products to Edmonton from China. On the return voyage, agricultural products are one of the top shipments heading to China. The other leg of the journey, between Edmonton and Dallas-Fort Worth, ships a lot of energy sector equipment. A vote for Air China Cargo is a vote for the region Load numbers (a figure that measures how full the aircraft is) have been off to a great start on the inbound flights. We, as Edmontonians and Albertans, need to seriously reconsider any current shipping methods that do not involve EIA. It makes perfect sense to ship from closer to home, especially with the developments around Port Alberta and its recent Foreign Trade Zone designation. EIA estimates that ACC’s service will generate a $31 million GDP gain per year for the region. With Asia’s ascendance as a global economic powerhouse and Asian investment in Alberta totalling over $30 billion since 2012, establishing the ACC service now will advance the long-term economic prosperity of the Prairie provinces. For more information, visit www.flyeia.com.

BRAZIL DAM’S FAILURE FLOODED REGION WITH TOXIC WASTE, U.N. REPORT SAYS Samarco says its tests show mining tailings aren’t a danger to humans

(Source: Wall Street Journal) RIO DE JANEIRO—An avalanche of mud unleashed by a massive dam failure in Brazil earlier this month contained “high levels of toxic heavy metals and other toxic chemicals,” a pair of United Nations experts said Wednesday.

Special rapporteurs John Knox and Baskut Tuncak cited “new evidence” showing the presence of toxic waste in the mud, which swallowed entire communities and polluted hundreds of miles of waterways in southeast Brazil. Their findings contradicted repeated statements by the Brazilian government and the mining companies responsible for the dam that the chemicals released by the accident were harmless.

“This is not the time for defensive posturing,” Messrs. Knox and Tuncak said in a joint statement published to the website of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. “It is not acceptable that it has taken three weeks for information about the toxic risks of the mining disaster to surface.”

The failure occurred at an earthen dam operated by Samarco Mineração SA, a joint venture between global mining giants Vale SA and BHP Billiton Ltd. The dam held back some 55 million cubic meters of tailings, waste from Samarco and Vale’s nearby iron-ore mines.

As many as 12 people died when the sludge inundated towns in the area. At least 11 people are still missing.

All three companies have said the tailings are harmless and consist mostly of mud and sand.

Based on the available data, the tailings released by the dam were “chemically stable” and would behave like normal soils in the area, BHP said in a statement late Wednesday.

“The tailings that entered the Rio Doce were comprised of clay and silt material from the washing and processing of earth containing iron ore, which is naturally abundant in the region,” BHP said.

A spokeswoman for Samarco, in an emailed statement, reiterated that the tailings from its dam consist “basically” of water, iron-ore particles and quartz. New analyses that the company requested, she said, “attest that the material analyzed does not present a danger to human health.”

“The company respects the U.N.’s right to expression,” the Samarco spokeswoman said.

A Vale spokeswoman deferred to Samarco for comment.

The U.N. special rapporteurs received their information from the town of Baixo Guandu’s water department, which hired local laboratory Tommasi to analyze samples taken at three points along the Rio Doce, the main river in the region.

One of the samples, taken in the industrial city of Governador Valadares, showed levels of arsenic, manganese and other metals at several thousand times the acceptable maximums.

“I find it difficult to imagine that you would see such high, elevated levels normally--in a region where people are eating fish and drinking the water--and not have major impacts on human health or the environment,” Mr. Tuncak said in a phone interview.

The Brazilian government said on Nov. 19 that samples collected by the Geological Service of Brazil and the National Water Agency “indicated that there was not an increase in the presence of heavy metals in the water and sediments of the Rio Doce.”

Nevertheless, authorities cut off water supplies for hundreds of thousands of people along the river as the mud snaked downstream. Reports of major wildlife die-offs emerged in its wake, with news teams and local residents alike publishing videos of mud-coated fish agonizing in the river’s reddened waters.

The plume arrived at the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend, roughly 500 miles from Samarco’s dam.

Samarco, Vale, BHP Billiton and Brazilian authorities have come under fire for their handling of the incident. Residents of Bento Rodrigues, a village just below the dam system, said the mining companies had no alarm system set up to alert them when the dam failed. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff didn’t visit the scene until a week later.

“This disaster serves as yet another tragic example of the failure of businesses to adequately conduct human-rights due diligence to prevent human-rights abuses,” the U.N. statement said Wednesday.

Vale and BHP Billiton have denied responsibility for the accident, saying Samarco is an independently run, limited liability firm.

