Lax Kw’alaams Band
Bulletin 3
For Members Only
Question and Answers
The Pacific Northwest LNG Facility and Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipelines Projects
What is Liquefied Natural Gas?
Liquefied Natural Gas, or LNG, is natural gas that
is chilled to -160 degrees Celsius so that it can be
converted into a liquid form. Once liquefied, the
natural gas is compressed so it takes up much
less space (approximately 1/600th less space
than natural gas). LNG can then be loaded on to
specially equipped LNG carriers and shipped
overseas for sale where it is converted back into
its original form at a regasification facility.
What LNG projects are proposed in Lax
Kw’alaams territory?
There are five LNG facilities and two natural gas
pipelines proposed in Lax Kw’alaams territory at
this time. The community meetings being held will
address only the Pacific NorthWest LNG Facility
located on Lelu Island, and the Prince Rupert Gas
Transmission pipelines, which would carry natural
gas from northeastern BC to Nass Bay, across
the Mylor Peninsula, through Portland Inlet and
Chatham Sound, to Lelu Island.
Will the Pacific NorthWest LNG Facility and
Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline have
environmental impacts?
Yes, both the facility and the pipelines will have
environmental impacts, particularly on the marine
environment, including Skeena River fisheries.
The facility proposed on Lelu Island will destroy
hundreds of culturally modified trees on the island
and will mean the island is no longer available for
Lax Kw’alaams’ use. There will be some dredging
required around Lelu Island, which could release
toxic materials into the water, potentially
contaminating marine foods and resources.
The LNG carrier berth will be located just off Flora
Bank, an important area for juvenile salmon.
Shipping, and the construction of a trestle over
the western edge of Flora Bank could disrupt
young salmon and the natural processes that hold
Flora Bank in place.
The facility will also mean an additional 350 LNG
carriers would transit Lax Kw’alaams waters each
year for at least the next 30 years, potentially
disrupting fishing and causing harm to marine
mammals, including whales, through ship strikes
and noise.
The construction of the Prince Rupert Gas
Transmission pipelines will result in disturbance to
the sea floor along the 120 km marine route
located entirely in Lax Kw’alaams territory and will
have corresponding impacts on marine resources
that are disturbed.
As with any industrial undertaking, there are also
risks of accidents and malfunctions with both the
facility and the pipelines. These include a pipeline
rupture, which could release natural gas into Lax
Kw’alaams marine waters, an explosion of LNG at
the facility or on an LNG carrier, or the release of
natural gas into the air.
The liquefaction, transportation and regasification
of natural gas is energy intensive, resulting in the
release of greenhouse gas emissions which
contribute to climate change.
What steps has Council taken to protect our
interests?
Lax Kw’alaams has been heavily involved in the
environmental assessment processes for both the
PNW LNG and PRGT projects, and continues to
engage in the federal environmental assessment
for PNW LNG to protect rights and title interests.
Lax Kw’alaams has also undertaken several
studies on the potential impacts of the projects.
The federal environmental assessment continues
to assess impacts on the marine environment,
including impacts on Skeena River fisheries and
Flora Bank.
For more information on these steps please see
Bulletin 1.
Questions and Answers
Are there benefits being offered to Lax
Kw’alaams for the two projects?
Yes, Lax Kw’alaams has been offered benefits,
including significant cash payments, job training,
and employment for the projects. If Lax
Kw’alaams agrees to the construction and
operation of these two projects, Lax Kw’alaams
will also receive significant lands in the Prince
Rupert Harbour area and adjacent to IR 1 from
the Province of British Columbia (see map
attached). Funds will be provided for the paving of
Tuck Road and a fisheries compensation fund.
These benefits are being offered by the project
proponents and the Province, and will flow to Lax
Kw’alaams over a 40 year period.
For more detail on the benefits associated with
the two projects please see Bulletin 2 for more
detail.
What will happen at the community meetings?
At the community meetings there will be
presentations from Lax Kw’alaams advisors about
the environmental risks of the two projects and
about the benefits offered by the proponents and
the Province if Lax Kw’alaams supports the
projects. The project proponents will also give
presentations about the projects. Community
members will be given an opportunity to ask
questions and seek clarification about the
projects, and associated impacts and benefits.
Membership will be asked to vote by a show of
hands after the presentations as to whether or not
you support the development of these LNG
projects and the benefits packages that are being
offered.
What is Lax Kw’alaams Mayor and Council
asking of membership?
Lax Kw’alaams leadership requests that members
attend community meetings that will provide
information about the impacts and benefits of the
Pacific NorthWest LNG Facility and the Prince
Rupert Gas Transmission pipelines. Membership
will be asked to vote by a show of hands after the
presentations whether or not you support the
development of these LNG projects in the territory
and the benefits packages that are being offered.
When will Council make a decision about the
two projects, and the benefits offered?
After the community meetings have been held,
and members have provided their views on the
two projects by way of a vote, Lax Kw’alaams
leadership will carefully consider the feedback
from membership and make a decision to either
support or oppose the Pacific NorthWest LNG
Facility and the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission
pipeline projects.
Where can I find more information on the
proposed projects?
For more information please see: laxkwalaams.ca
and PNWLNG.com
Lax Kw’alaams Membership
Meeting Dates
Lax Kw’alaams Village (School)………......May 4
Coast Tsimshian Academy Gym
Lax Kw’alaams Advisors Presentation
Lax Kw’alaams Village (School)………......May 5
Proponents Presentation
Prince Rupert (Chances)……………………May 6
North Coast Conference Centre
Lax Kw’alaams Advisors Presentation
Prince Rupert (Chances)………….…………May 7
Proponents Presentation
Vancouver (Chateau Granville)…………….May 11
1100 Granville Street
Lax Kw’alaams Advisors Presentation
Vancouver (Chateau Granville)…………….May 12
Proponents Presentation
All meetings will be from 7:00pm - 10:30pm.
* Membership will be asked to vote by show of
hands after the presentations whether or not
you support the development of these LNG
projects and the benefits packages.
2
Lands Offered in the Benefits Package
3
Lands Offered in the Benefits Package
4