woodfibre lng issue 1 - newsletter

1. UPDATE / ISSUE 1
SQUAMISH NATION /
WOODFIBRE
LNG /PROPOSAL
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
SN’S MARINE HABITAT — A SACRED TRUST
≥≥ Herring are coming back into the sound, as are
porpoises, orcas and grey whales. We’re on a
course of action to revitalize Howe Sound and
the Salish Sea.
FortisBC is looking to build a natural gas pipeline through
Squamish Nation territory to Woodfibre LNG’s proposed
$1.6-billion export LNG plant at our village site of Swiyat
(former Woodfibre Pulp Mill site).
Both the pipeline and LNG plant are being reviewed under pro-
vincial and federal environmental assessment (EA) legislation.
But the Nation strongly feels the provincial and federal
governments’ EA process is inadequate when it comes to
identifying Squamish Nation aboriginal title and rights
interests — culturally significant and sacred areas as well
as environmentally sensitive land and aquatic habitats — or for
identifying what the impacts of the pipeline and LNG plant will
be on Squamish Nation interests.
The EA also does not consider Squamish Nation governance
over lands and waters that may be impacted by the project or
the economic component of Aboriginal title.
The provincial and federal government’s EA process does not
adequately address Squamish Nation interests, the Nation is
running its own environmental assessment process parallel to
the one run by the federal and provincial governments.
AN INDEPENDENT VOICE
We won’t allow outsiders, whether they support
the pipeline or oppose it, to decide for us.
— CHIEF IAN CAMPBELL
SQUAMISH NATION
CONDUCTS INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT
OF WOODFIBRE LNG PROPOSAL

2. SQUAMISH NATION CONDUCT S… CONTINUED FROM COVER
SQUAMISH NATION / WOODFIBRE LNG / UPDATE / ISSUE 1
FACTS
≥≥ Proposed is a 52-km twinned pipeline from Indian Arm
to Squamish.
≥≥ Pipeline will route under much of the Squamish Estuary with
a 700-metre trench on the west side of the Squamish River.
≥≥ Proposed LNG plant will be located on private land
previously zoned as industrial.
≥≥ An estimated 2.1 million tonnes of LNG will be exported
each year.
≥≥ Each month, an estimated two to four tankers will carry the
LNG through Howe Sound, south through the Gulf Islands,
into Juan De Fuca and west into the Pacific Ocean.
TIMELINE
≥≥ SN environmental advisors are currently
completing the assessment.
≥≥ If we have all the information we need from
the proponents, we expect to present the
findings to members at the end of May.
≥≥ That being the case, Council may be able
to make its decision mid-June.
≥≥ The Nation will then be in a position to discuss
its decision with the federal and provincial
governments prior to the release of their EAs,
expected by the end of July or mid-August.
“We weren’t satisfied with the provincial and federal
environmental assessment process. It doesn’t adequately
look at issues important to the Squamish Nation, such as
our rights and title and other interests that we have,”
says Chief Ian Campbell.
Put simply, the Squamish Nation has taken matters into
its own hands and is conducting its own rigorous review
of the pipeline and LNG plant. We have no faith that
the federal and provincial governments will protect
our interests in their EA process.
In July 2014, the Squamish Nation began its independent
assessment of the proposal. Since then, the Nation has been
holding community meetings with members, helping them
to learn about the proposal and gathering their views on the
subject, both opposing and for the pipeline and LNG project.
Based on the information collected from community members,
the Nation has generated a list of issues to be used to assess
the risks and benefits of the project from our perspective.
That process continues to this day.
At regular community meetings, the Nation has been keeping
its members up to date.
On February 11 and 24, the Nation presented to the communi-
ty its preliminary findings — all fact and science-based — of the
risks and potential benefits of this project.
And later this spring, the final results of the independent
assessment of the potential risks and benefits of the project —
again, all fact and science-based — will be presented in plain
language for the community’s consideration.
It is anticipated that in mid-June, Council will be in a position
to make an informed decision about whether to accept or
reject the LNG project.
Findings of the Squamish Nation assessment will later be
compared with the results of the provincial and federal govern-
ments’ Environmental Assessment process, also underway.
The Squamish Nation will then discuss the results of its
assessment with the provincial and federal government
on a government-to-government level.
For the Squamish Nation, the independent assessment of the
Woodfibre project represents an exercise in Squamish self-
government. Our decision will reflect the interests, the will,
and the beliefs of the members of the Squamish Nation.

3. WOODFIBRE LNG PROJECT / PRELIMINARY PROJECT CONFIGURATION / ARTIS TS’ RENDERING JUNE 2014 / USED WITH PERMISSION
FORTIS BC MAP / USED WITH PERMISSION






































 





























































































































 





















































































 
      







 



















    


 















4. FOR MORE INFORMATION:
RIGHTS & TITLE MANAGEMENT TEAM
FOR THE SQUAMISH PROCESS
INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS,
NATURAL RESOURCES & REVENUE
SQUAMISH NATION
415 WEST ESPLANADE
NORTH VANCOUVER, BC
T: 604-998-0285
E: SQUAMISHPROCESS@SQUAMISH.NET
WWW.SQUAMISH.NET
SQUAMISH NATION