Departments

Territorial Management

Projects

LNG Canada – Shell
BCEAO Status
Website: lngcanada.ca

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: Shell Canada (with Petro China Company, Korea Gas Corp and Mitsubishi Corp)

Facility Location: Kitimat harbour

Shipping Route: Through Douglas Channel, up Principe

Size/Capacity: 24 million tonnes year

Project Timelines:

  • Construction proposed for 2015
  • Begin operation in 2019
  • In operation for at least 25 years

Consultation Process: Coordinated EA (CEAA + BCEAO)

  • Status:
    Capacity funding agreement in place
    Project description filed in March 2013
    Environmental Assessment Application submitted to EAO September 18, 2014
    Environmental Assessment Certificate issued June 2015
  • The project has yet to receive a final investment decision (FID). Prior to that, LNG Canada must ensure the project is economically viable, and meets several other significant milestones related to gas supply, engineering and cost estimates, and supply of labour.
  • OGC LNG facility permit and water use licenses approved
  • Still waiting on FID (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement:

GEM office engaged in working group meetings

Gitxaala engaged in field data collection

GEM team completed:

Gitxaala Use study

Gitxaala Valued Component report

GEM offices currently reviewing the all construction and environmental monitoring management plans pertaining to the marine environment and Gitxaala territory

Pacific Northwest LNG – Petronas

BCEAO Status

Website: pacificnorthwestlng.com

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: Petronas

Facility Location: Lelu Island, Prince Rupert Harbour

Shipping Route: Rupert Harbour to north of Triple Island

Size/Capacity: 18 million tonnes of LNG (3 trains, 2 carrier berths)

Project Timelines:

  •  Construction: 2015-2018
  •  Operation: 2018 to at least 2048
  •  Consultation Process: Coordinated

Status:

  • EA Capacity funding agreement in place
  • Filed Environmental Assessment Application July 16, 2013
  • Application information requirements filed Feb, 2014
  • New project design announced by Pacific NW LNG to try and address the major concerns
  • Provincial Environmental Assessment certificate issued on November 25, 2014
  • Project engaged in the Provincial OGC permitting phase
  • Proponent advised by the Federal government that the project application had significant information gaps (largely due to the comments of the First Nations).
  • More information on impacts to fish and fish habitat was required before the application was accepted by CEAA. Application accepted in January 2016.
  • Federal Environmental Assessment certificate decision pending
  • Still waiting on federal decision on Environmental Assessment Certificate. Decision expected by Fall 2016. Still awaiting FID. GEM team is currently engaged in the development of the proponent’s Socio Economic Effects Management Plan (SEEMP). (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

  • Gitxaala engaged in field data collection
  • GEM office engaged in working group meetings
  • GEM team completed:
    • Gitxaala Use study
    • Gitxaala Socio-economic study
  • Gitxaala Valued Component report
  • GEM team currently engaged in OGC permitting phase, reviewing and commenting on all proposed permits and conditions.

Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Line

BCEAO Status

Website: www.princerupertgas.com

Project Type: Pipeline

Proponent: TransCanada

Pipeline Route: Northeastern British Columbia, near Hudson’s Hope to Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Total Length: Approximately 900 kilometers

Marine length:

  • Two 36 inch pipes approximately 220km from Alice Arm, down Chatham Sound to Lelu Island
  • Pipeline serves Pacific Northwest LNG (Petronas/Progress)

Size/Capacity: Two pipes with a capacity up to 2- 3.6 billion cubic feet per day

Project Timelines:

  • Construction: 2015-2018
  • Operation: 2019 to at least 2048

Consultation Process:

Status:

  • EA Capacity Funding Agreement in place
  • Project description filed on May 2013 and received 2 updates in the summer of 2014.
  • Environmental Assessment Application submitted June 6, 2014
  • Environmental Assessment Certificate issued November 25, 2014
  • All major pipeline and facilities have been approved and permitted by the OGC.
  • Still waiting on FID. This project is linked to PNW LNG and we likely won’t hear a FID announcement until after PNW LNG receives the final decision on their EAC. GEM team is currently engaged in reviewing the proponent’s draft SEEMP. (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

  • GEM office engaged in working group meetings.
  • GEM team completed:
    • Gitxaala Use study
    • Gitxaala Valued Component report
    • Gitxaala Socio-economic report
  • GEM offices reviewing all the management plans pertaining to the marine environment and Gitxaala territory.
  • GEM team engaged in OGC permitting phase, reviewing and commenting on all proposed permits and conditions.

