Study: ASRD, Fish and Wildlife Division leads the way in this project aimed at identifying the effect of coal mining activities (land clearing, coal mine runoff) on aquatic biota.

Objective: Sampling of water, fish and other aquatic biota in surface waters affected by coal mining activities in order to gather baseline data and define ecosystem impacts.

Other Parties Involved: Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Coal Mines

Northern Rivers Ecosystem Initiative:

Study: Environment Canada and the Northwest Territories partner with Alberta to deliver the NREI, which provide the scientific and policy responses to the recommendations of the Northern River Basins Study.

Objective: The main goal of NREI is to effectively implement the recommendations of the Northern River Basins Study "Final Report to the Ministers" within a five-year time frame. The goal of the NRBS was to provide an understanding of the impacts of developments on the northern river aquatic ecosystems.

Other Parties Involved: Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

The Oil Sands Regional Aquatic Monitoring Program (RAMP):

Study: An industry-funded long term monitoring program focusing on aquatic systems potentially affected by development activities in the oil sands area.

Objective: A comprehensive investigation into the potential effects of oilsands development activities on aquatic systems in the Athabasca, Steepbank and Muskeg rivers, other tributaries to the Athabasca, wetlands occurring near current and proposed oil sands developments, and acid-sensitive lakes in northeastern Alberta. Monitoring of water quality, sediment quality, benthic invertebrates, fish and wetlands vegetation has occurred.

Other Parties Involved: Multistakeholder (provincial/federal government, industry, non-government organizations, residents)