Regional District Opposes Enbridge Gateway Pipeline; Passes Resolution Calling for Legislated Ban on Oil Tanker Traffic in BC’s Northern Coastal Waters

The resolution is the second local government resolution in less than a week opposing the Enbridge pipeline. The City of Terrace passed a resolution on February 13, 2012.

“This is another powerful statement that elected local governments in Northern British Columbia are opposed to the Enbridge Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project,” said Jennifer Rice, a City of Prince Rupert Councillor who proposed the resolution. “Any effort to ram this project through will be a direct attack on our First Nations, the fishing industry and other coastal economies. We encourage development, but the risks are too great with this particular proposal.”

The Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will result in increased crude oil tanker traffic and risk of accidental oil spills in northern coastal waters in British Columbia;

AND WHEREAS a crude oil spill will have devastating and long lasting effects on the Pacific North Coast area that is recognized for its unique and diverse ocean ecosystems, which provide critical marine habitat and marine resources that sustain the social, cultural, environmental and economic health of coastal communities, including First Nations communities:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the SQCRD be opposed to any expansion of bulk crude oil tanker traffic as well as bitumen export in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the SQCRD petition the federal government to establish a legislated ban on bulk crude oil tanker traffic and bitumen export through Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia.

Opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project has been growing in recent weeks as a National Energy Board review panel visits communities in Northern British Columbia. More than 2000 residents took part in a rally against the project, hosted by the Gitga’at Nation in Prince Rupert on February 4, 2012.