Prince Rupert LNG – BG Group

BCEAO Status

Website: princerupertlng.ca

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: British Gas (iptionca/ap)

Facility Location: Ridley Island

Shipping Route: Prince Rupert to Triple Island

Size/Capacity: 21 million tonnes, (3 trains, 2 berths) – 189 vessel calls per year during phase 1, 285 at full built out

Project Timelines:

  • Construction in 2016
  • Operations in 2020

Consultation Process: Substituted EA

Status:

  • EA capacity agreement currently being negotiated
  • Draft application filed March 7, 2013
  • BG Group was purchased by Exxon in March 2015
  • EA application is being currently being prepared. (Sept 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

  • GEM team completed:
    • Gitxaala Use study
    • Gitxaala Valued Component report
    • Gitxaala Socio-economic report
  • GEM team has engaged in the early stages of this EA and will continue to provide comment on all submissions and attend working group meetings.

Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Line

BCEAO Status

Website: spectraenergy.com

Project Type: Pipeline

Proponent: Spectra Energy/BG Group

Pipeline Route: Northeastern British Columbia, near Fort Nelson to Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Total Length: Approximately 850 kilometers

Marine length:

  • Two 36 inch pipes approximately 220km from Alice Arm, down Chatham Sound to Lelu Island
  • Pipeline serves Pacific Northwest LNG (Petronas/Progress)

Size/Capacity: Two pipes with a capacity up to 4.2 billion cubic feet per day

Project Timelines:

  • Construction: 2015-2018
  • Operation: 2019 to at least 2048
  • Consultation Process: Substitution

Status:

  • EA Capacity funding agreement in place
  • EA certificate issued November 25, 2014. Currently engaged in Provincial OGC pre-application permitting phase – all investigative use permits have been approved and issued.
  • Still awaiting FID. No word on alternate facility if Prince Rupert LNG does not receive a positive FID. (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

  • GEM office engaged in working group meetings
  • GEM team completed:
    • Gitxaala Use study
    • Gitxaala Valued Component report
    • Gitxaala Socio-economic report
  • GEM offices reviewing all management plans pertaining to the marine environment and Gitxaala territory
  • GEM team engaged in OGC permitting phase, reviewing and commenting on all proposed permits and conditions.

Kitimat LNG

BCEAO Status

Website: www.chevron.ca/our-businesses/kitimat-lng

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: Chevron/ Woodside Energy

Facility Location: Bish Cove/ Douglas Channel

Shipping Route: Through Douglas Channel, up Principe Channel

Size/Capacity: 10 million tonnes year- 5 to 7 ships per month

Project Timelines: EA approval in 2009

  • Construction: 2012- 2015
  • Operational: 2015/2016

Consultation Process: Substituted EA

Status:

  • EA capacity funding agreement in place
  • Pre-application filed in September 2004
  • Environmental Assessment Certificate issued June 6, 2006
  • The EA certificate was extended in 2009. Currently engaged in the OGC permitting pre-application process. All investigative use permits and Water Act Authorizations have been approved and issued.
  • Still awaiting FID. (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

  • GEM office engaged in working group meetings
  • GEM offices reviewing the all management plans pertaining to the marine environment and Gitxaala territory
  • GEM team engaged in OGC permitting phase, reviewing and commenting on all proposed permits and conditions.

