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CGL must revise impact assessment on Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n Healing Center

Environmental Assessment Office not satisfied with report鈥檚 shortcomings
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B.C.鈥檚 Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) is requiring Coastal GasLink to consult with the Wet鈥檚uwet鈥檈n to update a technical report addressing pipeline impacts on the Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n Healing Centre.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Environment said despite the report鈥檚 shortcomings, CGL is authorized to continue pre-construction activities while it revises the document with Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n input.

CGL was given 30 days to submit the revised draft.

Completion of the report was a condition of the company鈥檚 environmental assessment certification for the portion of the project that affects Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n territory and a portion of Gidimt鈥檈n territory.

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In January the Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n formally requested the Environmental Assessment Office withhold final construction permits until the environmental, economic, social, heritage and health impacts on the healing centre were known and submitted.

On Wednesday the EAO released a letter agreeing on most Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n concerns related to the healing centre鈥檚 economy, domestic water supply, and architectural sites.

However Dr. Karla Tait, a Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n House Member, said in a release today she finds it distressing the Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n will have to collaborate further with CGL and wants the province to take further action against the company.

鈥淲e identified the gaps in CGL鈥檚 report months ago, by letters and in person. Had the province intervened to confirm the reports鈥 shortcomings, they could have prevented the injunction enforcement, sparing us the violent removal from our lands and sparing the country the subsequent economic pressures of solidarity actions. The continued presence of the CGL and the RCMP in our territory is unlawful and this decision by EAO gives the province grounds to call for their immediate evacuation.鈥

READ MORE: Trudeau: Time for blockades to end and Indigenous leaders to work with government

Coastal GasLink could not be reached for comment. In January the company said it was committed to working with the Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n to fulfill requirements needed by EAO.

鈥淭he environmental assessment certification was issued with a number of conditions, which have been satisfied with exception of certain work within the Morice River area as we were prevented accessing this area due to the previous blockade and we are working to satisfy the condition related to that area,鈥 a CGL spokesperson said.

The Unist鈥檕t鈥檈n Healing Center is an Indigenous-owned health facility and wilderness lodge with a strong focus on culture that requires a pristine water source, plants, medicines and wildlife.



About the Author: Quinn Bender

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