Squamish residents have a lot to say about a proposed liquefied natural gas plant slated for Howe Sound. And council wants to hear it, says the District of Squamish's chief administrative officer.
The municipality is setting up a community consultation committee to probe concerns and questions regarding Woodfibre Natural Gas's plan for a processing and export plant on the former pulp mill site. The committee will consist of six members from the community that include business stakeholders, a district staff member and council member, Corien Speaker said. The group will provide direction to the LNG company and its recommendations will be handed to council, she said.
This is the second community committee created by the district, the first being the Branding Committee. The committees are not controlled by municipal staff or council, instead relying on the direction of the participants, Speaker said.
It seems to be a good model, she said, noting district staff are also considering the creation of a third community committee to deal with the Squamish Valley Music Festival.
Over the past few months, municipal hall has received more than 100 pieces of correspondence regarding the proposed LNG plant. Many of them voice concerns regarding impacts to air and water quality, Speaker said.
As the district did with its branding committee, staff will target businesses that have some kind of stake or concern regarding the export plant on the 89-hectare site. People from those key areas will then have to apply to be on the committee.
I think we will be looking for people that will be able to think objectively, Speaker said.
District officials are huddling with Woodfibre Natural Gas officials to iron out terms of reference for the committee. Speaker anticipates that process will take about nine weeks.
