Slave River Research Articles

The Northern River Basins Study: context and design

Large river ecosystems worldwide are under increasing pressuresfrom environmentally degrading processes related to population increase,land use changes, climate change and the release of chemical substancesinto the environment. The large spatial scale and a lack of empiricaland theoretical understanding of the systems complicate environmentalassessment in these systems. Recently, the Northern River Basins Study(NRBS) undertook a multi-disciplinary approach to assess environmentaland socio-economic impacts of development in three large river basins,the Peace, Athabasca and Slave river basins in northern Canada. Thispaper provides the background and context for the NRBS and describes therationale used in developing an assessment framework for the Study. Anindependent science advisory committee comprised of scientific expertsfrom academia, First Nations and government oversaw quality assurance interms of science planning, implementation and reporting. All technicalstudies were subject to both internal and external peer review prior toapproval by a multi-stakeholder Study Board. The NRBS produced over 150technical and 12 synthesis reports that detailed these findings andprovided scientific recommendations. The Study Board used thisinformation to prepare a final report and recommendations. The NRBSprovides a clear example of a participatory, stakeholder approach thatwas successfully implemented in the design and management of anintegrated watershed environmental assessment program.

Seasonal variation in diet and trophic relationships within the fish communities of the lower Slave River, Northwest Territories, Canada

Increased industrial activities on the Peace and Athabasca River systems have raised concerns about cumulative impacts on fish and water resources downstream, in the Slave River of Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Canada. Because very little information was available on the fish communities in this system, we examined spatial and temporal patterns of diet for nine species (four piscivores and five invertebrate feeders) from three different types of habitat along the lower Slave River system and assessed trophic relationships within the communities. All actively feeding species exhibited seasonal variations in diet within and among the study areas. Dietary overlap was generally low throughout all seasons and locations. In the lower Slave River and its major tributary, the Salt River, substantial dietary overlap between piscivores (particularly walleye, Stizostedion vitreum), and invertebrate feeders occurred in the spring. In the summer no overlap occurred as walleye shifted to a more piscivorous diet, attaining a moderate degree of overlap with northern pike, Esox lucius. Compared with the Slave River, which is a large but homogeneous system upstream of its delta at Great Slave Lake, there was a greater diversity of actively feeding invertebrate feeders in the Salt River. Three of the latter were benthic feeders exhibiting moderate degrees of diet overlap during spring and summer. During the fall, few fish were feeding. Most fishes in the lower Slave River system are generalist, opportunistic feeders, consuming a number of different prey, the importance of which varies spatially and seasonally, as the abundance of these prey varies in the environment.

Sediment Bound Contaminants in a Remote Northern Delta

Deltas of major rivers are among the most productive and environmentally sensitive components of riverine systems in cold regions, and are of great hydrological and ecological importance. Much of their productivity stems from the supply of nutrient-rich sediments that rejuvenate in-channel, perched and riparian habitats. Such sediments, however, can also be a source of organic contaminants and deltas, because of their natural tendency to accumulate sediments, may become retention zones or sinks of these. The objective of this research was to determine the nature of sediment-related organic contaminant deposition in the Slave River Delta, Canada – a remote area that is now experiencing the effects of rapid upstream development. A special focus was placed on the protracted low-flow period that characterizes the winter period during which there should be a significant deposition of fine-grained sediment – size fractions with an affinity to adsorb organic contaminants. Results of an exploratory field program conducted during the 1997 pre-breakup and pre-freeze-up periods support the concept that the under-ice period is a time of significant fine-grained sediment deposition. Moreover, the contaminant load was found to be higher at the end of the winter flow recession rather than in late autumn following the major summer flow events. Comparisons of the observed contaminant levels measured in the delta are also made with those recorded by others in the upstream river that feeds the Slave Delta and in Great Slave Lake downstream of the delta.

Verification of a transient input, two-dimensional, river mixing model

A two-dimensional river mixing model capable of handling unsteady input conditions is evaluated in this study. The numerical model utilizes a streamtube representation of the river and a calculation grid which is optimized to eliminate errors associated with advective transport calculations. The application of the modelling procedure to natural river systems is evaluated by comparing model output with the results of tracer studies conducted on the North Saskatchewan, Peace, and Slave rivers. The study results represent a far more extensive field verification of this modelling procedure than had been previously reported by other authors.Key words: river mixing, mixing zones, tracer tests, water quality modelling, mixing coefficients.

