Natives push moratorium on Shell methane project
The Canadian Press
September 13, 2008
Prince Rupert -- Support is growing for a moratorium on drilling in an area called the Sacred Headwaters, say opponents of a coal-bed methane project near the Nass River in northern British Columbia.
More than 150 people attended an information meeting in New Aiyansh this week to discuss the project proposed by Shell Canada.
In 2004, Shell Canada was awarded a 400,000-hectare tenure for coal-bed methane development in the area, also known as the Klappan.
The area is considered a vital watershed that feeds into three rivers in northwestern B.C. - the Skeena, Nass and Stikine. The Nass and the Stikine empty out in the Hecate Strait near Prince Rupert.
Opponents fear drilling could contaminate groundwater and the marine environment.
The Nisga'a Nation held the event to discuss the company's decision to place a voluntary one-year moratorium on drilling in the Sacred Headwaters area.
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