Syncrude guilty in death of 1,600 ducks

[Electric Monk]

Source: CTV

The Canadian Press
Date: Friday Jun. 25, 2010 3:58 PM ET

EDMONTON — Syncrude Canada has been found guilty under wildlife laws of causing the death of 1,600 ducks in a tailings pond at its oilsands mine in northern Alberta.

Images of tar-fouled and suffering ducks flashed around the world in April 2008 and became a focal point for oilsands critics.

Court heard that Syncrude was poorly equipped and understaffed in its efforts to keep migrating birds out of its toxic waste-water pond.

Syncrude's lawyer argued the company was following the rules and that holding the company responsible would unfairly restrict one of Alberta's most important industries.

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20100625/oilsands-syncrude-100625/

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Breaking now, details to follow.

[jody]

1. Hope punitive damages will be spent on protecting duck nesting habitat. n/t

[Electric Monk]

2. Syncrude guilty in Alberta duck deaths - CBC

Syncrude was charged under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act with failing to protect migratory birds from a toxic tailings pond.

Provincial court Judge Ken Tjosvold found Syncrude guilty on both counts but did not enter convictions.

Legal arguments will take place later this summer about whether convictions should be entered on both counts because the charges are similar in nature.



Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/06/25/edmonton-syncrude-duck-trial-verdict-expected.html

90 reader comments so far and counting

[The Stranger]

3. I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.

I speak for the trees, for the trees have no tongues.

[madrchsod]

4. the oil sands is an environmental disaster that is`t reported but....

could be on the level of the gulf.