Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement Highlights
The following is a summary of Syncrude's key consultation activities and actions taken as a result of our stakeholder engagement in 2007.
Fort McKay Elders Advisory Committee
The Fort McKay Elders Advisory Committee draws on the experience, wisdom, and guidance of Aboriginal Elders. In 2007, the group convened reclamation technical meetings that focused on reviews and discussions of a variety of land preservation and related issues. Continuing discussions will address such topics as the establishment of productive wetlands habitat, the impacts of emissions on forest health, and landscape design and treeplanting prescriptions. (See further discussion on this topic here.)
Environmental Group Consultation
Syncrude is a financial supporter and, along with many other community, government, non-profit, and industry organizations, a member of each the three main environmental groups in Wood Buffalo: the Cumulative Environmental Management Association, the Regional Aquatic Management Program, and the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association. Within the scope of their own mandates and areas of expertise, each of these groups assesses the actual and likely impact of oil sands operations on the environment. In doing so, they regularly consult and share information with both regulators and the public.
Budget Increase Allows Program Growth at WBEA
In December, the members of the Wood Buffalo Environmental Association endorsed a 2008 budget of $8.6 million for the group, a more than 50 percent increase from 2007. The WBEA is funded primarily by industry, and the additional funds will allow for an expansion of its air quality monitoring network from 14 to 15 stations and also an expansion of its passive sampling network from 25 to 35 sites. The WBEAa is launching a regional hotline that will allow regional stakeholders to post and listen to messages about air quality. The WBEA's Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring Program is being enhanced to allow for the monitoring of both short- and long-term effects on forest health. As well, a new system to measure temperature, rainfall, wind speed and concentration of air pollutants will allow researchers to determine whether any effects on forest health are caused by changes in soil chemistry due to pollution or by changes in climate. Visit www.wbea.org for more information about environmental monitoring.
Water Management Implementation Plan
In January 2007, Syncrude and eight other oil sands companies submitted an implementation plan to the federal and Alberta governments regarding the oil sands companies' participation in a detailed operational water management agreement. The work is being done by the Athabasca Rregional Issues Working Group Environment Committee under the auspices of the Water Management Framework for the Athabasca River. The framework, developed by Alberta Environment and the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, limits water withdrawals from the river during low flow periods. Companies will use their own initiative to achieve framework targets and will also work together on joint efforts to improve the management and efficiency of water use.
Regional Infrastructure Management And Funding
Syncrude was one among many organizations consulted in the preparation of an Alberta government report, Investing In Our Future: Responding to the Rapid Growth of Oil Sands Development. The report was issued during the last days of 2006. Through the Regional Issues Working Group, Syncrude also provided feedback on the report's recommendations.
In response to the report, the government announced (in February 2007) nearly $400 million in new infrastructure funding for Fort McMurray. Over three years, the funds will go toward water and wastewater treatment, affordable housing, health care, and other improvements. Additional funding announced subsequently resulted in transportation network upgrades, including the widening of parts of highway 881. Future projects - valued at more than $400 million - include the construction of major new interchanges on highway 63, school modernization, a new landfill, and RCMP detachment upgrades. Syncrude continues to collaborate with various provincial government departments on issues of importance to the local community.
Alberta Royalty Review
Early in 2007, the Alberta government initiated a review of the province's oil and gas royalty system, including conventional oil and gas, and oil sands. The intent of the review was to determine whether Albertans, as owners of the resources, are getting a fair share through royalties, taxes and fees. Syncrude provided its input to the review panel at a public session on June 4th and also provided written comment. In October 2007, the government announced a new royalty framework that will increase royalties from non-renewable energy by $1.4 billion per year, beginning in 2010. The government also announced that it would enter into discussions with Syncrude and another oil sands operator, which have separate Crown agreements that are in effect until 2016, to transition to the new oil sands royalty regime; the discussions with Syncrude and its owners are continuing. In 2007, Syncrude paid $1.3 billion in royalties to the provincial government.
