Stop toxic pollution in Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound

Hold Woodfibre LNG accountable!

Woodfibre LNG has applied for a Waste Discharge permit to release 1,600 cubic meters of effluent into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound every day! That's over 233 Olympic swimming pools of effluent every year.

We learned about this proposed waste discharge through a single printed ad in the Squamish Chief. And the only way to learn more about what types of contaminants might be released is to visit the Squamish Public Library and review six printed volumes of data. It's 2023, and Woodfibre LNG can't even provide a digital copy for the public to review.

This highly unethical approach is an indication of Woodfibre LNG's poor commitment to ensuring the safety or the community and the ecological integrity of the biodiverse Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound ecosystem.

We forced Woodfibre LNG to repost the original ad, and successfully negotiated with the BC Energy Regulator for more time and (gasp!) a PDF copy of the application. The regulator will now consider any written submissions prior to August.

Can you join us to hold Woodfibre LNG accountable?

Ecological impacts of effluent release

Released effluent may impact the water quality in Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and in groundwater, which in turn has the potential to affect local aquatic life and/or other water users. Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound has only recently begun to recover from the impacts of industrialization and is experiencing an ongoing ecological revival, including the return of Steller sea lions and sea otters. Herring populations have rebounded since the closure of the pulp mill, and spawn events have been recorded annually at and around the Woodfibre site since 2011. Allowing Woodfibre to release large volumes of effluent into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound puts all of that at risk.

Woodfibre LNG has a history of failing to report spills. The company did not follow proper protocol after a spill of around 3,000 litres of wash water and leachate in 2016. And earlier this year, Woodfibre LNG was issued a warning that the project is non-compliant with the Environmental Assessment Certificate notification and submission requirements, and twelve of its conditions. How can we trust that Woodfibre LNG will manage wastewater release responsibly when they have a history of failing to comply with basic regulations?