The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) has made funding available to Canadians and Indigenous groups to participate in the impact assessment process for an LNG export project proposed for Pearse Island in the Pacific Coast province of British Columbia.
Pearse Island is located in the Portland Inlet of BC and a total of 790 kilometres (490 miles) north of Vancouver.
Three partners
The project is proposed by three parties, the Nisga'a First Nation and two project companies, Rockies LNG LP and Western LNG LLC.
The venture on Pearse Island is called the Ksi Lisims LNG project and will comprise a floating liquefaction facility and a marine terminal, located at Wil Milit on the island. “As proposed, the Ksi Lisims LNG would produce up to 12 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas and be in operation for at least 30 years,” said the IAAC statement offering the funding.
“Natural gas would be transported to the site via a natural gas transmission pipeline originating in northeast BC,” it added.
The IAAC noted that the Nisga’a Nation, is represented by the Nisga’a Lisims Government, which was party to the Nisga’a Final Agreement peace treaty for Canada and BC.
“The Nisga’a Final Agreement is a treaty and land claims agreement within the meaning of Sections 25 and 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and represents the first modern treaty in BC,” added the IAAC in its description of the project participants.
“Funding is available for eligible individuals and groups to assist their participation in the impact assessment's planning phase,” said the IAAC.
Review
“Specifically, it covers reviewing and providing comments on the draft information requirements that will inform the assessment,” it added.
The agency stated that applications received by March 20, 2022, would be considered for funding.
The Ksi Lisims LNG project is subject to the federal Impact Assessment Act and British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Act.
“The agency and British Columbia's Environmental Assessment Office are working cooperatively during the initial phase of the project's review,” said the IAAC.
The IAAC added that as a next step, it would determine whether a federal impact assessment is required for the project.
“If one is required, the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change will consider the Government of British Columbia's request for the province to conduct the assessment on behalf of the federal government,” explained the IAAC.
“If approved, the agency will continue to provide funding to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in the substituted process,” it stated.
