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Greenpeace responds to bird deaths at toxic Syncrude tailings pond
A tailings pond outside of a Syncrude tar sands processing facility. This enormous, human-made pond contains water contaminated with byproducts from the oil separation process, which is too dangerous to be returned to the Athabasca River. (Image courtesy David Dodge, The Pembina Institute ©2007)
Enlarge ImageGreenpeace Canada is particularly concerned that Syncrude itself did not report this incident, which was instead called in late Monday night by an anonymous tipster.
“Today we have 500 more canaries and 500 more reasons why we need to put the brakes to this project,” said Greenpeace Tar Sands Campaigner Mike Hudema. “The fact that this devastating incident wasn’t reported by Syncrude begs the question of how many other incidents have been quietly covered up to safeguard their image. This speaks to the inadequacies of the government’s ability to monitor even the most basic environmental safeguards put on tar sands development. The relationship between industry and government in this province is much too close for comfort and this is a perfect – if tragic – example of exactly that.”
While the provincial government is threatening penalties of up to $1 million if their investigation finds Syncrude responsible for this incident, Hudema hopes they will include themselves in that investigation as well.
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