| HISTORY/BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: | Dates of Founding and/or Dissolution:
The Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program was established through an agreement between the Alberta and Canada Departments of the Environment, dated February 26, 1975.
Functional Responsibility:
The Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program was intended as a ten-year multi-disciplinary research program, involving scientific research expertise from the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, Alberta universities and private industry. The program's mandate was to investigate the possible effects of development in the Athabasca Oil Sands upon the renewable resources of the natural environment.
Effective April 1, 1979, the Federal Government announced it was withdrawing its 50% share of funding to the project. Alberta Environment continued to support the project to the conclusion of the five-year period.
Predecessor and Successor Bodies:
In April 1980, the Research Management Division of the Department of the Environment was formed, combining the Research Secretariat and the Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Research Program. The new division combined the roles and functions of its two predecessors.
Administrative Relationships:
The Steering Committee reported to the Alberta and Canada Ministers of the Environment. When the Research Management Division was formed, the Division became part of the Environmental Protection Services within the Department of the Environment.
Administrative Structure:
The two-member Steering Committee was appointed by the Ministers of Environment for Alberta and Canada. This Committee had the responsibility for the composition, coordination and conduct of the program. The Steering Committee was helped by the Advisory Committee on Program Coordination. Eight Technical Research Committees were outlined in the agreement and were to be composed of technical experts from government, industry and universities, with expertise relevant to the Committee subject matter. The Technical Research Committees outlined were: Aquatic Fauna, Human Environment, Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Land Use, Meteorology and Air Quality, Terrestrial Fauna and Vegetation.
Names of Directors:
Milt G. Pahl 1976-1977
Dr. S.B. Smith 1977-1981
Dr. J Shah 1981-1987
Dr. H. P Sims 1988
|