Geomorphological and botanical change on the Outer Slave River Delta, NWT, before and after impoundment of the Peace River

This paper examines geomorphological and botanical changes on the outer low elevation portion of the Slave River Delta prior to and after impoundment of the Peace River at Hudson's Hope, British Columbia. The Slave River Delta deposits are approximately 8300 km2, about 5% (400 km2) is defined as the active delta which progrades into Great Slave Lake through an active system of distributaries. This active portion of the delta is the area studied. The Peace River provides approximately 65% of the annual flow of the Slave River. Alteration of the natural flow regime and suspended sediment load of the Slave River has resulted from the upstream impoundment. Calculations indicate that the annual suspended sediment load in the Slave River has decreased by 33%. Using aerial photographs of the Slave Delta taken in 1946 and 1966, prior to damming the Peace River, geomorphological change and the spatial changes in plant assemblages have been recorded using GIS software. Aerial photographs taken in 1977 and 1994 were used in similar fashion to document geomorphological and botanical change and rates of change after impoundment. The Outer Delta is most susceptible to hydrological and suspended sediment changes in the river system. As such it is shown that geomorphological development in these Outer Delta landforms has been notably reduced since impoundment and changes in plant assemblage distribution indicate a drier, less productive environment. Results of aerial photo analysis show that the rate of development of distinctive cleavage bar islands on the Outer Delta has been notably reduced since impoundment. Changes in plant assemblage areas on these islands indicates both an autogenic and allogenic change to a drier, less productive environment and actual loss, by erosion, of some of the most productive Equisetum assemblages. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Geomorphological and botanical change on the Outer Slave River Delta, NWT, before and after impoundment of the Peace River

Geomorphological and botanical change on the Outer Slave River Delta, NWT, before and after impoundment of the Peace River

Baseline studies in the Slave River, NWT, 1990–1994: Part IV. Evaluation of benthic invertebrate populations and stable isotope analyses

The Northwest Territories (NWT) portion of the Slave River is downstream of the Athabasca and Reace Rivers and the potential for contamination from industrial and agricultural processes from these sources and from long-range transport is very real. In response to this threat, the Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program was established cooperatively between the government of the Northwest Territories and federal government agencies in 1991. A 5-year program was conducted to examine the quality of the water, suspended sediment, and fish in the territorial portion of the Slave River and to establish a baseline data set for comparison purposes in future monitoring programs. Additional facets of the study on the Slave River included an assessment of the benthic invertebrate population, since it was recognized that such a survey could be important for biomonitoring purposes. Abundance of organisms, taxon diversity, and presence or absence of sentinel species could all be used to assess environmental contamination. The final focus of the program was the examination of stable isotope ratios of carbon, sulphur, and nitrogen in the Slave River fish. Ecologically, these measurements can be used to determine the feeding and migration pattern of fish, and to define their trophic position in the food chain. From a toxicological point of view, these stable isotope ratios can help explain contaminant sources and transfer through the food chain. The benthic invertebrate survey was conducted in 1990 and 1991. The study concluded that the abundance of benthic invertebrates at the numerous sites examined in the Slave River was very low and organisms that had been used in other biomonitoring studies (e.g. bivalve molluscs, large oligochaetes) were rare or absent. Over 90% of the invertebrates collected from the Slave River were chironomids or small oligochaetes and comparisons of benthic invertebrate communities in the Slave River Delta indicated that few changes in percent composition or diversity had occurred over a 10-year period. The benthic invertebrate survey provided a baseline for future population analysis. Analysis of the stable isotope ratio of sulphur in fish from the Slave River indicated at least two significant food sources. One source is probably from Great Slave Lake, while the other is probably upstream of Fort Smith (Athabasca and Peace Rivers). Also, the stable isotope of carbon indicated that the food source is via different pathways and may include benthic as well as pelagic origins. It is difficult to make any conclusions regarding the organic concentrations found in fish tissues and their possible significance to isotope analysis, since the overall contaminant body burdens were generally very low or below analytical detection.

