Clearwater River Eyed for Oil Project

Clearwater River Eyed for Oil Project

Monday, April 12, 2010 at 14:29

The Clearwater River in northern Saskatchewan is being eyed as a possible water source for an Alberta oil sands project.

That has environmentalists up in arms – saying the Clearwater River is one of Canada’s leading rivers because it is so remote and pristine.

According to a Calgary Herald report, the Long Lake oil sands project hopes to tap up to 17,000 cubic metres per day from the river because its original plan to use no surface water and just steam is not working out.

The water project is expected to cost between $75 and $100 million and would involve building a 35-kilometre pipeline to the river before it flows into the Athabasca River at Fort McMurray.

Environmentalists warn if a river like the Clearwater is not given the best protection possible, there is no hope for less pristine areas.