Squamish Nation demands greater say in Woodfibre LNG project

Despite the recent announcement that the Woodfibre LNG (WFLNG) project had received an Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) from the British Columbia (B.C.) Environmental Assessment Office, Squamish Nation has not had its final say.

Squamish Nation has now released a statement, which says the group is aiming to extend discussions with the provincial government on a “government-to-government basis”. In particular, Chief Ian Campbell – the spokesperson for Squamish Nation – argues that many of the group’s conditions are not the same as those in the provincial certificate and the Nation’s conditions specifically address them. He added that, as part of the Squamish Nation EA agreement, the group is able to make the proponent accountable.

Campbell said: “Although the province has considered our conditions for WFLNG, it has not yet come to agreement with the Nation on the conditions the province is responsible for. This is a condition of the WFLNG approval.

“It is critical to note also that the provincial EA process did not assess the impacts of the project on SN’s aboriginal rights and title – this was done under our independent environmental assessment process (Squamish Process). The province still has to consult with, and accommodate, the Nation with regard to its rights and title.”

Campbell added that, as part of the EA agreement, Squamish Nation has the right to significant decision making, including which cooling technology is used, management plan approval, and the enforcement of compliance through Squamish Nation monitoring.

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquefaction/29102015/squamish-nation-demands-greater-say-in-woodfibre-lng-project-1549/