Federal, provincial environment ministers look at new oilsands monitoring sites

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – The federal and Alberta environment ministers are getting a first-hand look at oilsands monitoring sites around Fort McMurray.

Peter Kent and provincial counterpart Diana McQueen are touring two sites being built in response to demands for better environmental oversight in the oilsands region.

Several dozen new sites are being added to better keep track of what impact industry development is having on the air, land and water.

A plan for how monitoring will be governed, how much independence it will have and who will fund the work is expected to be released in the next few weeks.

There are already scientists in place setting up new sites.