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Alberta Tier 1 soil and groundwater remediation guidelines

Description

This document focuses on Tier 1 soil and groundwater remediation guidelines, the process used to develop them, and the manner in which they should be applied. Alberta's framework for the... More ≫

Description

This document focuses on Tier 1 soil and groundwater remediation guidelines, the process used to develop them, and the manner in which they should be applied. Alberta's framework for the management of contaminated sites is designed to achieve three policy outcomes: pollution prevention, health protection, and productive use. Under this framework, three management options are provided: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Exposure Control. Tier 1 remediation guidelines are generic; that is, they are developed to protect sites at the more sensitive end of the range and can therefore be used at most sites without modification.

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Population characteristics of grizzly and black bears in west central Alberta

Description

This study investigated the population ecology of grizzly bears in the boreal upland ecoregion in the Berland and Little Smoky rivers area in west central Alberta. Specific objectives of the study... More ≫

Description

This study investigated the population ecology of grizzly bears in the boreal upland ecoregion in the Berland and Little Smoky rivers area in west central Alberta. Specific objectives of the study were to determine the size, density, productivity and stability of this grizzly bear population. Because grizzly bears occurred sympatrically with black bears, the study also obtained data on the population characteristics of black bears.

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The general status of Alberta wild species

Description

The 2000 edition of the General Status of Alberta Wild Species represents a substantial improvement in the knowledge base of wild species in Alberta. Preliminary status assessments were prepared... More ≫

Description

The 2000 edition of the General Status of Alberta Wild Species represents a substantial improvement in the knowledge base of wild species in Alberta. Preliminary status assessments were prepared for 4 735 species of birds, mammals, herpetiles (amphibians and reptiles), freshwater fish, molluscs (gastropods and bivalves), odonates (dragonflies and damselflies), lepidopterans (butterflies and skippers), vascular plants, nonvascular plants and fungi in Alberta. Of these groups, Alberta, along with all other provinces and territories, agreed to report on eight to Environment Canada so that a national evaluation could be undertaken (see Background of the Present General Status Evaluation Exercise). These groups included the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, butterflies, orchids and ferns. The status of species in these categories is provided here.

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Physical mixing patterns of water and contaminants in the North Saskatchewan River

Description

A ten day field campaign was carried out on North Saskatchewan River to study the physical mixing with the ambient river water of effluent from the Goldbar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP),... More ≫

Description

A ten day field campaign was carried out on North Saskatchewan River to study the physical mixing with the ambient river water of effluent from the Goldbar Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), Capital Region WWTP and Agrium Redwater operations. In this report we present rhodamine concentrations, depth averaged water velocities, and flow depths across surveyed sections in reaches downstream of each plant. The objectives of the study were twofold. The primary objective was to determine the downstream distance required to achieve full mixing of the effluent. Full mixing was defined as the location where tracer concentration was uniform across the section. The second objective was to measure spatially distributed tracer concentration and water velocity in the mixing zone, such that dispersion patterns could be determined.

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Occurrence and prevalence of chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in amphibian species of Alberta

Description

Infectious diseases are one of a suite of factors implicated in the declines and extinctions of amphibians worldwide. One such disease, chytridiomycosis, is caused by the chytrid fungus... More ≫

Description

Infectious diseases are one of a suite of factors implicated in the declines and extinctions of amphibians worldwide. One such disease, chytridiomycosis, is caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Chytrid fungus was discovered in Alberta in 1999 from necropsies of several specimens of boreal toads and northern leopard frogs collected near Caroline. In late 2006, a pilot-study was conducted to determine whether Bd was present at northern leopard frog sites in southern Alberta. The detection of Bd at multiple sites, and in a provincially Threatened species, led to the expansion of Bd surveillance to other areas of the province, and to other amphibian species between 2007 and 2010. The results, reported in this study, provide a base-line for the occurrence and prevalence of Bd in Alberta. This information is required for the effective conservation and management of a broad suite of amphibian species, many of which are of high conservation concern in Alberta.

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Synthesis of recent knowledge on water quality, sediment quality and non-fish biota in the North Saskatchewan River with special emphasis on the Industrial Heartland-Capital Region Water Management Framework reach

Description

The main objective of this report is to provide a succinct overview of the technical studies conducted in support of the Water Management Framework for the Industrial Heartland-Capital Region... More ≫

Description

The main objective of this report is to provide a succinct overview of the technical studies conducted in support of the Water Management Framework for the Industrial Heartland-Capital Region (IH-CR). The IH-CR supports a population of over one million people and a large segment of Alberta’s resource processing heavy industry, and the region is expected to continue to experience industrial and population growth. Unless this growth is managed carefully, cumulative impacts on the river from point and non-point source loading of contaminants could lead to the deterioration of water quality and aquatic ecosystem health. The Water Management Framework for the IH-CR focuses on the management of current and future municipal and industrial impacts.

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Looking back and moving forward : three years of working well : pilot program report 2008-2011

Description

Over the past three years, the Working Well pilot program has delivered community-based workshops, information resources and community outreach to private water well owners. These program elements... More ≫

Description

Over the past three years, the Working Well pilot program has delivered community-based workshops, information resources and community outreach to private water well owners. These program elements have ranged in audience reach and scale, some in local communities (workshops) and others being province-wide (information resources).

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Muskeg River watershed management framework second annual report

Description

In 2008, Alberta Environment adopted a management framework for the Muskeg River watershed. The management framework defines criteria for evaluation of water quantity and water quality in the... More ≫

Description

In 2008, Alberta Environment adopted a management framework for the Muskeg River watershed. The management framework defines criteria for evaluation of water quantity and water quality in the Muskeg River watershed. Observed conditions are compared against scientifically established limits that have been developed specifically for the Muskeg River Watershed. These limits are based on data collected within the watershed, as well as more broad information on streamflow, water quality and requirements of the aquatic ecosystem. One of the key recommendations of the management framework was the development of an integrated monitoring program for the Muskeg River watershed to coordinate offlease monitoring activities that are currently conducted by individual companies and Alberta Environment. The main purpose of the integrated monitoring plan is to support the recommendations of the management framework which specify targets and limits for water quality and water quantity. This report...

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Quantification protocol for direct reductions in greenhouse gas emissions arising from changes in forest harvesting practices. Version 1.0

Description

This quantification protocol describes the process for quantifying annual greenhouse gas emission reductions/removals arising from a change in forest harvesting practice from full tree harvesting... More ≫

Description

This quantification protocol describes the process for quantifying annual greenhouse gas emission reductions/removals arising from a change in forest harvesting practice from full tree harvesting with tree length hauling and chipping in a wood room at the mill to chipping using portable chippers.

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Quantification protocol for reducing the age at harvest of beef cattle. Version 2.0

Description

This protocol quantifies decreases in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the raising of beef cattle by reducing the number of days required to get a feeder calf from birth to harvest. This... More ≫

Description

This protocol quantifies decreases in greenhouse gas emissions associated with the raising of beef cattle by reducing the number of days required to get a feeder calf from birth to harvest. This applies to youthful cattle, or those cattle under 24 months of age. In this context, feeder cattle that spend less time in backgrounding lots, on pasture and in the feedlot result in decreased greenhouse gas emissions. Withdrawn as of March 31, 2020.

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