The Nisga’a Lisims Government said it has not been consulted about any proposed northern oil pipeline corridor, despite recent media reports and leaked information suggesting routes and port locations within the Nass Area are being considered.
In a statement released Tuesday, the government said it became aware of the speculation after media reports began circulating about leaked information from Alberta’s consultations on a potential northern oil pipeline project.
“Most of the port options are within the Nass Area, and some of the pipeline routes also cross the Nass Area (the area covered by the Nisga’a Final Agreement),”.
The Nisga’a Final Agreement, which took effect in 2000, was B.C.’s first modern treaty and gives the Nisga’a Nation significant authority over land and resource decisions within the Nass Area. The agreement provides the Nation with constitutionally protected rights and decision-making authority over Nisga’a Lands in the Nass Valley.
The Nisga’a Lisims Government said it has not been involved in any discussions regarding the proposal.
“We can confirm that the Nisga’a Lisims Government has held no discussions with Alberta and the Federal Government about any oil pipeline proposals and has not participated in any of the meetings recently organized in Prince Rupert and elsewhere.”
The statement comes as reports suggest Alberta is examining potential corridors that could move oil to a northern B.C. port. No formal project involving Nisga’a territory has been publicly announced.
The Nisga’a government said it was unaware that routes or port locations within its territory were being considered until the reports surfaced.
“We have long known that the Nisga’a Nation enjoys some of the best remaining access to the coast. It is not surprising that others are starting to figure this out; however, until this story broke, we were not aware that corridors or port locations on our land were being considered by the Alberta government.”
Officials also noted that any development on Nisga’a lands would require the Nation’s approval.
“All Nisga’a citizens can rest assured that despite this ill-conceived process being advanced by the Alberta Government, nothing can happen on our lands without our consent; our Treaty guarantees it.”
The government also reiterated that its focus remains on projects already being advanced by the Nation.
“Our Nation is singularly focused on developing our own gas projects, Ksi Lisims and PRGT, in a way that is compatible with our values and long-term objectives.”
The proposed Ksi Lisims LNG project near Gingolx would export liquefied natural gas supplied through the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline. The project is currently undergoing regulatory review.
The Nisga’a Lisims Government said any future development proposals within the Nass Area would require the Nation’s involvement and consent under the treaty.