ESAA Member News

MATRIX SOLUTIONS ANNOUNCES NEW PRINCIPALS Robert Pockar, president and CEO of Matrix Solutions Inc., is pleased to announce the appointment of Daron Abbey, Sam Bellamy, Kelly Ostermann, Henri de Pennart and Manas Shome as principals of the company.

Daron Abbey, M.Sc., P.Geo., principal hydrogeologist, provides technical leadership in the areas of problem conceptualization and evaluation of risk-based studies.

Sam Bellamy, P.Eng., principal water resources engineer, is an expert in the development and application of hydrologic and integrated surface/groundwater models.

Kelly Ostermann, M.Sc., P.Ag., principal environmental scientist, specializes in assessment, remediation and reclamation, as well as soil, vegetation and wetland surveys.

Henri de Pennart, Ph.D., P.Biol., principal scientist, specializes in environmental impact assessments, integrated monitoring programs and aquatic spill response.

Manas Shome, Ph.D., P.Eng., principal water resources engineer, is an expert in hydrology and hydraulic engineering and frequently services as an expert witness at regulatory hearings.

Matrix Solutions Inc. is a Canadian, employee-owned multi-service environmental and engineering consulting company with 600 employees and 19 offices across Canada. Read the full announcement on the Matrix website. www.matrix-solutions.com

Hemmera Named One of Canada's 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures of 2015

Burnaby, BC – November 25, 2015 – Hemmera is proud to announce that it has been recognized by Waterstone Human Capital as one of Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ of 2015. This annual award program recognizes best-in-class Canadian organizations for having cultures that enhance performance and sustain a competitive advantage. “This is a huge achievement and we are very thankful to our employees for continually building Hemmera’s unique culture and living The Hemmera Way,” says Paul Hemsley, president and founder. “I am thrilled that our firm’s corporate culture is admired – this acknowledgement brings us even closer together as team.” Hemmera’s culture is defined by The Hemmera Way, a collective way of thinking that defines employees’ behaviours, actions, attitudes, and approach to serving customers and safeguarding the environment. It provides consistency in how Hemmera attains results, even when there are competing demands or multiple ways of addressing an issue. This year’s winners were scored on vision and leadership, recruitment and hiring for fit, cultural alignment and measurement, retention, rewards and recognition, organizational performance and corporate social responsibility. Forty winners are annually chosen across four categories: three are based on revenue (Growth and Small Cap, Mid-market, and Enterprise) and one not-for-profit category (Broader Public Sector). Hemmera was recognized in the Growth and Small Cap category. About Hemmera Hemmera is a boutique environmental consultancy that has been making a difference across Canada and around the globe since 1994. The firm’s highly respected multi-disciplinary professionals are leaders in environmental and social sciences and engineering. Hemmera provides quality services to industry, First Nations, and government. The firm has primary office locations in Burnaby, Victoria, Calgary, Whitehorse, and Toronto. Visit www.hemmera.com to learn more. About Waterstone Human Capital Waterstone Human Capital is a leading retained executive search firm specializing in recruiting for fit and cultural talent management for entrepreneurial-minded, high-growth organizations across North America. The Canada’s 10 Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ and Canada’s Most Admired CEO™ programs are founded and presented by Waterstone Human Capital. Program winners will be celebrated at the annual Canada’s Most Admired Summit and Gala, to be held on February 25, 2016 in Toronto.

Upcoming Events

CALGARY . JANUARY 28 - 29th, 2016 . MULTIPLE STREAMS TOPICS INCLUDE ENERGY PRODUCTION AND EXPLORATION, EQUIPMENT RELIABILITY

IMPROVEMENT AND LUBRICATION, ENVIRONMENTAL AND AIR QUALITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

EDMONTON . FEBRUARY 5th, 2016 . ENVIRONMENTAL STREAM

HOT BREAKFAST | NETWORKING BREAKS | LUNCH INCLUDED

Fairmont Palliser CALGARY

Fairmont Hotel MacDonald EDMONTON

January 28 - 29th, 2016 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

MULTIPLE STREAMS

February 5th, 2016 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM

ENVIRONMENTAL STREAM

For more information and to register, visit: http://www.agatlabs.com/techtalks-2016.cfm

CREW ANNUAL SCOTCH AND WINE TASTING

As we do every year when the weather starts to cool off, please join us to for the 3rd annual CREW Scotch and Wine tasting event hosted by The Bothy. This year we will be holding it on Thursday December 3rd from 330 until 530 (come when you can). The Bothy is located at 5482 Calgary Trail NW.

For $30, you'll get to try 3 very different scotches or wines, along with the finest charcuterie they have to offer.

