As many of you know, the Joint Review Panel hearings for the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline are now underway. For the next month, the Panel will be making its way across the route for the project, listening to oral evidence from community members and groups. The
most recent schedule for upcoming hearings is available on the National Energy Board website. These sessions are open to the public. WWF North Coast manager Mike Ambach was at both sessions in Kitimat (Jan 10) and the session in Terrace (Jan 11) which were well attended. Transcripts of everything that was said at the hearings is available
on the National Energy Board wesbsite.
WWF is taking a
strong stand that the Great Bear region is not the place for a pipeline. WWF-Canada recognizes this area of BC’s coast for its immense ecological, economic, and cultural value. This is why the parties to the Great Bear Rainforest were awarded a
Gift to the Earth award by WWF-International in 2007. While the agreement dealt with the terrestrial portion of the coast, much work remains to be done to ensure improved oceans management. Despite best intentions to build and operate a pipeline / tanker route as safely as possible, the project cannot adequately safeguard the region against the threat of major accidents such as spills and pipeline breakages. What’s more, the project clearly does not align with the vision set out for the region. The values supported by the living ecosystems of the Great Bear region are just too precious to lose.
It’s not too late to get involved and have your voice heard. The deadline for written submissions to the JRP is March 13. Written submissions need not be a lengthy expert analysis. A short and sincere statement on your views on the project and whether you think it is in the public interest is relevant to the Panel’s decision.
More information on written submissions can be found on the National Energy Board website.
