Carrier Sekani question review of gas pipeline
Written by GORDON HOEKSTRA
Citizen staff
Tuesday, 01 July 2008
The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council says a provincial review that gave a $1.1 billion natural gas pipeline project between Summit Lake and Kitimat the green light is inadequate, although it was expected.
The project -- a joint venture between Pacific Northern Gas and Kitimat LNG -- received an environmental assessment certificate last Friday after a review by the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office.
The tribal council, which represents eight bands west of Prince George, is pushing for a First Nations-led review that addresses aboriginal issues on rights and title, and where all First Nations with traditional territory along the pipeline route could participate.
That review -- to take First Nations through the process from start to finish -- is estimated to cost $2.7 million, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council chief David Luggi said Monday.
Luggi, who didn't want to go into details, said the tribal council is in discussions with the provincial government over the First Nations-led review. "It's being considered," asserted Luggi. "Will it happen soon? That's unlikely," he added.
Prince George North MLA Pat Bell confirmed that discussions were taking place between the province and the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, but would not say exactly what. "I think it's fair to say that the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council is taking a leadership role in northern B.C. on the pipeline discussion," said Bell, who was recently appointed forests minister.
Bell, who had been agriculture and lands minister, was involved in several land-use agreements with First Nations.
Luggi noted that the First Nations' position had been presented to both levels of government.
The project still needs approval from the federal government, which decided last month the project needed a comprehensive study. Luggi said their position is that the federal review is also inadequate.
The province has said its environmental assessment certificate contains commitments the companies must implement during the project. Those include assessing soil erosion and implementing adequate controls and mitigating the potential loss of stream habitat for fish.
The companies must also monitor water quality in the Morice River area near Houston and develop a plan to manage discharge water quality , temperature and withdrawal volumes.
The idea behind the pipeline project is to bring natural gas from overseas to Kitimat -- liquefying the natural gas by super cooling it and transporting it on specially-built ships. At Kitimat, the liquid would be turned back into gas and sent along the pipeline.
The project will create construction jobs but no new permanent jobs, as Pacific Northern Gas already operates a natural gas pipeline between Prince Rupert and Summit Lake.
While the Pacific Trail Pipeline route will follow the existing Pacific Northern Gas pipeline between Summit Lake, just north of Prince George, and Endako, west of Fraser Lake, from there the pipeline will take a new, more southern route to Kitimat.
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20080701138757/local/news/carrier-sek...
