When it comes to Lelu Island issues there is no shortage of science to review

Lelu Island and the area surrounding it has been the focal point for much of the discussion on late when it comes to the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG terminal for the region, with local opposition making much use of a stream of information related to their concerns as to that site for any form of industrial development.

As we noted last week, those that oppose the Lelu Island proposal have been busy on social media to provide their case, using the work of Dr. Barb Faggetter and a number of other contributors to highlight what they consider the dangers to the eco-system of the Lelu Island area.

Dr. Faggetter has been with the group from the very early days of the proposed development, her work on the file of Lelu Island gaining the notice of Prince Rupert City Council, which in late March  hired her on as the city's resident scientist on matters related to their own LNG development plans for Tuck Inlet.

And while she still works on those issues for the City of Prince Rupert, she is also very much in the forefront of the Lelu Island concerns, most recently appearing in a video presentation from the organization Skeena Wild.



The other side of the Lelu Island debate is also getting its time in social media.

The Petronas led Pacific NorthWest LNG project also has enlisted the work of science to make their case for the proposed development, posting their findings to a video as well, appearing on the Pacific NorthWest LNG You Tube page.

Their video features a review from their own professional biologist, Brian Clark, who has been conducting his research on behalf of the Pacific NorthWest project.

In his video overview he looks to outline some of the changes that Pacific NorthWest LNG has made to their proposal for the Terminal project and how they believe their project can co-exist with the environment of Lelu Island.



In the end, all of the presentations, information pieces and video reviews will make for nothing but background to the final decision that comes from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, which is currently conducting is comprehensive review of the Pacific NorthWest LNG proposal.

That process is currently paused at Day 240 of the 365 day time frame, as the CEAA awaits further background on some outstanding questions. That request for additional information from the proponent related to the Environmental Impact statement was made on February 23rd.

The clock so to speak, will not start again until that information is received.

While the current media campaigns are making for much in the way of community engagement, they for the most part won't have much impact on the CEAA which takes a much larger view of the entire process ahead and then offers its findings after all of the evidence has been considered.

That decision is not expected to be delivered until the September at the earliest, however a draft report could be released over the summer, providing for some conditions for the LNG project to deliver before any federal approval is granted.

You can review the full listing of items related to the Pacific NorthWest LNG project from the CEAA page here.

Any final investment decision from the Petronas group most likely won't be provided until the CEAA has delivered its final word on the proposed development.

For more background on the Pacific NorthWest LNG project see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review