ѻý

Skip to content

B.C. First Nation grants company temporary access to winterize pipeline site

Wetѻýsuwetѻýen hereditary chiefs say agreement does not soften their position
20121152_web1_200115-SINwetseweten-press-conference-NaMoks

The Wetѻýsuwetѻýen hereditary chiefs have allowed Coastal GasLink temporary access to the companyѻýs worksite near Houston, B.C., to do maintenance.

ѻýCGL has been granted 6-8 hours access for a work crew to winterize their personnel accommodations and equipment at site 9A, since no personnel will remain at the site during the coming cold snap,ѻý a press release stated.

ѻýOne time access will be granted to avoid damages to CGL assets and the surrounding environment. CGL has confirmed in writing that they will leave Dark House territory after winterizing Site 9A.ѻý

The company is building a pipeline from northeastern B.C. to LNG Canadaѻýs export terminal in Kitimat and has signed agreements with all 20 elected First Nation councils along the planned 670-kilometre route, but hereditary chiefs say the project does not have their consent.

A spokesperson for the company said they are grateful for the access.

ѻýOur focus remains on finding a peaceful and mutually agreeable resolution. Site 9A remains unoccupied and we are working cooperatively with the Unistѻýotѻýen (Dark House) to access the site to conduct maintenance to prevent damage while it remains unoccupied.

The chiefs said the agreement does not represent a softening of their position.

ѻýThis limited access was offered in good faith as a demonstration of wiggus or respect by us as Dinï zeѻý and Tsѻýakë zeѻý in our dealings with CGL, despite the lack of consent for CGLѻýs property and pre-construction activities on our unceded territory,ѻý a statement read.

ѻýThis arrangement in no way constitutes consultation. We remain steadfast in our position that no pipeline will be built on unceded Wetѻýsuwetѻýen territory.ѻý

- with a file from The Canadian Press



editor@interior-news.com

Like us on and follow us on



Thom Barker

About the Author: Thom Barker

After graduating with a geology degree from Carleton University and taking a detour through the high tech business, Thom started his journalism career as a fact-checker for a magazine in Ottawa in 2002.
Read more



(or

ѻý

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }