Alta. tailings pond to get federal inspection

Environment Canada officials will be in northern Alberta on Tuesday toexaminea tailings pond operated by Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.that was the subject ofa CBC News investigation.

Federal Environment Minister John Baird made the announcement in the House of Commons on Monday, in response to a question fromEdmonton NDP MP Linda Duncan.

"We're deeply concerned about the reports that we have learned of," Baird said. "I have spoken to my deputy minister and Environment Canada officials will be on the ground to get a first-handlook at the situation tomorrow."

The pond is part of CNRL's Horizon oilsands project near Fort McKay, Alta.

The pond has containing berms on only three of its sides. Tailings on the western edge arecontained by a rise in elevation and clay beneath the surface, an arrangementapproved by Alberta's Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB).

But aboriginal people in the area are concerned that the animals they traditionally hunt and trap are drinking water from the pond, which could potentially put toxins into their food supply. There are no physical barriers to keep animals off the site.

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. acknowledged Monday that beavers are getting into a section ofthe sitebut they are doing what they can to keep the animals away.

"Yes we are aware that there are beavers, but not in the pond ... There is some surface water to the west of the tailings pond which is fresh water and not affected by the process water," said Calvin Duane, manager of environment for CNRL.

"We were aware of that quite some time ago and we're actually working with local trappers to work with us from Fort McKay to get the beavers out of there, so yes we're being very proactive with that, working with the local community to get the beavers out."

CNRL's Duane said the company might consider putting up a fence but is currently trying to keep animals away from the pond to the best of its ability. Measures includeclearing vegetation to make the area less attractive to wildlifeand monitoring the movements of animals.

"It can never have a zero effect," Duane said. "What we do is we try to get as low as we possibly can and that's what we're aiming to achieve."

CBC story not accurate: ERCB

The ERCB sent out a news release Monday stating the CBC story was inaccurate that the tailings are not leaking into the muskeg or a stream at the western edge.

"The water body in question is a minor stream which flows downhill into the tailings pond," the news release states.

"The tailings pond and the stream lie at the bottom of a natural depression and all water in the area flows into the pond, not out of it."

ERCB inspectors checked the site on Mondayand found it was compliant with its regulations. A similar finding was made when the pond was inspected by ERCB staff two weeks ago.

The muskeg lies within the CNRL lease boundaries andisproposed to be used as a dedicated area to dry maturefine tailings, the board says.

Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner said nothing appears to be out of line at the tailings pond and monitoring hasn't revealed any leaks or unregulated release of tailings.

"Early indications are that the tailings pond itself is well within the overall footprint that was prescribed," he said.

"This is a new tailings pond so it's just being filled up and there is an area on the west end of the pond that is using a natural hill to contain the pond."

CNRL is obligated touseanimal deterrents at the site to ensure no wildlife is harmed. Renner said his officials are investigating to ensure that these measures are in place.

Renner, along with Energy Minister Ron Liepert, and Sustainable Resource Development Minister Mel Knight, all insisted there isnothing wrong with CNRL's tailings pond, despite repeated questions from the opposition during question period at the Alberta legislatureMonday.

"An inspector was out there today and found that everything is in compliance," Liepert told the house.

Liberal Leader David Swann challenged the government over why there is little to prevent wildlife from accessing the pond.

"We need barriers to prevent water and animals from going in and out of a toxic site," he said.

NDP MLA Rachel Notley wondered why there isn't a berm all the way around the pond.

"How could this government possibly approve such a seemingly nonsensical strategy for containing liquid toxic sludge?" she asked the legislature.

Notleycalled on the government to prove that a three-walledpond is a safe way to contain tailings.