Squamish Nation has issued its conditions for the liquefied natural gas facility planned for construction in Howe Sound near Squamish – and they’re both tough and appropriate.
Many have been waiting with bated breath to hear what the Nation would have to say about the proposed Woodfibre LNG plant. While the public at large participated in the environmental assessment process for the plant, Squamish Nation was conducting its own assessment of the proposal.
On Saturday, after months of speculation, we heard the results of this assessment, and it was welcome news.
Nation lawyer Aaron Bruce stated through a news release that there are five key conditions. “Bottom line here is that Squamish Nation will simply not approve the Woodfibre LNG proposal unless all of these conditions are addressed and resolved – to the Squamish Nation’s satisfaction.”
Those conditions include the need for more information on the proposed plant’s seawater cooling system, including possible effects on marine life. The cooling system is a concern for many in Squamish, who worry about the effects of the warm, chlorinated water, the possibility of small fish being caught in the intake, and the effects of industry on the whales, dolphins, seals and herring.
The Nation is also concerned about the Skwelwil’em Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Woodfibre must commit to a drilled underground pipeline that starts outside of the WMA and exits outside the WMA – or avoids it altogether, the Nation said. Other conditions include relocating the FortisBC compressor station and allowing Nation members access for practice of aboriginal rights.
Perhaps the most significant Nation condition is insurance coverage or a bond to cover risks of personal loss or injury in the event of an accident that brings harm to Nation members such as a spill, explosion or other accident.
Squamish Nation is speaking for many, both inside and outside the First Nations community, in saying that the plant can be allowed only under these stringent conditions. In this often-emotional public discourse about liquefied natural gas, the Nation seems to be the voice of reason. We need to protect our environment, and they have laid out conditions that will go a long way to doing that.
– Editor Christine Endicott
