An arm’s-length, sustainably funded monitoring commission, a publicly-accessible system for monitoring data and reporting, and increased Aboriginal input into the monitoring system design are among the 20 recommendations of a 12-member panel struck to help advance environmental monitoring in Alberta.
The recommended monitoring commission would be responsible for the strategic direction, scientific focus and ongoing operation of a proposed environmental monitoring system.
It would act as a science-driven, independent organization with internationally recognized experts to design and maintain the system, beginning in the Lower Athabasca Region.
The panel recommended that the so-called Alberta Environmental Monitoring Commission:
a. Be responsible for field monitoring, data evaluation and reporting of environmental conditions, including baseline monitoring and effects monitoring for all regions of Alberta;
b. Be responsible for all aspects of environmental effects monitoring, whether field activities are conducted directly by the commission or by other entities acting for the commission. The quality and efficiency of all monitoring programs would be the responsibility of the commission;
c. Where appropriate, assume direct responsibility and accountability for regional effects monitoring programs currently carried out by industry or by stakeholder organizations; and,
d. Have access to all compliance monitoring data as input to its evaluation and reporting activities. The commission could provide technical and scientific advice and assistance to government and regulators regarding the design and operations of compliance monitoring activities. However, the commission would not be responsible for compliance enforcement.
The panel placed emphasis on the importance of Alberta’s leadership role when working with federal counterparts to ensure there is no duplication of effort as it relates to monitoring activities. Read More
