Some are calling it a spill, other reports call it a blowout, either way, a large quantity of bitumen emulsion has been released into an area on the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range at a Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. site (CNRL), possibly harming animals and contaminating at least one body of water.
The releases might have started in May, according to some reports, but the news was only made public weeks later, with the most recent release taking place in late June. A clear idea of what exactly is going on in the affected area is not yet known.
First Nations people from the region are reportedly being kept out of the area, along with most everyone else. One scientist has reportedly spoken on the basis of anonymity, which may offer some insight, but leaves just as many questions unanswered.
The affected site is said to be on traditional land belonging to Beaver Lake Cree First Nation, and some people are arguing that those keeping them off the land are infringing on their treaty rights.
Estimates by Greenpeace and those by the regulator on how much bitumen has been released into the environment vary hugely.
These are just some of issues that have arisen from the incident. The secrecy around the issue is most troubling, and the seemingly conflicting reports of what exactly is going on is equally concerning.
In a time where the facts could possibly clarify many people's concerns, there appears to be a lack of communication, which only leads to more speculation and uncertainty for those affected.
One step that has been taken is a ban on the high pressure steaming method being used to extract bitumen at the sites affected. But Canadian Natural Resources Ltd., the company involved in the release, has reportedly said it is already done steaming cycles for the year and is now in the production cycles.
According to an article in the Calgary Herald, the Alberta Energy Regulator reported a similar release at one of the sites in 2009.
In the end, it seems hard to form a valid, fact-based, and well-informed opinion on the situation, since there are few solid facts to go on. Like many environmental issues in the world, only time will truly tell what affect this release/spill will have on its surroundings.
