Wet'suwet'en First Nation elders, youth and other community members gather in Hazelton tomorrow to discuss how proposed oil and gas pipeline projects could impact their territories, local wildlife and fish. The workshop is the second in a series of five workshops being held in communities along the proposed pipeline route.
At least six large-scale pipeline and energy projects are scheduled for development in British Columbia during the next five years. Once pipeline infrastructure is in place, it will be easier to open up culturally and environmentally sensitive areas such as the Nechako and Bowser Basins in central BC to further development. The pipeline routes affect dozens of First Nations communities and could have negative impacts on British Columbia's fisheries, disturb wildlife habitat, and contribute to global climate change. The workshop series Protecting Our Land: Resource Development in Aboriginal Communities taking place all week will explore the social and environmental impacts of development, and examine ways to balance these impacts with potential economic benefits.
"Treaty 8 holds lessons for other First Nations in BC. We have lived with the impacts of oil and gas development for 50 years," said Chief Liz Logan, Chief of Fort Nelson First Nation in Treaty 8. "The fish and wildlife that could be disturbed or threatened are not only valued as a species but are a source of income for many people living in communities along the pipeline route. We have already seen examples of oil spills, like the one at Pine River in 2000 that killed tens of thousands of fish," said Chief Logan. "It took two years for our fish stocks to begin to recover."
"It's not only the fish and wildlife, but the cumulative effects of development that concern many of us," said Diane Abel, former Councilor of West Moberly First Nation in Treaty 8. "Once one company builds roads and facilities, it makes it easy for other companies to come in and start developing the land for other types of industry." "We have economic development, but we also have a lot of challenges. The pace of development is too fast. We have been asking the government to slow it down so we can protect some of our last sacred and traditional areas, and we are asking for a more equal role in sustainable development," Diane Abel added.
Alberta is already paying the high price of environmental and social impacts caused by rushing ahead with oil and gas projects without a long term development plan in place. These problems are most pronounced in areas affected by oilsands development. A report released by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and the Pembina Institute in August 2006 warned that projected development of Alberta's deep oilsands which underlie 25% of the province will drive many boreal wildlife species, including caribou, lynx, marten and some forest bird species to local extinction. The town of Fort McMurray is unable to keep up with housing and infrastructure needs resulting from the oilsands boom.
Pipeline projects and other developments may carry similar implications for British Columbia. "The workshops are a great opportunity to learn in advance about potential impacts of oil and gas development and determine whether the benefits will outweigh the impacts," said Karen Campbell, Staff Counsel with the Pembina Institute.
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For more information:Chief Liz Logan, Fort Nelson First Nation in Treaty 8
Cell: 250-233-3049
Karen Campbell, Staff Counsel, the Pembina Institute
Cell: 604-928-2258
Download fact sheets for more information on the potential impacts of oil and gas development in British Columbia: www.pembina.org/bc
Next on the road show:
Hazelton Workshop: Tuesday Oct. 17, 10am - 3pm
Hagwilget Small HallHazelton, BC
Tuesday's Media Release
Tues Oct 17 - Community members from Burns Lake First Nations gather on Wednesday to talk about the links between oil and gas development in BC and lessons learned from Alberta's oilsands operations, which have caused a dramatic growth in greenhouse gas pollution. BC already faces problems that have been linked to climate change such as mountain pine beetle infestations.
