Something is seriously wrong,’ says Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation – CBC

Aug 09, 2015

‘Something is seriously wrong,’ says Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation

The recent bird deaths at a Syncrude oilsands facility in northern Alberta along with last month’s Nexen Energy pipeline spill — one of the biggest in the province’s history — show the need for better oversight, a local First Nation says.

“In less than one month, we have seen two major events that clearly demonstrate that something is seriously wrong,” said Allan Adam, chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), in a news release. “These incidents, and the countless more seen in recent past, are contributing to the degradation of the local ecosystems and the treaty and aboriginal rights of nations in the region.”

Alberta’s energy regulator said 30 blue herons died earlier this week at the Mildred Lake Facility north of Fort McMurray, Alta. An investigation into what caused the birds to die is still underway.

Read More: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/syncrude-bird-deaths-nexen-pipeline-spill-show-oilsands-degradation-of-ecosystem-first-nation-1.3184789