If you are planning on attending this event, or bringing others, please RSVP as space is somewhat limited and we do need to let the Bothy know how many people are coming.

If you have any questions, please call Peter at 780.270.6160! We're looking forward to seeing you on December 3rd!

SUBSOIL SALINITY TOOL (SST) VERSION 2.5.3 UPCOMING COURSES The Alberta Environment Subsoil Salinity Tool (SST) is a tool which allows the generation of Tier 2 salinity guidelines for chloride. These courses are based on the recently-released Version 2.5.3 which includes an updated software interface and help-file, various updated guidelines, and enhanced ability to divide a site into subareas. The three-day full certification course includes a comprehensive exam on the third day and provides the necessary information and certification to perform and submit SST assessments. Cost for the course is $997.50 including GST, with a discount for government regulators or exam rewrites. A one-day update course demonstrating the new Version 2.5.3 is also available to those who have successfully obtained an SST certification number through a previous course. The update course does not include an exam, as previous certifications on older versions remain valid. The cost of this update course is $341.25 including GST, with a discount for government regulators. Calgary Full three-day certification course: March 8 – 10, 2016 Location: Equilibrium Environmental, 3004 Ogden Road SE One-day Update Course: March 3, 2016 Location: Equilibrium Environmental, 3004 Ogden Road SE For further information, please email SSTHelp@eqm.ca or contact Equilibrium Environmental at 403-286-7706 or visit www.eqm.ca for future course dates and a copy of the registration forms.

CLRA Alberta Chapter

2015 Edmonton Lunch and Learn Series

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Edmonton Lunch and Learn: "New and Reused Tools for Reclamation Practitioners"

Registration form is also available on the CLRA website.

Thursday, December 10, 2015

11:30 a.m. - 1:15 p.m. (Doors open at 11:15 a.m.) Royal Glenora Club - 11160 River Valley Road, Edmonton

Speaker:

Bonnie Drozdowski, MSc, PAg. Reclamation Scientist, Alberta Innovates

Deadline for registration is December 3, 2015.

Should you have any questions please contact:

Christine Johnson at 780-458-7787 ext 117 or cjohnson@traceassociates.ca

REMEDIATION SEMINAR: FROM ASSESSMENT TO APPLICATION

CCC Chemicals has teamed up with AGAT, Sequoia, Nelson Environmental, and Regenesis to put on an educational seminar on environmental remediation. Topics will include remedial strategy, chemical injection techniques, field sampling protocols, thermal desorption, and new developments in soil and groundwater remediation technology. Breakfast and lunch are included. Networking break will include coffee, tea, and snacks.

DECEMBER 3RD, 2015 DELTA EDMONTON SOUTH HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTRE

4404 Gateway Blvd NW, Edmonton, AB T6H 5C2 For more information and to register, please visit:

http://goo.gl/tcg1KP

Industry Positions Openings

For more information visit ESAA’s Job Board under the news section of HTUwww.esaa.org UTH

Environmental Specialist – NOVA Chemicals

Term: Full-Time Application Deadline: November 26, 2015 Job Start Date: Jan 1, 2016 Job Location: Joffre AB

NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals, plastic resins and end-products that make everyday life safer, healthier and easier. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is a wholly owned subsidiary of The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

The NOVA Chemicals Joffre site is located in Central Alberta, 20 km East of Alberta’s third largest city (population: ~ 100,000) – Red Deer. The area provides a wealth of recreational facilities and opportunities to enjoy a broad variety of physical or social activities. Red Deer is a multi-cultural city with a vibrant visual and performing arts community along with both competitive and recreational sports opportunities. Employees and contractors who work at the Joffre site have a wide variety of living options available to them. While the city of Red Deer is home for the majority of our employees, we have a significant population who have chosen lifestyles in near-by communities such as Lacombe and Stettler, recreational towns such as Sylvan Lake and Bentley, any number of small hamlets or the rural option of an acreage or farm. Educational options for school age children are broad and advanced education programs are available from facilities such as Red Deer College. Central Alberta prides itself in providing festivals and events in every month of the year and providing access to the beautiful parks and walking/biking trails.

The NOVA Chemicals Joffre site is the largest combined ethylene/polyethylene manufacturing site in North America and one of the largest in the world. We are a commodity chemical company that has been successful in consistently being able to perform as a top quartile performer. With a focus on operations excellence, plant availability, and

effective capital execution – we strive to be astute integrators of technology while both implementing and optimizing. Our site strives for best-in-class performance including engineering, construction, reliability, integrity, control, regulatory compliance and above all Responsible Care Excellence.

