Wet’suwet’en members say pipeline company removed cultural property

HOUSTON, B.C. — The provincial government says it will inspect the site of a planned natural gas pipeline following allegations the company building the project is violating its permits.

Members of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation are alleging the company trying to build a natural gas pipeline through its territory “willfully, illegally, and violently destroyed” cultural and private property this weekend.

They say Coastal GasLink is engaging in construction activity without an archaeological impact assessment.

In a statement issued Monday, members of the nation say the area in question is not included in Coastal GasLink’s plans and the company has not provided copies of any work permits for the area.

It is the same area along a logging road leading to the company’s planned work site where RCMP enforced an injunction on Jan. 7, arresting 14 people and removing a barrier on the road.

RELATED: Coastal GasLink stops work on pipeline over trapline dispute in northern B.C.

Coastal GasLink says in a statement that all work it’s doing is “approved and permitted and in full compliance” with its environmental assessment certificate and the company has met all required pre-construction conditions.

It says the property in question was a tent structure on the road, plus two other tents in a pullout area that were deemed unsafe or unstable by crews.

It says the areas are active work zones and any obstructions impeding crews from safely accessing them is in contravention to the court order.

The Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Petroleum Resources says the joint site inspection will be conducted by the province’s Environmental Assessment Office and the B-C Oil and Gas Commission next week.

Coastal GasLink is working to build a natural gas pipeline from northeastern BC to LNG’s export facility on the coast as part of a $40 billion project.

Top Stories

Top Stories

Most Watched Today