Aurora LNG

BCEAO Status

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: Nexen

Facility Location: Digby Island

Shipping Route: Down Prince Rupert Harbour and east to Chatham Sound

Size/Capacity: 20-24 million tonnes year- 12-15 ships per month at full build out

Project Timeline:

  • Construction: 2017-2023
  • Operation: 2023-2063

Consultation Process: Substituted

Status:

  • EA capacity funding agreement currently being negotiated
  • Pre-application filed June 06, 2014
  • Application Information Requirements submitted on November 23, 2014
  • Currently engaged in the OGC permitting pre-application process. An investigative use permit has been approved and issued.
  • Capacity Funding Agreement reached with the proponent. Application Information Requirements approved November 23, 2015. There is still no pipeline associated with this facility. The GEM team is currently putting the final touches on a traditional use study and valued components document for the project area. A copy of these studies will be available to the community through the health unit in Lach Klan and the GEM office in Prince Rupert. The GEM team is also reviewing and providing comments on the proponent’s Aboriginal Consultation Plan. GEM team is currently engaged in the proponent’s Socio Economic Effects Management planning (SEEMP). (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

GEM team has engaged in the early stages of this EA and will continue to provide comment on all submissions and attend working group meetings.

WCC LNG

BCEAO Status

Website: imperialoil.ca/Canada-English/operations_ngas_export.aspx

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: Imperial Oil/Exxon Mobile

Facility Location: Prince Rupert Harbor/Tuck Inlet (Lot 444 within Prince Rupert city limits)

Shipping Route: South out of Prince Rupert Harbour, West to Chatham Sound

Size/ Capacity: 15-30 million metric tonnes

Consultation Process: Substituted

Status:

  • EA capacity funding agreement currently being negotiated
  • Pre-application filed January 7, 2015
  • Application Information Requirement accepted by EAO on March 31, 2016
  • Submitted Aboriginal Consultation Plan in October 2015
  • Currently engaged in the OGC permitting pre-application process – no permits have been issued at this time
  • Capacity Funding Agreement is still being negotiated. Application Information Requirements for the project’s Environmental Assessment application were approved March 31, 2016.

Summary of GEM Engagement

GEM team has engaged in the early stages of this EA and will continue to provide comment on all submissions and attend working group meetings.

Grassy Point LNG

BCEAO Status

Website: woodside.com.au

Project Type: LNG Facility

Proponent: Woodside Energy Holdings Pty Ltd.

Facility Location: Port Simpson, BC

Shipping Route: West from terminal at Grassy Point, North through Dixon Entrance

Size/Capacity: 20 million metric tonnes

Project Timelines: No timelines at this time

Consultation Process: Substituted

Status:

  • EA capacity funding agreement currently being negotiated
  • Pre-application filed August 2014
  • Draft Application Information Requirements submitted March 3, 2016
  • Capacity Funding Agreement is still being negotiated. Application Information Requirements for the project’s Environmental Assessment application were approved 10, 2016. (Sept. 6, 2016).

Summary of GEM Engagement:

GEM team has engaged in the early stages of this EA and will continue to provide comment on all submissions and attend working group meetings.

Enbridge Northern Gateway

Website: www.gatewayfacts.ca

Website: gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca

Project Type: LNG Pipeline and Terminal

Proponent: Enbridge

Facility Location: Kitimat

Shipping Route: West Coast of Banks, or Principe Channel to Douglas Channel

Size/Capacity: The westbound 36” diameter pipeline will carry up to 525000 barrels of oil per day. The eastbound 20” diameter pipeline will carry 193000 barrels of condensate per day.

Project Timelines:

  • Construction: 2015-2018
  • Operation: 2019 to at least 2048
  • Consultation Process: NEB Joint Review Panel

Status:

  • Project approved by NEB
  • Appeal in process.
  • BC Supreme Court ruled in favor of several BC coastal first nations, including Gitxaala, effectively overturning approval of the pipeline project. The GEM team is awaiting more information about if and how the proponent plans on moving forward and what will be done regarding fulfilling the Crown’s aboriginal consultation requirements. (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement:

The Northern Gateway proposal triggered a Joint Review Panel, managed by the NEB. Gitxaala Hereditary and elected governments agreed to fight this project. Gitxaala hired scientific experts on oil spills, Gitxaala culture and rights and title, and other topics, and conducted a major Gitxaala Use Study. Written witness statements and expert reports were submitted. (Link to document archive at NEB). Gitxaala provided oral testimony for 6 days, and took the JRP on a boat tour of the tanker route through Gitxaala territory. The project was approved with 209 conditions. Gitxaala has appealed this decision, along with other intervenors. Written arguments on the appeal were submitted April 2015.

