Experts begin work on designing improved provincial environmental monitoring system

Alberta Environment and Water - March 13th

The Government of Alberta has named a group of experts to provide detailed advice on establishing a province-wide comprehensive environmental monitoring system.

“Our goal is to build a world-class, science-based monitoring system,” said Diana McQueen, Minister of Environment and Water. “This team of scientific, regulatory and academic experts will review governance and funding options and provide recommendations to the government so that we continue making progress.”

The working group will focus on developing an implementation plan based on previous recommendations from the Alberta Environmental Monitoring Panel: establishing a system with appropriate transparency and scientific oversight to carry out environmental monitoring, evaluation, and reporting functions; and providing a dedicated, stable revenue stream to fund monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities across the province.

“Although the Alberta government set aside $11 million in Budget 2012 for monitoring, the estimated cost for a cumulative effects monitoring system is significantly higher,” added McQueen. “The working group will consider what structures need to be in place to ensure a dedicated revenue stream and they will look at the number of organizations that currently play a role in environmental monitoring and consider the best ways to integrate and further this work.” ... Click here for more