Responsibilities

At our Joffre site, near Red Deer, Alberta, we are seeking an individual for our Environment and Regulatory Team who is responsible for the development and implementation of a variety of environmental opportunities and assists in ongoing environmental performance improvement. You will be responsible for being the interface between the operating unit and the environment team. The specialist should focus on developing a detailed understanding of their plant and should be engaged with appropriate unit personnel and leaders on matters that pertain to environmental and regulatory management for the plant.

The key areas of responsibility may include but are not limited to:

• Applies and helps others apply relevant Responsible Care standards, policies and procedures • Support NOVA Chemicals sustainability initiatives • Build positive relationships with plant staff • Maintain operating unit inventories for air emissions sources, noise sources, spill containment systems, and points of

waste generation • Maintain emission calculations for the plant, including completion of tasks, validation of data, and identification of

changes or new calculations • Maintain unit specific environmental procedures and incorporation of environmental content in appropriate unit

procedures. • Coordinate unit issues (soil/groundwater, air, waste, etc.) including improvement ideas and awareness

Develop and promote environmental improvement opportunities • Collaborate with program specialist with work in the plants: scheduling, work notifications, unit orientations, equipment

operation • Work on broad assignments with others to achieve common goals/deliverables (may include field work and data

analysis involving noise monitoring, soil, groundwater and surface/potable water)

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree with a preference for Environmental Science or related diploma • 7 – 10 years of direct experience in an applicable or related industrial or manufacturing environment

A preference for experience in environmental management/monitoring, including air quality (ambient air, fugitive emissions, greenhouse gases, continuous emissions monitoring systems and source emissions testing), soil/groundwater, spill prevention and response and environmental noise would be considered an asset

• Excellent communications and organizational skills as demonstrated with previous employers • Comfortable interacting with internal and external contacts and the ability to take initiative in building relationships

• Self-motivated focused on results, with the ability to work independently as well as collaborate with the team • Demonstrated analytical and troubleshooting skills

• Ability to interpret and apply technical documentation and general knowledge of environmental monitoring principles • Ability to adapt to new situations and challenges and embrace change and new ideas

Application Details: To apply online, please visit www.novachem.com/careers

ENVIRONMENTAL APPEALS BOARD – Board Members

The Environmental Appeals Board is currently accepting applications from qualified individuals to serve as part-time Board Members. The Environmental Appeals Board hears appeals of regulatory decisions made by Alberta Environment and Parks under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, the Water Act, and the Climate Change and Emissions Management Act. In hearing appeals, the Board’s main function is to make recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Parks. You will participate on panels at hearings, complete extensive file preparation, review evidence and submissions, and make recommendations to the Minister of Environment and Parks to address the appeals. The Environmental Appeals Board makes extensive use of mediation to resolve appeals and Board Members are responsible for conducting the mediations.

The Environmental Appeals Board is composed of professionals from throughout Alberta with demonstrated technical, scientific, and public policy expertise and substantial practical experience with environmental issues. Members serve the people of Alberta by working to advance the protection, enhancement, and wise use of Alberta's environment by providing fair, impartial, and efficient resolution of all matters that come before it. Members may also sit on the Public Lands Appeal Board as required. Your background will demonstrate a good working knowledge of administrative law, the function of administrative boards, and the hearing process. An understanding of environmental law, resource management, and Alberta’s regulatory systems would be an asset. The Board is seeking candidates with expertise in environmental engineering (water management), human health, land management, risk assessment and management, wildlife biology, and terrestrial biology. An ideal candidate would also have mediation training. The selection of Board Members is based on the expertise that the Board requires to address the appeals that come before it. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as a demonstrated decision-making ability, are required and are key to your success in this role. It is important that Board Members have a high standard of integrity and are impartial and free from bias. You will need to consider any potential conflicts of interest with participants that appear before the Board and identify any concerns in your application. There is no salary for this position. Board Members receive an honorarium in accordance with the Government of Alberta Committee Remuneration Order. Travel throughout Alberta is required and travel expenses are paid for by the Board. The time commitment is as required, and is generally 5 days per month. Appointments are generally for one or two years. Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. Applications may be used for future vacancies. The Board strongly encourages applications from women and individuals from other groups that are underrepresented on Alberta’s agencies, boards, and commissions. If you are interested in this opportunity, please forward your letter of interest and a detailed resume by December 18, 2015 to: Gilbert Van Nes, General Counsel and Settlement Officer, Environmental Appeals Board, 306 Peace Hills Trust Tower, 10011–109 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5J 3S8, Fax: 780-427-4693, E-mail: gilbert.vannes@gov.ab.ca. If you require any additional information about the Board, visit the Board’s website at www.eab.gov.ab.ca or contact Gilbert Van Nes at 780-427-4179. More detailed information regarding this position and the selection process is available on the Board’s website. We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Closing Date: December 18, 2015. Job ID No. 1032529

