Speed of engineering and construction is outpacing meaningful consultation with local First Nation. HARTLEY BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA - (January 21, 2014) - Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga'at First Nation is reacting to Chevron Canada’s recent announcement of an EPC contract with Fluor Corporation and JGC, for the Kitimat LNG project in Bish Cove, British Columbia.

"We are disappointed that Chevron feels it can move forward with engineering, procurement and construction at a time when it has failed to consult meaningfully with our First Nation,” says Clifton. “Chevron says that this is the most advanced of the proposed LNG projects in British Columbia but that is simply not the case when it comes to consulting with Gitga’at.”

The 2006 Environmental Assessment process excluded the Gitga’at First Nation and consideration of any impacts in their territory. The Kitimat LNG Partnership was to have worked with Gitga’at to complete a full and comprehensive review of the project impacts on Gitga’at interests by the end of last year, but they have not even started that process with Gitga’at.

Gitga'at territory encompasses approximately 7,500 square kilometres of land and water, including a major portion of Douglas Channel, which is the route LNG carriers would have to travel to get to and from the LNG terminal in Kitimat. The LNG carriers will travel right by the Gitga’at home community of Hartley Bay, through traditional fishing grounds.

The EPC contract includes completion of the existing Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) as well as engineering and procurement services for the proposed initial phases of the Kitimat LNG project.

“Consultation with the Gitga’at is a legal requirement,” said Chief Councillor Clifton. “There is no way that this project is at an ‘advanced’ stage when consultation with one of the most directly affected First Nations has yet to really get off the ground.”

Map of Gitga'at territory (free for use by media): http://ow.ly/sMbcm

Contact Information:

Andrew Frank Communications Officer Gitga’at First Nation 604-367-2112