An emergency resolution was passed by the Union of BC Municipalities
(UBCM) on Friday stating that "local governments were not actively
consulted regarding Kinder Morgan’s historic or planned expansion of oil
tanker traffic".
Kinder Morgan has plans to
dramatically increase the size and frequency of oil tanker traffic
through Burrard Inlet, the Gulf Islands and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
The resolution calls on the
National Energy Board (NEB) to conduct "meaningful public consultations,
including direct engagement with affected municipalities, regional
authorities and BC First Nations in regards to any application to expand
the amount of oil transported by pipeline and tanker."
"Our local governments have been
denied meaningful consultation on oil tankers by the NEB,” said Eric
Swanson, No Tankers Campaign Director for the Dogwood Initiative. “We
were glad local leaders stood up to the NEB and passed this resolution.”
Oil exports via tanker through
the Westridge terminal in Burrard Inlet have increased from an average
of 25,000 barrels a day to 80,000 barrels a day in the last five years.
In July, 2011 the National Energy Board denied requests to hold
consultations with local governments and residents on this topic.
The UBCM resolution also states
that "sixty one of BC’s First Nations have signed the ‘Save the Fraser’
declaration prohibiting oil pipeline and tanker traffic expansion
through their lands, territories and watersheds, or ocean migration
routes of Fraser River salmon," which includes the south coast waters of
BC.
"This builds on the strong position taken by First Nations opposed
to oil tankers and pipelines on the coast. It’s encouraging that
BC’s elected mayors and councilors have declared, en masse, that the
First Nations ban on oil tankers on the south coast is a reason why
cities and towns need to act,” said Josh Paterson, staff Lawyer at West
Coast Environmental Law.
“Governments need to respect the decisions of
First Nations about their lands and waters, so it’s encouraging to
see local governments recognize the leadership of First Nations on
protecting the coast and the Fraser River," said Paterson.
"The very public fights against
the Enbridge pipeline up north and the Keystone Pipeline in the US are
increasing the pressure to quietly export more oil through Vancouver
Harbour," said Ben West, Healthy Communities Campaigner for the
Wilderness Committee.
"But this resolution should put everyone on notice
that the people of BC want to have the final say when it comes to
determining what constitutes an acceptable risk to our coast," said
West.
