[separator headline=”h2″ title=”Environmental Coalition Releases Video of Suffield Wildlife Area Days Before Hearings”]

Calgary (October 2, 2008) – The high-profile hearing for EnCana’s application for a large shallow gas project in the Suffield National Wildlife Area (NWA) will begin in Calgary on Monday, October 6.

Today the Suffield Coalition – seven conservation groups opposing the application – launched a three-minute video highlighting EnCana’s poor environmental record in the area and pointing to the danger to Suffield’s rare grassland ecosystem.

“Most Canadians will never see this unique landscape or the many species that depend on it. We hope these images will alert people across the country to the risk of losing it,” says Sandra Foss, past-president of the Federation of Alberta Naturalists.

At the hearing, the coalition will speak to a variety of concerns about this project. “Our submission covers a broad range of topics, from the absence of a management plan for Suffield, to the economic risks, to the significant environmental impacts of this proposal,” says Cliff Wallis of Alberta Wilderness Association.

Anyone can attend the hearing and anyone can present to the Joint Review Panel, time permitting. The details are as follows:

[separator headline=”h3″ title=”Calgary”]

Energy Resources Conservation Board
Govier Hall, 640 – 5th Avenue SW

Formal proceedings
• October 6 to 10, 2008 / 08:30
• October 14, 2008 / 14:00
• October 15 to 17, 2008 / 08:30
• October 22 to 24, 2008 / 08:30

Informal proceedings
• October 18, 2008 (Saturday)
09:00 to 12:00 & 13:30 to 16:30

[separator headline=”h3″ title=”Medicine Hat”]

Medicine Hat Lodge Saamis D Room, 1051 Ross Glen Drive SE

Informal proceedings
• October 20, 2008 (Monday)
13:00 to 17:00 and 19:00 to 22:00

[separator headline=”h2″ title=”For more information:”]

Cliff Wallis, Alberta Wilderness Association: 403-607-1970
Sandra Foss, President, Federation of Alberta Naturalists: 403-932-2947,
Carla Sbert, Nature Canada: 613 562-3447 ext. 222

-30-