In February 2016, the BC Supreme Court ruled in favor of Coastal First Nations for this appeal. It was found that, in the case of Coastal First Nations v. British Columbia, a portion of the Equivalency Agreement between British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and the National Energy Board (NEB) was invalid. Specifically, the Court ruled that British Columbia’s Environmental Assessment Act applies to NEB projects to the extent that they require a Provincial Environmental Assessment certificate. The result of this decision has resulted in Enbridge having to re-enter the Provincial EA process.

Banks Island Yellow Giant Gold Mine

Website: banksislandgold.com

Project Type: Gold Mine

Proponent: Banks Island Gold

Facility Location: West Coast of Banks Island

Size/Capacity: 1600 hectares of mineral rights

Project Timelines:

  • Construction 2011
  • Operation 2013-2015

Consultation Process: None

Status:

  • In the summer of 2015, BIG was shut down by the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment, following two unauthorized discharges. A stop work order is still in effect for the Property, and the company, Banks Island Gold, has since declared bankruptcy and has entered into a receivership. Staking holds have been issued on all mineral rights in the area to prevent any development in the area before a remediation plan can be put into effect.
  • Following the tailings spill that occurred on site in the summer of 2015, the Yellow Giant gold mine on Banks Island declared bankruptcy in January of 2016 and is no longer operational. The GEM team is still awaiting the final decision from the First Nation’s Health Authority regarding our proposal for funding to perform a Human and Ecological Health Risk Assessment for the harvesting areas surrounding the site of the tailings spill. It was recently announced that CEO Ben Mossman and mine manager Dirk Meckert are each charged with 17 counts of failing to comply with their permits, plus one count of failing to report a spill of polluting. Both parties are scheduled to appear in court in Prince Rupert on September 7, 2016. Members of the GEM team will be in attendance to observe the proceedings and report on the subsequent rulings. (Sept. 6, 2016)

Summary of GEM Engagement

Under direction from elected chief and council, the GEM office initially fought against the development of this project. During operations, GEM reviewed annual and monthly reports produced by BIG. Gitxaala was involved during operations through environmental monitoring.

Following the unauthorized discharges in 2015, the GEM team, with the support of biophysical consultants, has performed an initial environmental site assessment (ESA) to determine the magnitude of damage and significance of effects. This information is also being used to inform a Human Health Ecological Risk Assessment (HHERA) to determine the potential for adverse effects to Gitxaala human health through the consumption of traditional food from Banks Island. The findings of the HHERA will also serve to inform a remediation plan for the area.

The GEM office has also been engaging directly with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Environment regarding the future of the inactive Banks Island Gold property.

Prince Rupert Port Expansion

Website: rupertport.com/future/fairview-terminal-phase-2

Project Description:

During Phase I development, a 360 metre section of the existing wharf was widened by 20m on a pile supported apron structure and the existing 24 hectare terminal was rebuilt and reconfigured. Phase II includes both a northern and southern expansion of the terminal. Cullen Grummitt & Roe UK (CGR) prepared the detailed design of the Phase II North expansion of the terminal, now underway and anticipated to be complete in mid-2017. The project will expand the wharf to 800m in length and enable an increase in throughout capacity to 1.3 million TEUs per annum. The expansion consists of the following works:

  • Dredging and construction of a 155m long and 40m wide piled concrete wharf.
  • Reclamation of 3ha of land at the north end of the terminal.
  • Modification of the Small Craft Harbours breakwater and float. Widening 250m of wharf from the existing northern caisson structure by 20m.
  • Addition of 36m to the southern apron structure.
  • Construction of mooring dolphin and walkway.
  • Excavation/construction of a container park east of the terminal.
  • Upgrade of rail capacity and installation of additional rails and cranes on the new wharf extension.

Project Type: Port expansion

Proponent: Port of Prince Rupert

Facility Location: Prince Rupert, BC

Project Timelines:

  • Construction 2015-2020
  • Operations current-unknown

Consultation Process: None

Status: In construction phase

Summary of GEM Engagement

Prince Rupert Port Authority holds Environmental Advisory Board meetings regularly where it discusses environmental issues with board members and stakeholders. Gitxaala Environmental Monitoring is a part of the Environmental Advisory Board and engages with the Prince Rupert Port Authority in matters that pertain to Gitxaala environmental values.

