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
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