Birds more important than workers & fracked families: What game is AER playing at this time? Trying to impress the SCC that AER is not a worker & wildlife killing, pollution enabler? Because ruling in AER’s Leave to Appeal Redwater awaits? Syncrude charged in deaths of 31 great blue herons at tarsands mine; *If* convicted, faces maximum penalty of $500,000

The Alberta Energy Regulator has charged Syncrude Canada in the deaths of 31 great blue herons discovered at a pond at the Mildred Lake mine north of Fort McMurray two years ago.

• 30 blue herons found dead at Syncrude Mildred Lake site
• Syncrude blue heron deaths: A look at ‘the royalty of our wetlands’

The company is charged with failing to store a hazardous substance to ensure it does not come into contact or contaminate animals, according to a news release from the regulator. The charges were laid under the Environment Protection and Enhancement Act.

Syncrude spokesperson Will Gibson said the oilsands company is “truly saddened and deeply regrets” the death of the birds that occurred in an inactive part of the mine.

“Our goal is to prevent the deaths of birds and other wildlife as a result of our operations,” Gibson said. “We have already taken steps to address this after consulting with wildlife industry experts.” [the company was/is required to prevent wildlife deaths, not react after killing wildlife.]

Canons, strobe lights, radar

Gibson said Syncrude has made changes to its waterfowl protection plan, not just at tailings facilities after similar incidents, but also on other bodies of water. [Decades greedily too late. How many wildlife have been killed that the company has not disclosed?]

The changes include installing strobe lights, scarecrows, noise devices and a radar-based deterrence that activates propane-fired noise canons when birds approach.

There’s also a central bird-monitoring and control centre with year-round staffing, especially during known bird migration times.

“We know the public expects our industry to provide energy in a responsible way,” Gibson said. “We are committed to responsible development.” [Words Words Words. Meaningless words. The company killing wildlife speaks much louder than the company’s empty promises]

The incident was reported to the AER on Aug. 7, 2015.

Fine fair or fowl?

Environmentalists are praising the charges, but some say the fine still doesn’t fit the crime.

“How many times do incidents like this need to occur before we see stronger action from the government said Greenpeace spokesperson Mike Hudema. “That’s a fine Syncrude can pay-off in a couple of hours worth of profits.”

Cleo Desjarlais Reece, co-chair of the Keepers of the Athabasca Watershed Society, welcomed the charges.

“I am really happy,” Desjarlais Reece said. “We have great concerns about our wildlife, about our birds and our water.”​

Syncrude was fined $3 million when more than 1,600 ducks died after landing on a tailings pond in 2008.

In October 2010, more than 550 birds died or had to be killed when an early winter storm forced them to land on waste ponds belonging to Syncrude and Suncor.

In November 2015, 122 birds were killed after landing on three tailings ponds in the area, including one at Mildred Lake. [Emphasis added]

Syncrude charged in deaths of 31 great blue herons by Reid Southwick, August 3, 2017, Calgary Herald

Oilsands giant Syncrude Canada Ltd. has been charged under environmental rules after dozens of great blue herons were found dead near its mine north of Fort McMurray two years ago.

In August 2015, the consortium reported finding 30 of the large shorebirds at various stages of decomposition at its Mildred Lake oilsands facility, on top of another that was discovered two days earlier covered in oil before it was euthanized.

Syncrude didn’t have any deterrents at the inactive sump pond to spook wildlife when the herons were discovered, though it later installed fences, sound cannons and bird-scaring statues.

“We are truly saddened and deeply regret the deaths of these blue herons,” Syncrude spokesman Will Gibson said.

“This has strengthened our resolve to make sure that deterrent systems are everywhere they need to be on our sites.” [Too late Syncrude]

Alberta’s energy watchdog said Thursday it has charged Syncrude with one count under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act for failing to store a hazardous substance in a way that avoids contaminating animals.

If convicted, the consortium now controlled by Suncor Energy could face a financial penalty of up to $500,000. Its first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 27.

[What plan has the AER got up it’s sleeve?  Will it accept Suncor paying a “donation” to a pro-industry synergy group, like Pembina Institute, in exchange for dropping the charges? Are these charges just for show because of the heat the Supreme Court of Canada is getting from media coverage and outrage at their super long add-on Trinity Western intervenor list?  Compare to the SCC not even granting leave to two landowner intervenors in Ernst vs AER.

Unfair Supreme Court of Canada?  Biased? Do churches share control of the court with the oil and gas industry? Did the AER decide to press charges against Syncrude to deflect from the hot and bothered legal attention the SCC was getting because of Trinity Western’s mega intervenor list and special extended hearing?]

