December 05 2008 » Media Releases
Residents, NGO’s Applaud Shell Methane Moratorium in Sacred Headwaters
December 5, 2008 (Smithers, BC) – Concerned citizens and NGOs are applauding
the announcement today of a two-year moratorium on coalbed methane drilling
in northern BC’s Sacred Headwaters.
Shell has been trying since 2004 to develop a controversial coalbed methane
gas field in the area, which is the shared birthplace of the Skeena, Nass
and Stikine Rivers.
“Residents from all walks of life have stated that drilling thousands of
wells at the source of our wild salmon rivers is not an option. Today’s
announcement shows that our voices are starting to be heard,” said Shannon
McPhail, Executive Director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition.
“A moratorium is the right decision because it allows all Northwest
residents to come together around a vision for protecting the Sacred
Headwaters, ” said Pat Moss with Friends of Wild Salmon, a coalition of
First Nations, fishermen and conservationists.
“Shell has demonstrated real leadership with today’s decision. The key
question is around social license – that is, whether the Sacred Headwaters
is an appropriate place for oil and gas development,” said Jaisel Vadgama
with the Pembina Institute.
“We now have the time necessary to craft a workable approach to protect the
integrity of the Sacred Headwaters – a solution that respects First Nations
and downstream interests,” said Merran Smith with ForestEthics.
“Our outreach and education work will continue until we are sure that
coalbed methane drilling will never occur in the Sacred Headwaters,” said
Julia Hill with the Terrace organization Northwest Watch.
Contact:
Shannon McPhail – Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition: (250) 842-2494
Pat Moss – Friends of Wild Salmon: (250) 847-9693
Jaisel Vadgama – Pembina Institute: (604) 992-0686
Merran Smith – ForestEthics: (604) 816-5636
Julia Hill – Northwest Watch: (250) 638-0998