SURFACE WATER SPECIALIST Engineering and Related 2

Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton. We support Albertans in being proud stewards of air, land, water, and biodiversity by leading the work required for the desired environmental outcomes and sustainable development of natural resources. For more information about the Ministry of Environment and Parks, please visit our website at: http://aep.alberta.ca/

The Land-use Framework is a key Government of Alberta policy and a foundation for the provincial Integrated Resource Management System (IRMS). The Planning Branch leads Environment and Parks contribution to implementation of the Land Use Framework and works to coordinate and establish departmental position and input to Land Use Framework regional plans, strategies and policy initiatives. As a part of this effort, the Branch also has responsibility for leading the development of environmental management frameworks, regional strategic assessments and other tools designed to support decisions to achieve regional outcomes and objectives and evaluate performance.

Reporting to the Team Lead for Evaluation and Improvement, you will ensure that all surface water-related planning and assessment initiatives undertaken under the Land Use Framework are based on sound science. You will lead, coordinate and provide scientific and technical input to these initiatives, drawing on your knowledge of water resource management and aquatic ecosystem science, including human impacts on these systems. You will work across the IRMS and support the development and use of assessment tools (e.g. predictive models) to inform

decision-making processes. You may also provide science and technical support to other surface water strategy and policy initiatives across the department as needed.

Your ability to understand and manage multiple complex issues/tasks, and your strong project, time and organizational management skills are fundamental in this role. Strategic and lateral thinking skills are required to work within a broadly defined conceptual framework, identify emerging issues, and develop options for resolution.

ABOUT YOUR COMPETENCIES: Systems Thinking: ability to work within a broadly defined conceptual framework, and manage multiple complex issues and deliver results, and to drive linkages between regional strategic assessment, regional planning and linkages across environmental media

Creative Problem Solving/Judgement: ability to think and act beyond current practices and identify gaps, conflicts, alternative, and innovative opportunities in order to bring forward a balanced and integrated analysis and options for consideration.

Develop Networks: ability to develop effective relationships; to work collaboratively on multi-disciplinary teams; to identify and understand the issues faced by partners, their decision-making processes, and preferred means of interaction; and to ensure the Ministry’s input is most effective, strategic and that policy alignment occurs.

ABOUT YOUR WORK ENVIRONMENT: The temporary position ends on September 17, 2016. In this role, you will primarily be working in an office setting located in downtown Edmonton.

Salary: $3,007.16 – $4,163.64 bi-weekly ($78,486 – $108,671 per annum). Closing Date: December 4, 2015. Job ID #1033024

Qualifications: University graduation in engineering or geosciences plus five years progressively responsible related experience or equivalent. Preference will be given to candidates with a graduate level (MEng or MSc) with a water focus. Academic or field experience in limnology, aquatic ecology or aquatic chemistry is an asset. . Experience with Land Use Framework, and cumulative effects management is desirable. Equivalencies will be considered.

Eligibility for membership with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) is required.

This position may be used to fill future vacancies, and candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at lower classification and salary. BENEFITS:

Comprehensive and competitive benefits plan: http://www.chr.alberta.ca/Employees/DocList122.cfm

Pension plan: http://www.pspp.ca/members/publications/PSPP_Member_Handbook.pdf

Health Spending Account:http://www.chr.alberta.ca/Practitioners/?file=benefits/healthspendingacct/overview&cf=2

Online applications are preferred. Note: As only one file can be uploaded, please ensure your cover letter, resume and any other related documents are submitted in one file. Applicants who apply online will be able to track the status of this competition. If you are unable to apply online, please submit your cover letter and resume, quoting the Job ID, to: Linda Yan, Environment and Parks, Human Resources, 4th Floor, Petroleum Plaza, South Tower, 9915-108 Street, Edmonton, AB, T5K 2G8. Fax: (780) 427-2513. It is recommended that applicants who have obtained educational credentials from outside of Canada and have not had them previously assessed, obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) – http://eae.alberta.ca/labour-and-immigration/overview-of-immigration/international-qualifications-assessment-service.aspx It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application. If you require any further information on this job posting, please contact Linda Yan at: ESRD.HRS@gov.ab.ca. We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates’ education and experience best meets the needs of the position. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted. www.jobs.alberta.ca