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125 birds euthanized after landing on tailings pond
Featured | Calgary Herald | Renata D'Aliesio and Kelly Cryderman | October 26, 2010
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About 125 birds were euthanized after landing on a Syncrude oilsands tailings pond just three days after the company received the highest environmental fine in provincial history.
Syncrude released a statement at 2 p.m. Tuesday saying freezing rain caused the birds to land at various locations on their property, including the Mildred Lake pond. About 125 of the birds were euthanized after being in contact with the bitumen, the company said in the statement.
“Syncrude’s waterfowl deterrent system had been in full operation at the time,” said the release. “In addition, extra air cannons, flare guns and air horns were used at the Mildred Lake Settling Basin in an attempt to scare the birds away from the area, but with no response. Currently, approximately 200 birds have been counted on the Mildred Lake settling basin, of which about 125 have been euthanized due to contact with bitumen floating on the surface. The remaining birds are still being assessed by Syncrude and Alberta government personnel.”
The freezing rain apparently made it difficult for the ducks to fly — they appeared exhausted by the storm, Syncrude staff said.
“We are co-operating fully with regulators and are working to minimize waterfowl losses,” said Scott Sullivan, Syncrude president and CEO in a statement. “This is very unfortunate, especially given the significant efforts we have taken to improve our deterrent system.”
Provincial environment officials are on the scene investigating.
Alberta Environment Minister Rob Renner called the incident “discouraging in the extreme.”
“I cannot express how disappointed and frustrated I am that this incident occurred,” Renner told reporters at the legislature.
“Albertans deserve answers to why this happened again and we will do everything we can to get those answers as quickly as we can.”
Syncrude was sentenced on Friday for failing to take reasonable action to prevent the deaths of more than 1,600 ducks at a toxic tailings pond more than two years ago. The company was handed a $3-million creative sentence — a penalty some environmental advocates contended was too low.
Renner said it appears a bird deterrent system was in place when the waterfowl landed Monday night.
The province was notified of the incident around 10:30 p.m. At first light today, it confirmed birds were in the tailings pond.
Efforts are underway to recover the birds.
“As regulators, we’re taking this incident very seriously,” Renner said. “Weather in the area may have been a factor, but at this point in time all is anecdotal.”
Reports suggest freezing rain pelted the region last night. Renner said freezing rain can prompt migratory birds to land.
While Renner expressed frustration, he didn’t point that frustration at anyone. He acknowledged the incident will negatively impact Alberta’s oilsands image.
The 2008 tailings pond incident garnered international headlines and has served as a rallying call for environmental groups and politicians who are pushing the Alberta government to phase-out toxic wastewater ponds.
Renner said the province is taking action to eliminate the need for tailings pond. Critics argue the government isn’t moving fast enough.
“There will be a legacy of ponds to deal with for some time to come,” Renner said. “That’s why we need to take our role responsibly, have a thorough investigation and determine what, if anything, needs to be done to reduce the risk of this happening again.”
Tagged with: syncrude, fort mcmurray, birds, tailings pond
