August 10, 2007
Oil fight brews
Marie Lake residents outraged by seismic tests
By RENATO GANDIA, SUN MEDIA
Tory MLA Denis Ducharme is slamming Sustainable Resource Development Minister Ted Morton's decision to allow seismic tests by a Calgary-based company on Marie Lake, one of Alberta's remaining pristine bodies of water.
He's also "very disappointed" that he found out about the decision through the media.
"I found that his lack of professional courtesy to me was unacceptable," Ducharme, of the Bonnyville-Cold Lake constituency, told Sun Media. "I'm certainly going to be having a discussion with the premier regarding this decision."
Ducharme suggested Morton's hands may be tied by the province's oil development policy.
"Maybe there are some changes that have to be done," he said. "Unfortunately, Mr. Morton did not show leadership."
Sustainable Resource Development approved Oilsands Underground Mining (OSUM) Corporation's seismic testing Tuesday in Marie Lake, which residents say will damage the ecosystem.
Peter Putnam, CEO and president, did not immediately return a call from Sun Media.
The company will use a so-called underground mine-based in situ process - inserting pipes under the lake to recover the oil.
Though the department approved the tests, spokesman Dave Ealey said, there are conditions the company has to meet before it can proceed.
The company has modified its test plans due to concerns expressed by nearby residents in the Cold Lake area, about 300 km northeast of Edmonton.
Marie Lake resident Hal Bekolay plans to greet seismic crews in his boat drinking coffee. "They're not going to get me off the lake unless they arrest me," Bekolay said. "It's my lake more than it's theirs."
Bekolay said residents were disgusted with the government for letting the tests go through.
"We are going to protest. If they have to lock us up, big deal. We're not taking it sitting down. They're going to have to do something drastic to get rid of me."
Edmontonian Doug Goss, who owns property by the lake, said the premier has broken his promise.
"The premier himself said that there's no seismic activity to be done on the lake until all the questions raised in the House are answered and they haven't done that."
The company plans to use instruments that will produce sound at 220 decibels, Goss said. This will affect the fish and other aquatic life in the lake, he said. Tests may also be conducted 24-7.
"Is everything for sale in Alberta?" asked Liberal MLA Bill Bonko, adding all Albertans should be concerned about the environmental hazards and quality of life issues the tests will produce.
NDP MLA Dave Eggen said it's disturbing that the government would sell leases under a lake when there are many other leases available elsewhere in the province.
Morton couldn't be reached for comment.