“We must review the charges in detail before we decide how we will proceed,” Gibson said. [Plead guilty behind closed doors, make a donation, and the AER & court will allow Syncrude to publicly say it wasn’t their fault?]

Greenpeace said it welcomed the charge, but argued the province should increase fines and “begin to take action on the toxic waste water and tailings ponds that are growing by the minute.”

“A fine that can be paid off by a few hours’ profit doesn’t send much of a signal to the company or to the industry, and as long as these toxic ponds and lakes are around, these preventable deaths will continue to happen,” the group said in a statement.

The 31 herons did not die in a tailings pond, but their deaths were far from the only bird fatalities at the oilsands.

Syncrude was fined $3 million after more than 1,600 ducks died at one of its tailings ponds in 2008. Images of oil-soaked birds spread around the world and helped crystallize environmental opposition against Alberta’s oilsands.

Another 550 birds were destroyed [Why can’t the Herald say “killed?”] a couple years later when a storm forced them to land on waste ponds owned by Syncrude and Suncor.

In 2014, 122 birds died after landing in tailings ponds at three sites controlled by Syncrude, Suncor and Canadian Natural Resources. [Emphasis added]

Comments

Geoff Scott · Boss at Self-Employed
when is Kentucky Fried Chicken going to be charged for all the birds it kills

Geoffrey A Pounder

The industry’s giant toxic tailings lakes and smaller run-off ponds are like an ongoing oil spill.

Either the deterrents don’t work or they aren’t even installed and operational.

There are hundreds of thousands of bird landings annually in these lakes.

Most bird landings —and deaths — go unobserved, unreported, and uninvestigated. Especially at night.

Oilsands companies have no idea how many birds and other wildlife they’re killing and displacing.

So much for our “responsible” oilsands industry.

UPDATE: SYNCRUDE CANADA CHARGED WITH 2015 BLUE HERON DEATHS by Erica Fisher, August 3, 2017, mygrandprairienow

UPDATE: Greenpeace has reacted to the charges with a call for further action:

“We are glad to see charges finally being laid against Syncrude, a company with a history of bird deaths on their tar sands operations. Syncrude didn’t have the safety equipment in place to protect these birds and, despite repeated assurances, continues to rack up an alarming number of wildlife incidents. While we welcome the charges, the government needs to increase the penalties these companies face and begin to take action on the toxic waste water and tailings ponds that are growing by the minute. A fine that can be paid off by a few hours’ profit doesn’t send much of a signal to the company or to industry, and as long as these toxic ponds and lakes are around, these preventable deaths will continue to happen.”

Syncrude Canada has been charged after 31 blue herons were found dead at their Mildred Lake oilsands mine two summers ago. The birds were discovered on August 5th, 2015, and the incident was reported to the Alberta Energy Regulator two days later.

At the time, one bird was still living, but had to be euthanized. The other 30 were already dead in a run off pond that had bitumen mixed in with the rainwater. It was not a tailings pond.

The AER says Syncrude is charged with one count of failing to store a hazardous substance in a manner than ensure that it does not come into direct contact with, or contaminate, animals under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada
Our goal is to prevent the deaths of wildlife as a result of our operations. We deeply regret the deaths of blue herons. #ymm #oilsands 1/5
3:40 PM – Aug 3, 2017

If convicted, the company could be fined up to $500,000. They’ll make their first court appearance on September 27th in Fort McMurray. Syncrude was previously fined $3 million when 1,600 ducks died after landing on a tailings pond at another facility in 2008.

Mildred Lake was also one of the facilities where 196 birds were killed after landing in three tailings ponds in November 2014. The AER found none of the three companies involved were responsible, as intense weather conditions forced the birds to land on the ponds in spite of the deterrents in place. [Emphasis added]

Syncrude Canada charged by Alberta Energy Regulator over deaths of 31 great blue herons by The Canadian Press, August 3, 2017, BNN

CALGARY — The Alberta Energy Regulator has charged Syncrude Canada in the deaths of 31 great blue herons two years ago at its Mildred Lake oil sands mine in northern Alberta.

The company is charged under the provincial Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act with failing to properly store a hazardous substance in a way that ensures it doesn’t come into direct contact with or contaminate animals.

Syncrude, which faces a penalty of up to $500,000 if convicted, is to appear in court on Sept. 27 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Spokesman Will Gibson said Syncrude is reviewing the charge to determine its next step but has already made changes to better protect birds on site.

“This has strengthened our resolve to make sure that bird deterrent systems are everywhere they are needed on our site,” he said, adding Syncrude’s plan previously focused mainly on its tailings ponds, which store water contaminated with oil, chemicals and clay from its oil sands processes.