Sea Breeze Wind Farm:

Sea Breeze Power Corp. is proposing to construct a wind farm on Mount Hays, immediately adjacent to the city of Prince Rupert, BC. A wind farm is a grouping of wind turbines that harness the energy present in the wind and use it to generate electricity, which can be inserted into the local power grid to help serve the electrical needs of British Columbians. The total capacity of the Project will depend on the volume of the electricity sales market that can be accessed by the Proponent. However, for the purposes of permitting, Sea Breeze is considering permitting the project under the Development Plan (DP) process administered by the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) with an assumed capacity of 48 MW or less.

A project of this capacity does not trigger full environmental assessments under the BC Environmental Assessment Act (BCEA Act) or the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The GEM Team in currently negotiating a Capacity Funding Agreement and will be participating in the environmental review working group that clean energy projects of this size are required to undergo..

AltaGas:

AltaGas Ltd. is proposing to construct a new propane export facility on a site on Ridley Terminals Inc. (RTI). The Project will be designed for propane and include the capability to handle butane in the future. The Project will be called the “Ridley Island Propane Export Facility”. The proposed Project will receive liquid propane from BC and Alberta via the Canadian National Railway (CN) existing rail line, which will be transferred to intermediate pressurized storage bullets on the Project site. The propane will then be cooled so that it can be stored and shipped at atmospheric pressure. The cooled propane will be transferred to Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) using the existing RTI coal jetty for transport to Asia and other markets.

The Project will allow for anticipated throughput of approximately 1.2 million tonnes of propane per annum. This translates to offloading approximately 50-60 rail cars per day, and loading approximately 20-30 propane carrying ships a year. Onsite total storage capacity will be, in aggregate, less than 100,000m3 which means that the Project is neither a Designated Project under CEAA 2012 nor a Reviewable Project under BCEAA. The environmental aspects of the Project will be reviewed by federal authorities, including at a minimum the Prince Rupert Port Authority (PRPA) and RTI, under Section 67 of CEAA 2012. The GEM team is participating in this environmental review and is currently negotiating a Capacity Funding agreement with the proponent.

Kitimat Clean Refinery Project:

Type: Typical EA Process (Active and Complete)    

Status: Pre-Application
Category: Energy Pre-application
Start Date:    2016/05/19

Comments:    Kitimat Clean Ltd. (Proponent) proposes to develop and operate an oil refinery and associated infrastructure to supply refined fuels to Asian markets. Refined fuel products would be delivered from the refinery site, approximately 13 km north of Kitimat, to a new marine terminal, approximately 12 km south of Kitimat harbour, using three 23 km long pipelines and from there transported by ship to Asia. The Kitimat Clean Refinery Project (Kitimat Clean) would be in operation for up to 50 years, following a construction period of up to 5 years. The Proponent expects decommissioning to take an additional 5 years.
Location:    Kitimat Area (Refine. 13km N; Marine term. 12km W)

Summary of GEM Engagement:
Will be participating in upcoming working group meetings and reviewing all for the environmental assessment.

Currently negotiating a capacity funding agreement.

Pacific Future Energy Refinery Project:

Type: Typical EA Process (Active and Complete)    Status: Pre-Application
Category: Energy    Pre-application
Start Date: 2016/07/04

Location: Between Terrace and Kitimat, BC

Comments: Vancouver-based Pacific Future Energy Corporation is proposing to build and operate a petroleum oil refinery in northwest B.C. between the City of Terrace and the District Municipality of Kitimat within an industrial-zoned site locally known as Dubose Flats. The proposed project would refine up to 200,000 barrels per day (or 31,795 cubic meters per day (m3/d)) of Canadian bitumen into diesel, gasoline, and other products for domestic and international markets. Bitumen would be shipped in a near-solid form called neatbit in rail cars using existing rail infrastructure.

Summary of GEM Engagement:
Will be participating in upcoming working group meetings and reviewing all materials for the environmental assessment.
Currently negotiating a capacity funding agreement.

Contact Gitxaała Environmental Monitoring (GEM)

The GEM department  is located at the Gitxaała Territorial Management Agency Office.

280-110 1st Ave West, Prince Rupert, BC V8J 3S1
Phone: 1-250-624-3339

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