Gitanyow Lax’yip, November 25th, 2024 – Today marks the expiry of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline Provincial Environmental Certificate and along side it the out-of-date agreements with provincial governments and the proponent and Gitanyow. After over a year of calling on for a new environmental assessment and protecting the Lax’yip from pipeline construction activity, Gitanyow is celebrating the expiration of the provincial government authorizations.
Gitanyow Chiefs met in Gitanyow today and recognized the expirey with a ceremony to commemorate the end of the PRGT pipeline, and a continued commitment to protect the Lax’yip from any further attempt to revive the out-of-date fossil fuel project.
The company recently submitted an application for a Substantial Start Determination, following a mere 2 months of limited construction activities, trying to demonstrate to the provincial government, the project is so far advanced, it deserves permanent authorization. This loophole has proven to favour industry over environmental protection, where out-of-date authorizations become permanent with a substantial start approval.
Gitanyow has responded to both the company and the BCEAO, in letters sent in the past week outlining why a Substantial Start has not been achieved. Should a decision be made by the provincial government in favour of PRGT, Gitanyow is prepared to join others to challenge this in the provincial courts.
To prevent further incursions into the Gitanyow Lax’yip from PRGT and other LNG pipelines, the Ganeda Wilps Watakhayetsxw and Gamlakyeltxw have worked together to develop a proposed Indigenous Protected Area in the Cranberry and Kiteen watersheds along the pipeline routes. This area was identified in the original review of the PRGT in 2013 as an extremely valuable area for fish, wildlife and cultural uses. With climate change rampant in the area, the pipeline now poses too significant a risk to migrating and spawning salmon and the protected area will ensure salmon are protected from cumulative industrial and climate impacts.
Gitanyow has also joined other First Nations and allied groups in a joint letter to potential financiers warning them of the significant environmental and legal risks associated with the project. Gitanyow has called on the proponent and government to communicate this risk transparently, but they instead have opted for marketing campaigns attempting to paint the project as climate friendly and backed by all Indigenous people.
QUOTES:
“Today we celebrate the first step towards the end of PRGT. This out-of-date and risky project does not meet the current needs of Gitanyow and others, mainly a health climate and thriving environment for future generations. We have been very consistent that the 10 Year old EA does not reflect new law on UNDRIP and second the Cranberry pipeline route is critical moose habitat and wintering grounds, and provides food security for our members. While we continue to call on the provincial government for a new environmental assessment, and to deny the Substantial Start request made by PRGT, let us be clear that this project does not meet the climate test laid out by Gitanyow and therefore will not be proceeding in our territory.”
-Simooget Malii/Glen Williams
“We have stood on the territory since August, denying access for PRGT construction vehicles and monitoring to ensure that no construction activity occurs in the Lax’yip. We will continue our on the ground presence with new cabins, a new Indigenous Protected Area, and on-going monitoring conducted by Wilp members and the Lax’yip Guardians. We thank everyone from around the globe who has offered support in the past 3 months for our effort, it is a true testament to a widespread concern regarding PRGT and growing opposition to it proceeding.”
-Simooget Watakhayetsxw/Deborah Good
“Our review of the Substantial Start Application submitted by PRGT to the BC Environmental Assessment Office reveals troubling false statements and misleading information, a small amount of last-minute physical construction work completed over a 2-month period following ten years of in-activity, and a disregard for Substantial Start policy guidelines and jurisprudence. Gitanyow remains committed to taking all legal actions necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and a rigorous and fair decision-making process on the Substantial Start Application.”
-Naxginkw/Tara Marsden, Wilp Sustainability Director
###
For more information and media requests;
Xbiisuunt/Chasity Daniels
Communications Coordinator
ghc.communications2023@gmail.
Related Media
Ganeda IPA Notice re: Consultation Period, Nov 2024