Baseline studies in the Slave River, NWT, 1990–1994: Part I. Evaluation of the chemical quality of water and suspended sediment from the Slave River (NWT)

The Slave River watershed at the Alberta-Northwest Territories border drains a large area and is the recipient of chemical compounds from a variety of aquatic sources, including the Athabasca and Peace Rivers. The potential for contamination from industrial and agricultural processes upstream is very real. Thus, the Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program was established in 1990 to assess the water and suspended sediment quality in the territorial portion of the river. A baseline data set with which to determine present and future effects from upstream activities and long-range transport of contaminants was created. The number of ‘above detect’ data points from measurements of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and chlorinated phenolics (CPs) in water was small and those concentrations of compounds that were above analytical detection limits were very low and unlikely to have adverse effects on the ecosystem. No pesticide levels were ever detected in the water during the 5-year monitoring period, even though long-range transport of these contaminants to the Arctic have been well-documented. Levels of metals were often observed in measurable concentrations in the Slave River water, and frequently exceeded water quality guidelines, although not by any substantial amount. It was concluded that although the concentrations were relatively high, the metals are probably occurring naturally, and not from upstream industrial sources. It was speculated that aquatic biota had probably adapted to these levels. Although PAH concentrations in suspended sediment from the Slave River at Fort Smith often exceeded the ‘Lowest Effect Level’ guideline established in bottom sediment by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, values remained well below the ‘Severe Effect Level’. Conclusions were reached that PAH concentrations in Slave River suspended sediment were not substantial enough to cause a threat to the ecosystem. Metal levels in suspended sediment remained variable over the 5-year monitoring period and no trends could be seen regarding an overall increase or decrease in concentrations. The low number of ‘above detect’ data points for pesticides and chlorinated phenolics observed in the suspended sediment during the program suggested that adverse impacts would not be occurring from these contaminants in the watershed. Lastly, although certain concentrations of dioxins and furans were measured and were often higher than levels observed in the Wapiti/Smoky River system and the Athabasca River, the values were very small and the contributing homologues had a minimal toxic potential. Detectable levels of 2,3,7,8-TCDD were never observed in the suspended sediment in the Slave River at Fort Smith. Sediment elutriate tests over a 48 h period using Dophnia magna and Photobacterium phosphoreum (Microtox) indicated little acute toxicity. These results seem plausible, given that chemical concentrations of contaminants in the suspended sediment were generally very low or below analytical detection. It can be concluded from the extensive data set collected during the 5-year program that impact from upstream industrial and agricultural sources is, at the present time, negligible, and that the environmental quality of the Slave River at Fort Smith is pristine. Also, the extensive data set has established a baseline, which can be used for future comparative purposes.

Baseline studies in the Slave River, NWT, 1990–1994: Part II. Body burden contaminants in whole fish tissue and livers

The Northwest Territories' section of the Slave River is the recipient of chemical compounds from a variety of sources, including upstream industry and agriculture. In 1990, concerned government agencies formulated a practical, focussed, and comprehensive environmental monitoring program to assess contamination in the river and the Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program was established. The program was designed to respond to the distinct requirements of two major monitoring goals. The first priority was to ascertain whether the fish in the Slave River were safe to eat. The second goal was to establish a baseline data set with which to compare future effects from upstream activities and long-range transport of contaminants. From the data gathered in the present study, it appears that whole tissue of fish (muscle) is fit for human consumption. Throughout the monitoring period, consistently low concentrations of organochlorine pesticides, PCBs, dioxin and furan isomers, PAHs, chlorinated phenolics, and heavy metals have been observed and median concentrations have all been below federal fish consumption advisories. Also, the numerous data values below analytical detection limits attest to the relatively uncontaminated nature of the fish. These results were comparable with other studies conducted on arctic animals. The heavy metals observed in fish tissue are probably of natural origins, since inorganic analyses of suspended sediment in the Slave River indicated relatively elevated levels, with no known anthropogenic source. While the present study concluded that contaminant levels in whole fish are low, toxaphene levels in burbot livers should continue to be monitored since concentrations were consistently above fish consumption advisories during the monitoring and are eaten extensively by the native peoples. The second goal of the monitoring program was to develop a baseline data set and the values tabled in the current paper are useful in establishing a foundation for future comparison.

