Canada: governments, First Nations pen PNW LNG monitoring agreement

An agreement on environmental monitoring of the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG project, a first of its kind, has been signed between the government of Canada, the government of British Columbia, the Lax Kw’alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation.

Through this agreement, First Nations will work directly with provincial and federal authorities as part of a committee to ensure the Petronas-led Pacific NorthWest LNG project is developed in the most environmentally sustainable way possible.

The committee will enable enhanced environmental oversight of the Pacific NorthWest LNG project and the active engagement of local First Nations, a joint statement by the parties involved reads.

It will foster information-sharing and continuous environmental monitoring and oversight and also enable the Lax Kw’alaams Band and Metlakatla First Nation to provide input into the project’s environmental management plans and follow-up programs.

The committee is the product of input and feedback from Indigenous peoples regarding their desire to play an active role in monitoring the project on an ongoing basis, the statement reads.

The cooperative agreement sets out the principles, structure, and roles and responsibilities of an Environmental Monitoring Committee for the Pacific NorthWest LNG project, in British Columbia.

The Pacific NorthWest LNG project received federal environmental assessment approval in September 2016, subject to over 190 legally-binding conditions to be fulfilled by the proponent throughout the life of the project.

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and BC Environmental Assessment Office remain responsible for ensuring ongoing compliance with their respective legally-binding conditions for the project.