My name here
My address here
Secretary to the Joint Review Panel
Enbridge Northern Gateway Project
444 Seventh Avenue S.W.
Calgary, AB T2P0X8
Fax: 403-292-5503; toll free fax: 1-877-288-8803
Dear Sir,
This letter is regarding the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project in Northern British Columbia
My concerns are:
-The annual economic impact attributed to salmon and steelhead in the Skeena watershed that benefits all British Columbians that would be threatened by this pipeline project according the “’Wild Salmon Economy of the Skeena River Watershed” report is valued at $109,987,000 ( )
-The proposed pipeline runs directly through landslide prone geographic areas in the Nechako Plateau, Hazelton Mountains, and the Kitimat Ranges. Six large rock slides occurred in this area since 1978, five of these since 1999, and four since 2002. Three of the six rock slides severed the natural gas pipeline (Howson landslides in 1978 and 1999, and Zymoetz landslide in 2002)
-Active bedrock spread is occurring to the east of Parrott Creek, possibly foreshadowing further movement along the northwest-southeast trending ridges running between Houston and Francois Lake. Along the Morice River, advance-phase glaciolacustrine sediments have historically experienced landslides. Road construction and wildfires have reactivated these landslides. Millions of dollars have been spent stabilising forest service roads over the last 30 years due to the unstable nature of the ground in this general area that the proposed pipeline will follow. The proposed pipeline corridor crosses an historic earth flow west of Owen Creek, glaciolacustrine sediment along Owen Creek, and probably buried advance-phase glaciolacustrine sediments near Owen Creek, Fenton Creek and Lamprey Creek. The pipeline corridor follows the Crystal forest access road up Gosnell Creek. Shifting channels on active alluvial fans pose road maintenance challenges along a 10 km section of the road. Pipelines will likely present similar challenges crossing these fans. There is considerable lateral bank instability at the proposed Crystal Creek and Gosnell Creek crossing ( )
-Morice River produces 30-40% of the Chinook spawning escapement of the Skeena watershed, numbering between 5000 and 15,000 fish. This makes it the Skeena’s single most important Chinook spawning tributary. Much of the spawning takes place in the Gosnell creek area, making this important fish population particularly vulnerable to any disturbances in this important spawning and rearing habitat. Chinook are the largest of the Pacific salmon, often reaching sizes exceeding 50 lbs. It is an important food source for First Nations and is also a valuable recreational sport and commercial fish
-Morice/Bulkley system produces 30-40% of the Skeena watersheds steelhead summer run escapement. These fish overwinter downstream of Gosnell Creek making them particularly vulnerable to any disturbances. Rearing and over wintering habitat for juvenile fish is particularly sensitive to sedimentation events in this area. The Skeena watershed is recognised as the premier destination and is regarded as the most important wild summer run steelhead sport fishery worldwide. As an interesting side note, this fishery is strictly catch and release.
-Morice bound sockeye used to comprise as much as 10% of the returning Skeena total. Sockeye are an important First Nations food source and are the Skeena’s most important commercially sought after fish. The run numbered around 40,000 fish in the 1940’s and 50’s. It is now around 3000-10,000 fish. This critical population would be threatened by any habitat disturbances brought on by this project
-The 4 million litre Enbridge Kalamazoo spill of 2010 is still being cleaned up a year after the fact. Diluted bitumen was the product spilled and is the same product that this proposed pipeline would be transporting.
-The 1 000,000 litre August 2000 Pine River (Chetwynd BC) oil spill was Canada’s most expensive oil spill to clean. $30,000,000 was spent, and local municipal coffers in Chetwynd were strained as the town’s sole water supply from the river was contaminated. To this day wells supply much of the town’s drinking water. A similar scenario could affect Telkwa, a downstream community that relies on the Bulkley River for its drinking water.
Thank you for your attention in this matter. Though not cheap or easy, other alternatives must be found if Alberta tar sands oil is to be brought to market as this particular proposed project’s route clearly is too risky to seriously consider. As Enbridge’s own experience shows, promises of advanced technology can’t prevent spills from happening, and can’t protect the environment and livelihood of downstream communities in the event of a spill
Signed:
your name here
CC:
Kenneth MacDonald
VP, Law and Regulatory Affairs
Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc.
30thFloor, 425 – 1stStreet SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P3L8
Fax: 403-718-3525
Abby Dorval
Manager, Regulatory Affairs
Northern Gateway Pipelines Inc.
30thFloor, 425 – 1stStreet SW
Calgary, Alberta, T2P3L8
Fax: 403-231-7380
Richard Neufeld, Q.C.
Barrister & Solicitor
Fraser Milner Casgrain
15thFloor, 850 – 2ndStreet SW
Calgary, Alberta T2P0R8
Fax: 403-268-3100
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