Alberta First Nation says oil seepage worse than anticipated
Posted Mar 21, 2023 3:00 pm.
Last Updated Mar 21, 2023 3:15 pm.
The province and a northern Alberta First Nation are still not seeing eye to eye when it comes to seepage from the Kearl oilsands site.
The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation says they were granted access to examine the impacted area.
They say it was worse than what they anticipated.
ACFN officials say they saw toxic water in uncontained areas near waterways, animal tracks leading into the spill area, and new tailings puddles.
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They also allege some of the mitigation infrastructure has only been installed in recent days.
Premier Danielle Smith says several groups including the province and federal government are continuing to monitor the site.
But she reiterated that she’s seen no evidence of impacts on drinking water or wildlife, saying that the bigger issue is poor communication by the Alberta Energy Regulator and Imperial Oil.
