Pacific NorthWest LNG has made changes to its terminal design that would eliminate the need for extensive dredging related to the marine berth.
“Based on the feedback we heard from the local communities, First Nations and stakeholders, we are proposing to redesign the marine infrastructure associated with our project to eliminate the need for dredging at the marine terminal and significantly minimize the infrastructure immediately next to Flora Bank,” explained senior corporate affairs advisor Spencer Sproule.
“We are proposing a combined suspension bridge and trestle. The suspension bridge would not require any piling on Flora Bank and would connect to a trestle that would extend to the marine terminal. The marine terminal could be approximately 2.7 kilometres west of Lelu Island in naturally deep water in Chatham Sound. The proposed suspension bridge would provide at least 11.3 metres of clearance at high tide, allowing enough room for all current fishing vessel traffic to continue their traditional marine use and travel under the suspension bridge to access Porpoise Channel.”
As well as eliminating the need for dredging, the company has done away with plans for an on-island work camp that includes utility hook-ups, with any camp now being completely self-sufficient. However, the company said it still plans to have “a robust suite of health care providers onsite”.
“Our potential engineering, procurement and construction contractors have advised us that there may not be sufficient room to comfortably and safely house temporary construction workers on Lelu Island,” said Sproule.
“We will be working with our to-be-selected construction contractor and third party-owned and operated accommodation service providers to secure accommodations for our construction workforce,” said Sproule, pointing to a worker accommodation site in Port Edward.
While the changes were submitted to the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office last month, Sproule said the company does not anticipate the design changes to have any impact on the timeline for a final investment decision, which is still expected to be made by the end of the year.
Pacific NorthWest LNG hosted open houses in Prince Rupert and Port Edward on Monday and Tuesday and said they continue to welcome feedback.
“We continue work with the local communities, First Nations and all levels of government in an effort to build a world class LNG facility that will benefit the region for decades to come,” he said.