Baseline studies in the Slave River, NWT, 1990–1994: Part III. MFO enzyme activity in fish

As part of the Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program, a background data set of baseline concentrations was collected for various environmental components including fish, water, bottom sediment, and suspended sediment. Fish collections included a serics of hepatic MFO analyses on walleye, northern pike, lake whitefish, and burbot. The EROD and AHH activity and P450 levels of fish, as well as weight, length, age, condition factor, and liver and gonadal somatic indices are described. Levels of EROD and AHH activity were of an order of magnitude expressed by the following relationship: walleye > northern pike > burbut > lake whitefish. Males consistently showed higher EROD, AHH activity and cytochrome P450 content relative to females of the same species even at control sites. Physical parameters varied very little within sites and exhibited some differences with the reference sites. A good MFO data set was collected for walleye and northern pike, but limited conclusions were possible with the lake whitefish and burbot data due to the overlap of sampling with the spawning season. Hepatic MFO enzyme activity indicated that some differences were evident in fish sampled from the Slave River relative to background/reference lakes; however, in many cases no differences were observed. Five years of biochemical effects studies have determined that the Slave River had low levels of induction suggesting a relatively pristine environment. This is further supported by the water, sediment, and body burden chemistry components of the Slave River Environmental Quality Monitoring Program.

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Data Enhancement Using Seismic Techniques

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) data from three sites are processed using seismic analysis techniques. Processing operations performed include: gain recovery, spiking deconvolution, bandpass filtering, velocity analysis, elevation and static corrections, NMO corrections, and f‐k migration. In the first example, we analyze 0.5 km lines of 50 MHz and 100 MHz, single‐fold data and a common receiver (CR) gather from the William River delta, Lake Athabasca, Saskatchewan. Next, a 100 MHz, single‐fold, 120 m line from the Slave River delta, Ft. Smith, N.W.T. is processed using the previous steps. Finally, 100 m of 100 MHz, single‐fold data (also with a CR gather) from Brigham City, Utah are analyzed. Filter bands chosen for the 50 MHz and 100 MHz data were 10/20–75/100 MHz and 20/30–150/180 MHz respectively. Velocity spectra for William River delta and Brigham City are based on CR gather velocity semblances and interpreted arrivals. Velocities range from 0.3 m/ns (air) to about 0.07 m/ns (wet sand). Dry sands at Brigham City result in radar velocities of 0.14 m/ns. High‐velocity surface statics (from drier sands of 0.125 m/ns) are corrected by interpreting shallow arrivals. The Slave River velocities of 0.06 m/ns suggest a sand with higher water saturation, lower porosity, or increased fine material. Application of seismic processing techniques improves the GPR sections considerably.

A review of off-flavour tainting of drinking water and fish by pulp mill effluents

Countries with major pulp and paper industries have experienced water or fish tainting episodes in the aquatic environment downstream from these discharges. Identification, control or prevention of such industry-specific odour events is not possible without a thorough understanding of the off-flavour compounds involved. A lengthy review of the available technical reports, government documents, books and periodical articles that document the current knowledge about water and fish tainting in the river basins of Northern Alberta has been published by Kenefick and Hrudey. The purpose of this full length review was to identify the incidence of or the potential for off-flavour tainting of fish and water by components discharged into the Peace, Athabasca, and Slave rivers from various sources. There is a relatively weak literature base directly related to taste and odour problems attributable to pulp mills in the Northern Alberta river basins. Consequently, discussions of other pulp mill related incidents of taste and odour problems throughout the world were also reviewed. There is little published information which addresses recent advances in pulping and bleaching technology and their effects on water and fish tainting. This paper provides an abbreviated version of the full review.

A review of off-flavour tainting of drinking water and fish by pulp mill effluents

Countries with major pulp and paper industries have experienced water or fish tainting episodes in the aquatic environment downstream from these discharges. Identification, control or prevention of such industry-specific odour events is not possible without a thorough understanding of the off-flavour compounds involved. A lengthy review of the available technical reports, government documents, books and periodical articles that document the current knowledge about water and fish tainting in the river basins of Northern Alberta has been published by Kenefick and Hrudey. The purpose of this full length review was to identify the incidence of or the potential for off-flavour tainting of fish and water by components discharged into the Peace, Athabasca. and Slave rivers from various sources. There is a relatively weak literature base directly related to taste and odour problems attributable to pulp mills in the Northern Alberta river basins. Consequently, discussions of other pulp mill related incidents of taste and odour problems throughout the world were also reviewed. There is little published information which addresses recent advances in pulping and bleaching technology and their effects on water and fish tainting. This paper provides an abbreviated version of the full review.

