After reading the June 22 letter regarding protecting herring habitat, I would like to assure your readers that Woodfibre LNG Ltd. is committed to being a good steward of the environment, and that includes taking measures to help create and protect habitat for marine life in the foreshore of our project site – as well as support the rehabilitation of Howe Sound.
Thousands of truckloads of contaminated sediment and woodchips have already been removed from the foreshore of the site. If our project goes ahead, about 3,000 creosote coated piles will be removed from the foreshore, and a green zone will be created around Mill Creek, which runs through the middle of the project site, all with the goal of improving habitat for freshwater and marine fish including herring.
Our proposed seawater cooling system is being designed to minimize the effects on the marine environment. Woodfibre LNG undertook additional herring spawn surveys using scuba divers between February and late April of this year to better understand when and where herring spawn so that we are better able to protect them. According to Fisheries and Oceans Canada, based on the proposed location of our seawater intake, herring spawning locations (including 2015 survey results) and the anticipated herring larvae movement, the seawater cooling intake is unlikely to impact the herring population. To be absolutely sure of this, we’ve already committed to further study and environmental monitoring programs.
We are committed to building a project that is right for Squamish and right for the region – and that includes acting on local priorities like the rehabilitation of Howe Sound.
John French
Manager, Community Relations
Woodfibre LNG Ltd.
