Marie Lake - Update

[Penner]

EDMONTON (CP) _ The Alberta government has halted a plan to allow controversial seismic testing on Marie Lake.

Premier Ed Stelmach announced Tuesday night that there were too many safety questions about the technology involved in drilling for oilsands under water.

Calgary-based OSUM _ Oilsands Underground Mining Corp. _ had been granted permission earlier this year to conduct tests which would have included the firing of loud air guns in the water and the blasting of dynamite on shore.

Residents of the northeast Alberta lake were against the testing because they worried it would kill fish and ruin the ecosystem.

Stelmach says the government‘s old policies weren‘t up to handling underwater drilling for bitumen, and he says he has asked for a new policy to be developed.

“It hasn‘t been tried under a lake ever in Alberta.‘‘ Stelmach said. “I‘m not comfortable with the process that we have.‘‘

Don Savard of the Marie Lake Air and Watershed Society called the announcement “a wonderful day for Albertans.‘‘

“It‘s not iron-clad, but I believe personally that Mr. Stelmach has listened to Albertans,‘‘ Savard said. “Maybe Albertans are getting the government back.‘‘

Last month, more than 100 people took to boats on Marie Lake to protest the testing.

The province had imposed strict rules on the tests, and Ted Morton, Alberta‘s sustainable resources development minister, tried to reassure residents, saying the seismic tests would be safe.

But even Denis Ducharme, a fellow Progressive Conservative MLA who represents the area, blasted Morton and called the decision a bad move by a rookie minister.

Stelmach said Tuesday that Morton had done nothing wrong, and had been following procedure.

“The minister followed the rules,‘‘ he said. “There were questions unanswered. This is brand new technology.‘‘

“We want to ensure that it‘s safe.‘‘

Alberta Liberal leader Kevin Taft said that he suspected Stelmach‘s decision had more to do with talk of a looming provincial election.

“We don‘t know how long this is. Is this a temporary stay or is this going to is it going to be permanent?‘‘ Taft asked.

I hate to be a pessimist but this is not over by any stretch. The seismic testing is the only part of the project that was has been cancelled. The actual oil exploration project was never applied for and with a supposed $8B plus under the lake thus one can guarantee that OSUM Corp will be looking at all alternative avenues.

SRD has issued a statement that all seismic will be stopped on all Alberta lakes. This includes Frog Lake where an application was in the approval process and Crane Lake where the applicant had advised SRD that they were starting to prepare an application. The Crane Lake lease is also owned by the OSUM Corp which is the same company the holds the lease for Marie Lake. Alberta SRD said they would hold all applications until the cabinet reviews its policy and gives new direction.

I believe it is very important that to anyone who supports this decision regarding the stoppage of the testing to please continue to send in those letters supporting the stoppage as well as to reinforce that you want to see this decision to be for ever!!! We will need to stay involved and to continue with the pressure to ensure that the Marie Lake decision DOES NOT CHANGE and that Frog Lake and Crane Lake DO NOT even get a chance to go down this same path. All lakes in Alberta should be off limits, period!!! Qualilty of life and the enviroment must be protected.