Russian Science Delegation Says Pacific Northwest LNG Could Collapse Skeena Salmon
After visiting the proposed Pacific Northwest LNG site on Lelu Island, a group of Russian scientists who have researched LNG’s environmental impacts on salmon and marine life in Russia concluded that Lelu Island / Flora Bank is the worst possible place to put an LNG facility. The tour follows on the heels of last week's release of the CEAA draft report of the PNW LNG project, a report which has drawn criticism from northern groups and scientists for dismissing and understating the impacts the project could have on salmon in the Skeena estuary.
At the invitation of a number of northern First Nations and community groups in the Skeena Region, the scientists toured northern B.C. and shared their experiences with communities, town councils, and watershed groups. They visited PNW LNG's proposed project site on Lelu Island and Flora Bank, which provide critical salmon habitat for the second-largest salmon run in Canada.
"Sakhalin Island and Lelu Island have two things in common - wild salmon and LNG. My Canadian colleagues invited me, along with three Russian scientists, to share our experience of the environmental impacts of the Sakhalin II LNG project, which has been in operation for 10 years on the opposite side of the Pacific Ocean", said Dimitry Lisitsyn, member of the Russian delegation and Director of Sakhalin Environment Watch. "We have a chance to help the people of the Skeena watershed protect one of the most famous and rich wild salmon sanctuaries in the world. With the dramatic decline of our wild salmon, I really hope this will not be replicated in the Skeena estuary".
Dr. Aleksandr Shubin, a salmon ecologist with the Sakhalin Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, said “the LNG facility proposed for Lelu Island on the Skeena estuary will have serious impacts on salmon”.
The scientists say that the LNG facility on Sakhalin Island Russia had many impacts on habitat and marine life. Their pink salmon runs in Aniva Bay, once the third largest in the works, collapsed after an LNG facility was built by Shell, and they believe the facility contributed to the collapse. Shubin noted “ the Sakhalin LNG site is over 30km away from the closest major salmon River, while the PNW LNG site is located right on top of the most critical salmon habitat in the Skeena estuary - the impacts will be much greater here in the Skeena”
Dr. Alexander Vedenev, Head of the Ocean Noise Laboratory, Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences stated “the noise from the tankers and operation of the LNG facility will effect salmon behaviour up to 3 kilometers away, juvenile salmon will likely avoid this critical habitat”. “ During the three years of construction, pile driving, underwater blasting and dredging will kill fish close to these activities, and cause changes in behaviour and avoidance of this habitat”.
Dr. Victor Afanasiev, Head of Coastal Geosystem Lab, Institute of Marine Geology & Geophysics, Russian Academy of Science believes “the construction of the tanker loading jetty, suspension bridge, and loading dock could destabilize Flora bank. The pilings, bridge abutments, and pipeline will totally alter the currents and cause erosion, which could collapse Flora Bank”.
The scientists also noted that in Russia, the proponent would have been required by law to assess at least three potential LNG sites to help minimize impacts. PNW LNG was only required to assess Lelu Island. The LNG facility on Sakhalin had to follow World Bank environmental, social and health standards to receive financing for construction.
The Russians will be in Vancouver to wrap up their tour on February 18th. They will discuss their findings and share their own LNG experience at a press conference hosted by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs on Thursday February 18th at 11:30am. The press conference will take place at the Musqueam Community Centre, during UBCIC's annual chiefs meeting, the Russian scientists will be joined by Grand Chief Stewart Phillip (President of Union of BC Indian Chiefs),
Chief Bob Chamberlin (Vice-President of Union of BC Indian Chiefs and Chair of First Nations Wild Salmon Alliance), and Duane Howard, Actor (The Revenant). Please see attached document for UBCIC media advisory.
-30-
For More Information on Russian Delegation and Northern Tour:
Dimitry Lisitsyn, spokesperson for Russian delegation, +7 9241901022,sakhalinwatch@gmail.com
Greg Knox, Northern Media coordinator for Russian Delegation: 250-615-1990, gregk@skeenawild.org
Leila Darwish, Vancouver media interviews, Sakhalin photos and northern tour video clips : 778-679-2907,leila@skeenawatershed.com
For UBCIC press conference, please contact:
Don Bain Executive Director UBCIC, 604-831-9709