Powerful northern B.C. coalition inks pact to save Skeena River from LNG plant

Jan 25, 2016 | 9:22 AM

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. — A declaration to protect what environmentalists say is crucial salmon habitat in northwestern British Columbia could be the latest hurdle for development of a liquefied natural gas plant near Prince Rupert.

A coalition of indigenous leaders, politicians and others has signed a declaration to permanently protect Lelu Island and the nearby Flora Bank from industrial development.

The region at the mouth of the Skeena River, is considered vital to the ecosystem of B.C.’s second-largest salmon-bearing waterway.

Petronas, the Malaysian-owned oil and gas giant, hopes to develop a $36 billion liquefied natural gas facility on the island, but Lax Kw’alaams hereditary Chief Yahaan says support to stop the project is overwhelming.