The waters of Howe Sound rippled this week with boat traffic to the site of a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant.
On Monday (Jan. 27), Woodfibre Natural Gas vice president Byng Giraud and spokesperson Marian Ngo hosted tours to the former pulp mill facility. While members of the Squamish Historical Society and the Sea to Sky Forestry Society were looking to the past listing items they felt might have historic value Giraud was focused on the future.
Most of the 89-hectare site will be cleaned up, he said. The northern portion of the site the port facility, with massing along the shore, Giraud noted.
Proponents have met with officials from the Sea to Sky Gondola to talk about site views, he said. The export port will be visible from the gondola's summit and Britannia Beach, he said.
If the project goes ahead, three to four ships a month will visit the facility, Giraud said.
They will have escort vessels the entire way, he noted.
Woodfibre Natural Gas officials and Squamish Terminals have discussed resource synergies, Ngo said. They are creating a list of priorities to feed into the District of Squamish's marine management plans, she noted.
Over the next month, the company will focus on community consultation, Giraud said. On Feb. 4 and Feb. 6, Woodfibre LNG is hosting small group meetings that require RSVPs in Squamish. The company will do the same in Britannia Beach on Feb. 12. To get your name on the list, email [email protected] or call 1-888-801-7929.
Officials are hosting two open houses in Squamish on Wednesday (Feb. 5) from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Howe Sound Inn and Brew Pub and on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Executive Suites Hotel and Resort.
The meetings are the public's opportunity to help shape the project, Giraud said. He wants to hear residents' thoughts on a hydro-run facility, access to backcountry and visual impact. The proponents will address concerns regarding air population and noise, he said, noting that as with any development, there will be impacts, but officials aim to mitigate them as best they can.
We want to hear about this, Giraud said.
