Environment Stewardship Network
The First Nations Alberta Environmental Stewardship Network (ESN) consists of a group of concerned individuals from Band administration staff, Council members, Indian Affairs and First Nation's in general. As members of the network we do not represent who we work for, we come together to share experiences, discuss issues and find solutions for environment related problems that exist on Reserve lands in Alberta.
The ESN was established to address environmental issues on Reserve lands. These include the promotion of the environmental stewardship of reserves and traditional lands, the protection of communities from harmful environmental exposures, involvement in future land planning issues, the pursuit of co-management and resource protection, and the addressing of immediate environmental issues such as health hazards created by changes in the regional or global scale.
The purpose of ESN is to develop an understanding of the relationships between a variety of environmental issues for the sustainability and stewardship of First Nation community lands and to coordinate efforts to build on the collective strengths of communities, organizations and agencies.
ESN's mission is to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable development, and to work towards the preservation and protection of the environment within Alberta First Nation's communities.
Focuses of the ESN
Watershed Protection: Water is one of the most important components of life and the environment. With increasing demands and worsening drought conditions in many parts of the work, water is fast becoming a valuable resource. Yet, water can easily be impacted by human activities.
Having clean water is a priority of First Nations. The availability of clean water is becoming an issue on reserve. Most First Nation communities do not have water provided from municipal treatment facilities. Instead, water is treated on reserve or drawn from wells for residential use. Many First Nation communities have been on boil water advisories; these situations can be avoided through improved water treatment methods, capacity development on reserve, and protection of water source.
Protection of water at the source can be as important as proper water treatment practices. Water coming from a clean source is much easier and cheaper to treat then previously impacted/contaminated water. First Nation communities can protect their water resources through implementation of environmental management/protection plans. These plans would address, but not be limited to, the following:
- Environmental impact assessment
- Community land use planning
- Biophysical survey/inventories
- Monitoring and follow-up programs
- Capacity development and awareness for Chief and Council, band administration and community members
- Developing environmental policies and procedures
- Consultation with community members, experts from government departments such as Health Canada
Biophysical Survey: Members of ESN have identified an information gap with regards to the biophysical components of reserve lands. Because baseline information on reserve lands and their resources would be very useful in helping First Nations plan and implement land use strategies, ESN is currently developing a Biological Survey that aims at gathering information on 3 aspects of reserve lands:
- Current improvements and disturbances on reserve
- Traditional land uses and other heritage resources
- Biophysical resources available or potentially available
Waste Management Planning: Well developed waste management plans are essential for the protection of First Nation communities and the land on which they live. ESN takes an active role in helping First Nation communities develop sustainable waste management plans that adequately address the following elements:
- Community population and project growth
- Community's current waste characteristics and volume
- Community's current and proposed solid waste collection system
- The hiring and training of any required operations staff
- Consideration of all available waste management alternatives
Fuel Storage Strategy: Because aboveground and underground storage tanks can create environmental hazards with serious consequences, ESN is currently developing communication and awareness-raising strategies to promote proper fuel storage tanks maintenance among First Nation communities. For example:
- We educate First Nation stakeholders to ensure that all specifications outlined in the "Registration of Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products on Federal Lands Regulations" are followed.
- We work with treaty area Environment Officers to make sure that application and tank inventory forms are available.
- We education First Nation stakeholders on the consequences of improper fuel storage tanks maintenance (which include, but not limited to, the contamination of drinking water, explosions and destruction of homes, and possible fines to the Ministry of Environment Canada).
For environment information, to report an environmental incident, or for general inquiries
regarding the network and environmental stewardship on reserve please e-mail abenviro@inac.gc.ca
at INAC or e-mail or telephone Denise Hammel at 780-483-8601.
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