December 06 2008 » News Clippings » Vancouver Sun
Shell Faces Coal-bed Methane Moratorium in Northern BC
Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun
A two-year moratorium has been declared on development of coal-bed methane
resources in the Klappan coal field in northern British Columbia, the
provincial government announced on Friday.
Energy Minister Richard Neufeld said in a news release that Shell Canada
“will take a break” in exploration of Mount Klappan.
The company will instead engage local communities, the Tahltan Central
Council and individual members of the first nation who have voiced
reservations about the project.
“Government is facilitating this by specifying no activity for two years,”
the release quoted Neufeld as saying. “I commend both Shell Canada for
showing leadership in making this decision and the Tahltan who have
expressed their concerns and their interest in having more information.”
Shell had indicated earlier this year that it was suspending its attempts
to conduct exploration drilling of the Klappan – although a two-year series
road blockades by some Tahltan members had rendered Shell’s decision moot.
In September, the aboriginals were joined in opposition to coal-bed methane
development by the Union of B.C. Municipalities, which passed a resolution
calling on the government to stop Shell from exploring the area.
Klappan is the headwater region for three major salmon streams in the
north, the Skeena, Nass and Stikine Rivers, and coal-bed methane opponents
are gravely concerned that exploration and development of presumed rich gas
deposits could unleash contaminated water into all the streams, degrading
water quality for salmon and for human consumption.
Development of coal-bed methane fields typically involves dewatering of
underground gas deposits before the gas begins to flow, and the water is
usually removed by directing it into nearby streams.
“The Tahltan nation supports responsible and sustainable development;
however, we feel that coal-bed methane (CBM) development is advancing
without full and complete information or an established and agreed-upon
framework for decision-making that respects and recognizes Tahltan title
and rights,” Tahltan Central Council Chair Annita McPhee said in a news
release.
“This suspension will provide our nation the time it needs to be well
informed on all issues relating to CBM.”
Iskut band Chief Marie Quock, in the same news release, welcomed the
announcement.
“This project has challenged our people because, while we need employment
and to achieve our economic goals, we also need to protect our land and
heritage and ensure that development in our traditional territory is
sustainable for generations to come.”
Environmental groups in northwest B.C applauded the moratorium.
“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,” Shannon
McPhail, executive director of the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition,
said in a release.
“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 of Friends of Wild Salmon, a coalition of first
nations, fishermen and conservationists.
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