A Note on Historical Mortality in a Northern Bison Population

Mortality of bison in the area of what is now Wood Buffalo National Park was recorded in records of Fort Chipewyan for the years 1821, 1823, and 1831. There is oral tradition in the Fort Smith area that many bison died in the Slave River lowlands during one summer later in the 19th century. The records of sudden death among bison during the summer resemble features of anthrax mortality that occurred among bison in the same general area between 1962 and 1978. This suggests that anthrax may have a much longer history in the region than recognized previously.Key words: northern bison, disease, ethnohistory, anthrax

Geochemistry and Organic Contaminants in the Sediments of Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada

A study was carried out in the summer of 1987 to determine the geochemistry and distribution of trace elements, PCBs and 16 other chlorinated hydrocarbons in sediments from selected areas in Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada. Sediment cores were collected at three sampling stations in the west basin of the lake on a transect from the Slave River delta to the outlet of the Mackenzie River. The geotechnical composition of the sediments showed the deposition of similar material at all sampling stations. Sediment dating indicated a very high sedimentation rate (46.6 g/cm²/year) at a 110 m water depth in the vicinity of the Slave River delta and mixing of bottom sediments at the southwestern part of the lake. The concentrations of trace elements (Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, V, Pb and Zn) were uniform in all sediment profiles. However, surficial sediments were enriched by arsenic, Canadian standard CLB-1 containing 51 PCB congeners was used in the determination of PCBs in the sediment. Thirty-three PCB congeners were detected and their concentrations determined in selected sections of sediment cores. The most abundant congeners were 15 and 18, 44, 49, 52 and 101 (IUPAC numbering) with maximum concentrations 3.52, 2.68, 2.44, 6.20 and 2.44, 6.20 and 2.13 ng/g respectively. The concentration pattern of PCBs in Great Slave Lake sediments indicated considerably greater quantities of lower than higher chlorinated biphenyls. Several congeners, particularly those having 7-10 chlorine atoms, were determined in concentrations smaller than 0.20 ng/g only at one sediment depth. Hexachlorobutadiene, 1, 2, 3, 4-tetrachlorobenzene, pentachlorobenzene, alpha-HCH, hexachlorobenzene, pentachloroanisol and alpha-chlordane were present at all stations at different sediment depths. Maximum concentrations of the 16 chlorinated hydrocarbons analyzed in Great Slave Lake sediments were between 0.08 and 1.04 ng/g. The concentrations of PCBs and other chlorinated hydrocarbons were about two orders of magnitude lower than those in Lake Ontario sediments.Key words: Great Slave Lake, sediments, geochemistry, PCBs, chlorinated hydrocarbons

A Surviving Herd of Endangered Wood Bison at Hook Lake, N.W.T.?

Bison in the Hook Lake area of the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.) are classified and managed as low value, diseased, plains bison (Bison bison bison) x wood bison (B.b. athabascae) hybrids. Their classification is founded on the hypothesis of universal hybridization in Wood Buffalo National Park (WBNP) and surrounding areas. This hypothesis is not supported by the confirmed samples of relatively pure wood bison taken from the range of the northern population WBNP in 1963 and 1965. ... The probability of finding wood bison is greatest in the most remote and inaccessible Hook Lake area of the Slave River lowlands, where a small population survives after a prolonged population collapse. These animals may be at least partially descended from a relict population that predates WBNP. Historical, behavioural, morphometric, photographic and observational evidence is consistent with this hypothesis, but conclusive evidence from available taxonomic tests has not been collected. The current set of policy, legislation and international law empowers government to protect and manage the "endangered" wood bison but provides no protection for hybrids. Because of its current bio-political status, the Hook Lake herd is in imminent danger of extirpation from overharvesting, disease and overpredation or from deliberate depopulation to eradicate disease. If the Hook Lake bison are wood bison, the implications of a status change include: (1) the empowering of government to protect and manage the remaining herd; (2) the option to salvage and restore genetic diversity to the world population of wood bison; (3) alternatives that would greatly simplify future management strategies for free-roaming northern bison populations; and (4) a contribution to the international objective of removing the wood bison from danger of extinction.Key words: wildlife, bison, taxonomy, conservation

