Environmental Capacity Assessment of the Muskeg River Environment and Protected Areas (EPA)

The project will assess the environmental capacity of the Muskeg River watershed for the release of non-process affected water and will consider releases from oil sands mining and aggregate extraction operations to the Muskeg River and associated tributaries. Non-process affected water streams under consideration include surface runoff, muskeg dewatering, aggregate dewatering, aquifer depressurization and other sources of water not associated with industrial processes and bitumen extraction. The project will consider past and present hydrological and water quality information for the Muskeg River and tributaries as well as the release rates and water quality of current industrial releases (included under EPEA approvals). This will be used in conjunction with other sources of input, such as ambient and community-based monitoring information, to inform the capacity assessment. The assessment will consider both potential effects to the hydrological integrity of the Muskeg River (and tributaries) and any effects to the water quality of the Muskeg River (and tributaries). The findings of the assessment with be shared with Indigenous communities, industry and others at the conclusion of the project.