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February 18 2011 » SWCC in the NewsMedia Releases

Conservation groups comment on continuation of moratorium in the Klappan

The British Columbia government confirmed earlier this week that the moratorium established in 2008 on Royal Dutch Shell’s coalbed methane development project in northwestern British Columbia — in an area also known as the Sacred Headwaters — would continue through 2012.

“The BC government’s decision to continue the moratorium allows time for affected communities living within the three watersheds to craft a permanent solution to protect the Sacred Headwaters,” said Karen Tam Wu, Senior Conservation Campaigner for ForestEthics.

“The future for the Sacred Headwaters needs to consider cumulative impacts of all developments within the region, and determine what projects can go ahead that safeguard the watersheds’ unique values — clean water, wild salmon, and cultural heritage — while providing meaningful employment to communities. Coalbed methane does not fit with these values, “ said Shannon McPhail, Executive Director for Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition.

“Salmon is the cornerstone upon which these communities’ culture and identity have evolved. We will not tolerate wild salmon being guinea pigs for Shell’s coalbed methane experiment,” said Karen Tam Wu, Senior Conservation Campaigner for ForestEthics.

“While Shell profits $2.5 million per minute, no amount of money will appease the communities of northwestern British Columbia to betray our wild salmon, “ said Ali Howard, representative for Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition, who swam the entire Skeena River in 2009 to raise awareness.

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