Canada: Multiple Negative Impacts, But Hey, Go Ahead, Mine A Whole Bunch More Bitumen!
EDIT
In its decision, the review panel noted that the mine, 70 kilometres north of Fort McMurray, Alta., is surrounded by several other oil-sands projects, and that it will have positive economic benefits in Alberta and in the rest of the country. It said Alberta had identified bitumen mining as a “priority use” for the region.
However, the panel also said that the project would have numerous and varied ecological impacts both by itself and cumulatively with all the other development in the area, and that “weighed heavily” on its assessment.
“The panel finds that the project would likely have significant adverse environmental effects on wetlands, traditional plant potential areas, wetland-reliant species at risk, migratory birds that are wetland-reliant or species at risk, and biodiversity,” the panel wrote. “There is also a lack of proposed mitigation measures that have been proven to be effective.”
Shell said it was pleased with the green light and was reviewing the conditions and recommendations.
EDIT
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/oil-sands-expansion-conditionally-approved-despite-significant-effects-on-wildlife/article13104665/
Well OK then!
