Wet’suet’en Hereditary Chiefs Renew Calls for a Stop-Work Order Over Dam Overflow Which CGL Says was to Manage Rising Water Levels

Calls to suspend work on the Coastal GasLink pipeline are being renewed by the Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs and David Suzuki Foundation.

For the second time this month, the pair are calling for a stop-work order over what they call a failure to control sediment on the Clore River.

Wet’suwet’en officials say they observed and photographed a dam rupture on the River during a flyover last weekend.

They say they observed washouts on both sides of the trenching, resulting in flooded equipment, debris, and sediment floating in the worksite.

Their concerns are that the sediment floating downstream could severely damage salmon and steelhead populations.

But, CGL says that the temporary overflow of the barrier was initiated intentionally to manage the rise in water levels prompted by warmer temperatures.

They say work was paused during this time, and that inspectors have found no significant increase in turbidity levels or impact to wildlife.

An inspection of the site by the BC Oil and Gas Commission following previous concerns at the site found no signs of non-compliance by CGL.

Nonetheless, the groups are calling for work to be suspended until a meeting can be set up between the Hereditary Chiefs and regulators.

You can view all the photos taking during the flyover at this link.