UPDATE / ISSUE 1

SQUAMISH NATION /

WOODFIBRELNG /PROPOSAL

C O N T I N U E D O N PAG E 2

SN’S MARINE HABITAT — A SACRED TRUS T

≥ Herring are coming back into the sound, as are porpoises, orcas and grey whales. We’re on a course of action to revitalize Howe Sound and the Salish Sea.

FortisBC is looking to build a natural gas pipeline through Squamish Nation territory to Woodfibre LNG’s proposed $1.6-billion export LNG plant at our village site of Swiyat (former Woodfibre Pulp Mill site).

Both the pipeline and LNG plant are being reviewed under pro-vincial and federal environmental assessment (EA) legislation.

But the Nation strongly feels the provincial and federal governments’ EA process is inadequate when it comes to identifying Squamish Nation aboriginal title and rights interests — culturally significant and sacred areas as well

as environmentally sensitive land and aquatic habitats — or for identifying what the impacts of the pipeline and LNG plant will be on Squamish Nation interests.

The EA also does not consider Squamish Nation governance over lands and waters that may be impacted by the project or the economic component of Aboriginal title.

The provincial and federal government’s EA process does not adequately address Squamish Nation interests, the Nation is running its own environmental assessment process parallel to the one run by the federal and provincial governments.

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE

We won’t allow outsiders, whether they support the pipeline or oppose it, to decide for us.

— CHIEF IAN C AMPBELL

SQUAMISH NATION CONDUCTS INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF WOODFIBRE LNG PROPOSAL

S Q UA M I S H N AT I O N C O N D U C T S … C O N T I N U E D F RO M C OV E R

SQUAMISH NATION / WOODFIBRE LNG / UPDATE / ISSUE 1

FACT S

≥ Proposed is a 52-km twinned pipeline from Indian Arm to Squamish.

≥ Pipeline will route under much of the Squamish Estuary with a 700-metre trench on the west side of the Squamish River.

≥ Proposed LNG plant will be located on private land previously zoned as industrial.

≥ An estimated 2.1 million tonnes of LNG will be exported each year.

≥ Each month, an estimated two to four tankers will carry the LNG through Howe Sound, south through the Gulf Islands, into Juan De Fuca and west into the Pacific Ocean.

TIMELINE

≥ SN environmental advisors are currently completing the assessment.

≥ If we have all the information we need from the proponents, we expect to present the findings to members at the end of May.

≥ That being the case, Council may be able to make its decision mid-June.

≥ The Nation will then be in a position to discuss its decision with the federal and provincial governments prior to the release of their EAs, expected by the end of July or mid-August.

“We weren’t satisfied with the provincial and federal environmental assessment process. It doesn’t adequately look at issues important to the Squamish Nation, such as our rights and title and other interests that we have,” says Chief Ian Campbell.

Put simply, the Squamish Nation has taken matters into its own hands and is conducting its own rigorous review of the pipeline and LNG plant. We have no faith that the federal and provincial governments will protect our interests in their EA process.

In July 2014, the Squamish Nation began its independent assessment of the proposal. Since then, the Nation has been holding community meetings with members, helping them to learn about the proposal and gathering their views on the subject, both opposing and for the pipeline and LNG project.

Based on the information collected from community members, the Nation has generated a list of issues to be used to assess the risks and benefits of the project from our perspective.

That process continues to this day.

At regular community meetings, the Nation has been keeping its members up to date.

On February 11 and 24, the Nation presented to the communi-ty its preliminary findings — all fact and science-based — of the risks and potential benefits of this project.

And later this spring, the final results of the independent assessment of the potential risks and benefits of the project — again, all fact and science-based — will be presented in plain language for the community’s consideration.

It is anticipated that in mid-June, Council will be in a position to make an informed decision about whether to accept or reject the LNG project.

Findings of the Squamish Nation assessment will later be compared with the results of the provincial and federal govern-ments’ Environmental Assessment process, also underway. The Squamish Nation will then discuss the results of its assessment with the provincial and federal government on a government-to-government level.

For the Squamish Nation, the independent assessment of the Woodfibre project represents an exercise in Squamish self-government. Our decision will reflect the interests, the will, and the beliefs of the members of the Squamish Nation.

WO O D F I B R E L NG P RO J E C T / P R E L I M I N A RY P RO J E C T CO N F I G U R AT I O N / A R T I S T S ’ R E N D E R I NG J U N E 2 014 / U S E D W I T H P E R M I S S I O N

F O R T I S B C M A P / U S E D W I T H P E R M I S S I O N

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

RIGHTS & TITLE MANAGEMENT TEAM

FOR THE SQUAMISH PROCESS

INTERGOVERNMENTAL REL ATIONS,

NATURAL RESOURCES & REVENUE

SQUAMISH NATION

415 WEST ESPL ANADE

NORTH VANCOUVER, BC

T: 604-998-0285

E: SQUAMISHPROCESS@SQUAMISH.NET

WWW.SQUAMISH.NET

SQUAMISH NATION