Offsetting tar sands destruction?

This report, commissioned by the Pembina Institute, proposes a "win/win" scenario for offsetting the tar sands projects.

In an effort to prevent irreversible decline of species and biodiversity in Alberta's Boreal Forest, industry can take important steps to offset their environmental impacts by setting aside or restoring areas of equal or greater value to the lands disturbed. So says a report, Catching Up: Conservation and Biodiversity Offsets in Alberta's Boreal Forest, released today.

Sounds good in theory. But once the tar sands are drained, what's to stop industry from moving over to the so-called protected areas? Or to put it another way, "Let us tap the oil sands and we promise to leave other areas alone. For now."