OREANDA-NEWS. July 17, 2014. In British Columbia, we are proposing to develop a liquefied natural gas export facility on Ridley Island, near Prince Rupert.

During 2013, we carried out extensive biodiversity baseline surveys and continue to monitor biodiversity against these. We also worked on an environmental and social impact assessment, which is due to be completed and submitted to the government in 2014.

We are conducting environmental studies into subjects such as air and water quality, freshwater and marine fisheries, vegetation and terrestrial wildlife and habitat, and marine mammals and birds. Once fieldwork is completed, we will begin detailed analysis of the data collected.

These studies will inform the environmental and social impact assessment, and help us to design our project in a way that minimises disruptions to wildlife and fish, and reduces our environmental footprint.

During 2013, we worked with the Vancouver Aquarium to support research into marine biodiversity, to help us understand the marine environmental conditions near the site of our project. This includes supporting Aquavan, a mobile marine biodiversity education centre for schools.

Marine species research in Canada
During the year, we began providing financial support to the British Columbia Cetacean Sightings Network (BCCSN), a conservation and research programme run by the Vancouver Aquarium. The Network uses a volunteer network of ‘citizen scientists’ to collect sightings of British Columbia’s sea turtles, whales, dolphins and other marine mammals.

Each marine sighting report is verified and entered in a database at the Vancouver Aquarium. We will support BCCSN at least until the end of December 2014, with the possibility of extension beyond that date.