By Shaun Penner

Bird Sanctuary

AER grants license to divert water from local Bird Sanctuary

Mar 22, 2019 | 12:03 PM

Saskatoon Lake is currently being used as more than just a Migratory Birds Sanctuary.

The Alberta Energy Regulator has granted Kelt Exploration Ltd. a license to temporarily divert water from the lake, for the purpose of hydraulic fracturing, as well as oil and gas drilling. The license kicked into effect on February 27 and expires at the end of the month (March 31).

The license states that the company, under the Alberta Water Act, may “divert up to 80,000 cubic metres of water at a maximum rate of diversion of 0.167 cubic metres per second from the source of water.”

“Kelt Exploration’s water diversion is expected to result in a surface level drop of 1.1 cm or less.” -Alberta Energy Regulator

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In an email to EverythingGP, spokesman for the AER James Mottershead sheds some light as to what that all means, and what is required on the user’s behalf.

“Kelt Exploration is required to measure the water level of Saskatoon Lake prior to the initial diversion and all daily operations and their TDL (temporary diversion license) does not allow for a drop of more than 10 cm from the initial level. Kelt Exploration’s water diversion is expected to result in a surface level drop of 1.1 cm or less.”

That drop in water level will be dependent on the continued runoff and melt of snow and ice, as no streams flow in or out of the lake. The average depth of the lake, according to the Federal Government is two and a half metres.

The issue being raised by some residents is not so much the use of water, but the fact that the water is being taken from a federally-regulated bird sanctuary, which is home in particular to Trumpeter Swans. The AER states that the Canadian Wildlife Service, which regulates and monitors these types of sanctuaries, reviewed the application and felt the TDL met specific conditions that would not affect the wildlife in or around the lake. If it is deemed that the habitat for any protected wildlife is negatively impacted by the activity, the diversion would have to come to an end.

A full list of activities allowed and prohibited on Migratory Bird Sanctuaries can be found on the Federal Government’s website.

The Energy Regulator also states that they have certified water specialists and biologists who review all applications. They also lay out specific criteria that must be met, before a TDL can be issued:

• The applicant must demonstrate the need for water,
• identify existing, potential or cumulative effects on household users, other licensees and traditional agricultural users,
• also identify existing, potential or cumulative effects on the aquatic environment,
• be aware of hydraulic, hydrological and hydrogeological effects,
• what the effects on public safety are,
• whether other sources of water could be used (wastewaters, saline water, etc.),
• First Nations Consultation adequacy,
• and other matters applicable to the licence, including all relevant policies and guidelines.

Trumpeter Swans will soon be making their way back to the region, as spring is now in the air. The weather has warmed up sooner than usual in the Peace Region, which will be something for both the AER and Kelt Exploration to watch out for as the birds make their return to the lake.

Residents and users who have any concern about the usage of water for industrial purposes in the area can attend an information session tonight at the Saskatoon Lake Community Hall at 7:30 p.m.