Pacific NorthWest LNG asked for feedback on its proposed LNG terminal on Lelu Island during two open houses last week and people on the North Coast were happy to respond.
The number of people attending the April 7 meeting in Port Edward and the April 8 meeting in Prince Rupert rose from previous open houses, with this being the first open house following the submission of the project's environmental assessment application. Pacific NorthWest LNG senior advisor of corporate affairs Spencer Sproule estimating a 50 per cent jump in attendance in Prince Rupert.
"It was really encouraging to see people come in to get information on the project, to see new visuals and new designs and to learn about the regulatory process going forward," he said.
While boards at the open house covered everything from marine mammals to on-island vegetation, Sproule said what interested people the most related to vessel movement around the terminal and employment.
"The thing I heard the most was on the revised jetty trestle and marine terminal. A lot of marine users appreciated the revised design of the jetty to allow for boats to pass underneath ... and I heard similar comments about the bridge connecting Lelu Island to the mainland," he said, noting those changes were made based on feedback received at previous open houses.
"A lot of people also talked to our jobs and training representatives about construction and operational jobs. They were asking about what kind of jobs would be available, what skills would be needed and what training they should seek to prepare for those jobs."
The next open house on the project is expected to be later this summer, although it will be organized by the regulator and the dates have yet to be determined. However, with the public comment period continuing until May 1, Sproule said people can still find the information they need to provide feedback, questions or concerns.
"If people weren't able to attend the open house, they should visit our website as we will have all of the boards that were there last week, the berthing simulator and links to all of our environmental assessment documents posted online," he said.