Slave River delta: geomorphology, sedimentology, and Holocene reconstruction

The Holocene Slave River delta (8300 km2) is a long (170 km), narrow (42 km average width) alluvial sand body, which extends north from the Slave River rapids at Fort Smith to Great Slave Lake, Northwest Territories. The delta is flanked by the Talston and Tethul rivers and Canadian Shield to the east and by the Little Buffalo River to the west. Wave-associated sedimentary structures in lithostratigraphic logs from river cutbanks indicate that the sandy delta was wave influenced. Most of the logs (34) consist of three facies: basal laminated mud (unknown thickness), interbedded mud and sand (2.5 m), and planar-tabular ripple sets interbedded with cross-laminated to flat-bedded sand (3.0–14.5 m).Eleven radiocarbon-dated wood samples from river cutbanks were used to reconstruct the delta paleoshoreface and to calculate the rate of progradation, which averaged 20.7 m/year from 8070 BP to the present. In the same period isostatic rebound of the delta region relative to the Liard River delta averaged 12 cm/km (a total rebound of 48 m). The data were calculated normal to the retreating Laurentide ice front.From the surface to depths of 59 m, the subaerial and subaqueous delta front exhibits barrier islands, lagoons, offshore bars or sand waves, tensional cracks, slumps and pressure ridges. The barriers and offshore bars consist of medium grain-sized sand, whereas the slumps and pressure ridges are interpreted as mud.

Hydraulic Impact of Flow Regulation on the Peace-Athabasca Delta

In 1976 two notched-section overflow weirs were installed in the Rivière des Rochers and Revillon Coupe channels in an effort to mitigate the adverse effects of Bennett Dam regulation on the Peace-Athabasca Delta. In 1983, the Peace-Athabasca Delta Implementation Committee requested that the Environment Canada 1-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Model be employed to assess the performance of the weirs for the period 1960 to the present. Because the Bennett Dam was not constructed until 1967 and the resulting Williston Reservoir was not filled until 1971, it was necessary to simulate Bennett Dam regulation for the period 1960 to 1971. The simulated Bennett Dam flows were routed to the Peace Point gauge which represents one of the upstream boundary conditions for the model. The computer simulations displayed by graphics in this paper indicate that the weirs have been effective in maintaining mean natural levels on Lake Athabasca and the delta lakes. However, simulated peak and observed peak levels for lakes Clair, Mamawi and Baril for the weirs in place and Bennett Dam regulation are about 0.3 m lower than the simulated and observed natural levels. This observation suggests that supplies are not being replenished as often in the perched basins under this modified regime with even the weirs in place. The same hydrodynamic model was used to simulate the upstream hydraulic effects resulting from installation of the proposed Slave River Dam located about 4 km downstream of Mountain Rapids with a constant headpond elevation of 206 m. The simulations indicate that the proposed dam is equal in effectiveness to the present weirs installed in the Delta in restoring natural levels in the delta lakes. However, higher winter levels occur in the upstream reaches of the Slave River which would seriously affect the wintering habitat of the bison herds.

To Great Slave and Great Bear: P.G. Downes's Journal of Travels North from Ile à la Crosse in 1938 [Part IV

The narrative of P.G. Downes's trip by canoe, boat, and plane from Ile à la Crosse to Great Bear and Great Slave lakes in 1938, in which he presents a detailed account of his feelings, thoughts, and experiences, as well as his observations on individual men and women, northern lore, and geographic characteristics of the region. The journal will appear as five installments in "Arctic".Key words: Ile à la Crosse, Lac La Loche, Swan Lake Portage, Clearwater River, Athabaska River, Slave River, Fort Smith, Great Slave Lake, Mackenzie River, Great Bear Lake, Eldorado, Cameron Bay, Yellowknife, Chipewyans, John Hornby, George M. Douglas, Paul "King" Beaulieu

Environmental Impact Assessment in Canada: The Slave River Project

In a previous article' the author discussed the concept of environmental impact assessment (ElA) and its general application in Alberta. Ambiguities in the legislative mandates of the Alberta Department of the Environment and the Energy Resources Conservation Board (ERCB) were exposed and doubt was expressed whether there was included in those mandates the consideration of, inter alia, social impacts. The intention in this article is to look at Alberta's and Canada's ElA processes in the context of the proposed Slave River project, which will require not only interdepartmental but interjurisdictional coordination. Following a description of the proposed project, the applicable Alberta legislation will be described. Federal environmental assessment and project approval processes will be described and doubt will be expressed that the Environmental Assessment Review Process as practiced enjoys full legal authority. Following all this, recommendations will be derived from both parts of this study.