Oil sands development threatens Lubicon Land
Friends of the Lubicon, a group advocating for Lubicon rights, report even more proposed oil development in Lubicon Traditional Territory. (For Lubicon background, please read the March 2005 Lubicon news.) In August 2004 the Province of Alberta issued oil sands exploration leases to Deep Well Oil and Gas, which now has a majority interest in leases covering more than 63 square miles inside Lubicon Traditional Territory. The company has announced plans to drill up to 512 wells on land that overlaps a one-mile buffer zone around the proposed Lubicon reserve. The Lubicon are concerned about how these wells and possible further development might affect fish and wildlife habitat as well as local surface and ground water supplies. Oil sands development has been linked to water depletion and contamination in other areas.
Friends of the Lubicon has organized a campaign to urge oil companies to act responsibly and not proceed with operations in Lubicon Traditional Territory without consultation and consent of the Lubicon people.
