Prince Rupert, BC, August 14th, 2013–Petronas, one of the energy giants planning to export LNG from BC, has chosen a site which requires a trestle across critical Skeena River estuary habitat.
Public notices of this project, called Pacific Northwest LNG, referred to a map of the site, on which the Skeena River was whited out.
Today West Coast Environmental Law, on behalf of T. Buck Suzuki Environmental Foundation, has sent a letter asking the CEAA to re-advertise the Pacific Northwest LNG project using a corrected map; one showing the Skeena River (see attached letter).
“The Skeena River is the second largest salmon river in Canada, with millions of sockeye and pinks and world renowned steelhead. The CEA has a duty to properly inform the public about a project which will put critical estuary eelgrass beds at risk.”- Luanne Roth
“The proposed site, Lelu Island, is adjacent to Flora Bank, which supports 50-60% of the Skeena Estuary’s eelgrass beds. A previous in-depth environmental assessment rejected this location for a terminal because a causeway would be required and that would be harmful to salmon habitat. One fisheries report describes Flora Bank as “critical salmon habitat”.” – Luanne Roth
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency website recently (August 8th) corrected the map on their website but only after several public participation periods had expired. The map with the Skeena whited out is still in the full project description on that website.
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Project description with incorrect map on page 56 Map listed as Figure 7:
www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/documents/p80032/86105E.pdf “Indian Reserves and Protected Areas in North Coast of BC”.
Corrected site location map: www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca/050/details-eng.cfm?evaluation=80032
The T. Buck Environmental Foundation has been working in BC for three decades with salmon habitat protection as the core of its mandate.
Contact: Luanne Roth 250 627 4201 rothL@citytel.net