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Syncrude found guilty in death of 1,600 ducks
The Associated Press
Canadian oil-sands company Syncrude has been found guilty of causing the death of 1,600 ducks in a toxic waste pond at its mine in Alberta.
The deaths of the mallards two years ago drew widespread attention and prompted Prime Minister Stephen Harper to lament that Canada’s international reputation had been hurt by it.
At the time, Syncrude said it was having problems with its electronic cannons, which were used to scare the birds away from the oily waters. The cannons were not working.
Alberta court Judge Ken Tjosvold said June 25 Syncrude did not deploy deterrence early enough or quickly enough. The company faces fines of up to C$800,000.
Alberta’s oil sands form an important Canadian industry but the process of separating out the oil has been criticized by environmentalists as highly polluting.
Tailings ponds contain waste from the separation process. Dozens of toxic tailings ponds have been building up over 40 years in northern Alberta.
Flock landed in April 2008 The flock of ducks landed on the tailings pond in April 2008. Such ponds, which contain billions of gallons of water left tainted after being used to remove oil from sand in the area, sit along the flyways birds use to migrate to and from northern nesting grounds.
Only a handful of ducks survived. Syncrude, which had initially reported 500 ducks were involved, later acknowledged the actual number was triple that amount.
Syncrude spokeswoman Cheryl Robb said deterrence measures now operate year round.
Robb said the company is concerned the ruling would open it up to litigation from special interest groups.
“We’re disappointed,” Robb said. “We were very concerned that the use of these charges would have had serious ramifications on Canada’s mining industry.”
Mike Hudema of Greenpeace said Syncrude and the Alberta government still have a lot to answer for.
“These toxic lakes should never have been allowed to be created. This isn’t just about the ducks. It is about health and protecting people and communities,” Hudema said.
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