“Our waterfowl protection plan now addresses incidental bodies of water which includes areas such as sumps where the dead herons were found.” [Too late.]

He said he didn’t know what caused the death of the birds at the sump, which he described as an inactive dugout near a pump station.

Syncrude was previously fined $3 million for an incident in 2008 when more than 1,600 ducks died after landing on a tailings pond.

Two years later, more than 550 birds had to be killed when an early winter storm forced them to land on waste ponds belonging to Syncrude and Suncor Energy. [Emphasis added]

Syncrude charged after 31 great blue herons found dead near Fort McMurray in 2015 by Kirby Bourne with files from Caley Ramsay, Global News 3, 3017, 630CHED

Syncrude Canada Ltd. is facing one charge under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act after 31 great blue herons were found dead August 2015.

The birds were found at the company’s Mildred Lake oil sands mine north of Fort McMurray, Alta. The discovery was reported to the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) on Aug. 7, 2015.

READ MORE: 30 blue herons found dead at Alberta oilsands site

“They were close to a sump, which is a low area where runoff fluids gather,” Bob Curran with the AER said at the time. “There was some bitumen there which impacted the one bird that they found this week and euthanized. The others were outside of that area so it’s unclear what the cause of death was.”

Syncrude has been charged with failing to store a hazardous substance in manner that it does not come into direct contact with, or contaminate, animals.

In a series of tweets sent Thursday afternoon, the company expressed its regret about the incident, but provided no further comment on the charges, saying it needed to “review the charges in detail.”

Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada
Our goal is to prevent the deaths of wildlife as a result of our operations. We deeply regret the deaths of blue herons. #ymm #oilsands 1/5
3:40 PM – Aug 3, 2017

Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada
Syncrude notified the regulators of the incident and cooperated fully with their investigations. #ymm #oilsands 2/5
3:41 PM – Aug 3, 2017

Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada
This incident has strengthened our resolve to make sure deterrent systems are everywhere they need to be on our sites. #ymm #oilsands 3/5
3:41 PM – Aug 3, 2017

Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada
We consulted experts to determine the changes we needed to make to help prevent a similar incident from occurring. #ymm #oilsands 4/5
3:42 PM – Aug 3, 2017

Syncrude Canada Ltd. @SyncrudeCanada
We must review the charges in detail before we decide how to proceed. #ymm #oilsands 5/5
3:43 PM – Aug 3, 2017

The company faces a fine of up to $500,000 if convicted.

The first court appearance is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2017 in Fort McMurray.

Greenpeace spokesperson Mike Hudema said in a statement the organization was happy to hear about the charge, but feels fines for these type of charges need to be higher.

“A fine that can be paid off by a few hours’ profit doesn’t send much of a signal to the company or to industry, and as long as these toxic ponds and lakes are around, these preventable deaths will continue to happen,” he wrote.

READ MORE: Environmental protection order issued to Syncrude after bird deaths at Alberta oilsands site

Syncrude, which operates one of the biggest oilsands sites north of Fort McMurray, was fined $3 million for the deaths of more than 1,600 ducks when they landed on its tailings pond in 2008.

In November 2014, about 30 birds died after landing on a tailings pond at Syncrude’s Mildred Lake facility. In total, 122 waterfowl died after landing on three sites, including the CNRL Horizon facility and Suncor Energy’s tailings pond.

Syncrude charged in deaths of 31 great blue herons by The Canadian Press, Aug. 03, 2017, The Globe and Mail

Comments closed

The Alberta Energy Regulator has charged Syncrude Canada in the deaths of 31 great blue herons two years ago at its Mildred Lake oilsands mine in northern Alberta.

The company is charged under the provincial Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act with failing to properly store a hazardous substance in a way that ensures it doesn’t come into direct contact with or contaminate animals.

Syncrude, which faces a penalty of up to $500,000 if convicted, is to appear in court on Sept. 27 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Spokesman Will Gibson said Syncrude is reviewing the charge to determine its next step but has already made changes to better protect birds on site.

“This has strengthened our resolve to make sure that bird deterrent systems are everywhere they are needed on our site,” he said, adding Syncrude’s plan previously focused mainly on its tailings ponds, which store water contaminated with oil, chemicals and clay from its oilsands processes.

“Our waterfowl protection plan now addresses incidental bodies of water which includes areas such as sumps where the dead herons were found.”

He said he didn’t know what caused the death of the birds at the sump, which he described as an inactive dugout near a pump station.

Syncrude was previously fined $3-million for an incident in 2008 when more than 1,600 ducks died after landing on a tailings pond.

Two years later, more than 550 birds had to be killed when an early winter storm forced them to land on waste ponds belonging to Syncrude and Suncor Energy.