Wet'suwet'en News
INFORMATION CLARIFICATION AROUND THE PROPOSED NORTHERN GATEWAY PIPELINE
February 14, 2011
By: Mike Ridsdale – E.A. Coordinator
In efforts to ensure the Wet’suwet’en Nation is receiving factual information, we are releasing this notice.
The Office of the Wet’suwet’en (OW) on behalf of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs have re-affirmed their declaration of “No Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline on Wet’suwet’en Territory” despite what people may say, we are standing firm.
Background and summary of project status:
The Gateway Project consists of two parallel pipelines of approximately 1150 km in length to be built between a terminal near Edmonton, Alberta and a marine terminal near Kitamaat, B.C. One pipeline would carry imported condensate from Kitamaat to Edmonton for use in the production of bitumen from oil sands projects in northern Alberta. The other pipeline would carry oil sands product to the Kitamaat marine terminal for transportation by tankers to overseas markets. The project, for environmental assessment purposes, incorporates the pipelines, terminal facility at Kitamaat, and a separate Termpol review for marine transport of both the imported and exported products.
The OW’s primary concern with the Gateway Project is that it proposes to construct both pipelines on a right of way through 175 kms of Wet’suwet’en territory, which is a highly sensitive ecosystem that contains important fisheries of central importance to the Wet’suwet’en.
This proposed project not only threatens the way of life and culture of the Wet’suwet’en, oil sands activities are currently creating health problems for First Nations in northern Alberta.
Consequently, the Gateway Project has triggered the requirement to prepare a Federal Environmental Assessment (“EA”) pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (“CEAA”). The NEB (National Energy Board), DFO (Department of Fisheries & Ocean), Transport Canada (TC) and INAC are known as “responsible authorities” under CEAA. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the “Agency”) is tasked with, among other things, assisting in the conduct of EAs and cooperation between responsible authorities.
The Office of the Wet’suwet’en has a consultation process, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) has had discussions towards a broad spectrum of proposed activities and general considerations of aboriginal interests within potentially affected areas of the Wet’suwet’en. Wet’suwet’en Nation’s response from these discussions will guide the level and scope of subsequent consultation processes.
We are gravely concerned about the status of our territories since there is industry trying to impose their mandate and projects over our rights and title. As First Nations who have had our aboriginal rights infringed upon time after time, we must ensure that it is incumbent upon the Government to continue to work with us to create projects that are environmentally sound and not step on our rights as First Nations.
Recently, the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, undertook an All Clans Meetings and requested the membership involve themselves into creating a stance for the Wet’suwet’en on these types of projects; our good work will be threatened by the proposed Enbridge Pipeline on Wet’suwet’en territory.
Another key related issue is; we have no agreement with Industry concerning the Environmental Assessment process on a communications protocol. There has been inadequate consultation and recognition regarding the Joint Review Panel (JRP) process towards the project for all First Nations; we are not alone in seeking proceedings that hears our concerns.
The JRP has developed and received input on a list of issues to be addressed in the EA; recently, they requested the proponent to provide more information; in particular, require the proponent to provide information on communications with Aboriginal peoples; conduct spill assessment reports; consider and take into account input it receives; and a host of other requirements in the Panel Session Results and Decision document submitted to NEB and the Proponent. This can be viewed on-line at http://gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/hm-eng.html.
Limited funding to support Aboriginal participation in the EA process is being provided through a Funding Review Committee of which we are a part of. We request that Wet’suwet’en members voice themselves and become interveners during the request for Intervenor status for the JRP hearings, involve yourselves into the process and become part of history as we work together to stop this project.
This would help to alleviate our frustration as the JRP process slowly unfolds. Our participation in the JRP could also contribute to a properly managed environment and enforce our governance laws since we have a large stake in seeing Wet’suwet’en territory stay within the mandate set out by our Hereditary Chiefs.
To reiterate our request to stop further misinformation, the Office of the Wet’suwet’en asks the membership to talk to our staff, or visit our website http://www.wetsuweten.com to stay informed as to where we are with these large proposed projects.
We look forward to the opportunity to further discuss this position of the Wet’suwet’en
The Office of the Wet’suwet’en on behalf of the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs
