Funding of $200,000 per year will be provided to the ACA over 10 years to acquire hectares of boreal forest as conservation offsets through ACA’s Corporate Partners in Conservation Program. The intention of the agreement is to partially offset the impacts of land clearing for AOSP Expansion 1. In addition, a portion of the AOSP’s future tree planting activities with Tree Canada will align with lands purchased by the ACA. “The AOSP is committed to developing our oil sands business in a responsible and sustainable manner, and this includes identifying opportunities to manage the environmental impacts of our operations,” said David Collyer, Shell Canada Vice-President Sustainable Development, Oil Sands. “While we have plans to manage our footprint, such as phased reclamation, we are also looking to initiatives, such as conservation offsets in the boreal forest, to help mitigate, and partially offset, land and habitat disturbances resulting from our expansion.” “The AOSP partnership is extremely significant,” says Todd Zimmerling, President and CEO of ACA. “This is a voluntary commitment to make a difference by ensuring ecologically significant parcels of boreal habitat are secured and available for future generations.” “The Corporate Partners in Conservation Program is becoming recognized by other oil and gas companies in Alberta and as a result ACA is setting the stage both provincially and nationally as a leader in conservation offsets.” The Athabasca Oil Sands Project is a joint venture among Shell Canada (60%), Marathon Oil Sands L.P. (20%) and Chevron Canada (20%). For more information, contact: Lisa Monsees Manager, Corporate Communications Alberta Conservation Association (780) 410-1994 Cherine Badwi Communications Representative, Oil Sands Shell Canada (403) 384-5362
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