Media Contact: Don van Hout

"These people have all taken time out of their busy lives to share in this journey and give their time to help this river. I am tremendously thankful to each of them and humbled by their commitment to water...."

On connectingthedrops.ca, Don VanHout, Connecting the Drops expedition leader, has just posted his latest Water Logs documenting his interactions and experiences with people along the river. Don's words truly reflect the sentiments of many Albertans regarding the importance of protecting the Athabasca River from the runaway pace of oil sands development.

Compounding their concerns, the recommendations of the Oil Sands Multistakeholder Committee, released yesterday by the Government of Alberta, fail to address the main concerns of Albertans regarding the pace of development. And, so far, the Alberta government has no plan for protecting the Athabasca River and watershed from the impacts of oil sands development.

On August 3, The Mikisew Cree First Nation and environmental groups will hold a media conference together for the first time to express their concerns publicly. The groups will outline their recommendations for protecting the river.

Summary, News Conference and Related Events

Who: Expedition team arrives in Fort McMurray and is joined by the Mikisew Cree First Nation, community members and other environmental groups

What: Concerns about rapid oil sands development and recommendations for protecting the Athabasca River and watershed will be presented by the Pembina Institute with the public release of its white paper.

When: Friday August 3, 10:00 A.M. (mountain time)

Where: Meet at the far end of McDonald Island (on McDonald Drive) on the shores of the Athabasca River

There will also be opportunities to see first hand the extent of the social and environmental impact of oil sands development on the river and in the community of Fort McMurray by air. Please contact Danielle Droitsch by end of day Tuesday July 31 so your air tour can be arranged. All photos taken by air can be used without restriction. The expedition team will be pleased to also set up interviews with and representatives from the Mikisew Cree and other citizen-based organizations concerned about protection of the watershed.

On August 4 and 5, the flotilla will pass through the heart of oil sands development and will offer ample opportunities for interviews and photographs. If you are interested in joining the flotilla please contact Danielle Droitsch as soon as possible so boats can be arranged for you.

Danielle Droitsch, Expedition Media Coordinator
403-678-7964

Detailed Trip Itinerary and Related Details

August 3
Expedition arrives to Fort McMurray followed by news conference.  The news conference will occur at the far end of McDonald Island (on McDonald Drive) on the shores of the Athabasca River at 10:00 am on August 3, 2007.  The press conference will be attended by the Mikisew Cree as well as other local and regional citizen based organizations concerned about the protection of the watershed.  For a map of Fort McMurray go to:  www.fortmcmurraytourism.com.

August 4-5
Joined by a "flotilla" of canoes, the Athabasca River Expedition will launch from McDonald Island on the morning of August 4 and then begin a two day trip through the heart of the oilsands development.  They will arrive to Fort MacKay in the afternoon of August 5 welcomed by the Fort MacKay First Nation to celebrate the river.  The team will make a short presentation explaining how industry is affecting the river directly through water withdrawals and effluents and indirectly by contributing to climate change.

August 14
The Pembina Institute will celebrate the end of their Connecting the Drops Athabasca River Expedition in coordination with a rally organized by the First Nations communities of Fort Chipewyan. The event will highlight the health and environmental concerns they currently hold in their region.  Speakers at this event will include Dr. John O'Connor (Fort Chipewyan's only doctor and medical examiner), Dr. David Schindler (Killam Memorial Professor of Ecology at the University of Alberta <http://www.ualberta.ca/> ), Melanie Nakagawa (Natural Resources Defence Council), Don VanHout (Expedition Leader), and Dan Woynillowicz (Pembina Institute), as well as Chiefs and Elders from the community.

The expedition, a two-month canoeing, hiking and mountaineering expedition traversing the entire 1,538 kilometre length of the Athabasca River, is to raise awareness about threats to the river and its watershed. 

Stories, photographs and trip journal Water Logs are regularly broadcast on the expedition website, connectingthedrops.ca.