About 35 activists gathered outside the Burns Lake office of the Regional District of Bulkley Nechako (RDBN) on Sept. 12, 2013, to show their opposition to planned preliminary geotechnical field work related the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project.
The Enbridge project is conducting what it describes as ‘type-three’ field work at several locations throughout the RDBN, including two in the Burns Lake area and several soutwest of Houston, with most concentrated around the Morice Lake area.
The predominant message of the protesters was ‘no means no’, with activists expressing frustration with ongoing field work in the region while the recently concluded federal Joint Review Panel on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project (JRP) continues to deliberate its findings and has not reached its own conclusion on the project.
The peaceful but noisy protest did not go unnoticed by members of the RDBN rural directors committee.
During the meeting which prompted the protest, Bill Miller, RDBN chair and director of area B, acknowledged the protesters who were earlier outside.
“We don’t have any authority over the whole process and we’re being put in the limelight by the province to comment on things we have not jurisdiction over,” Miller said.
“The protest outside exemplifies that,” he added.
“We advise the province to consult with nearby residents. That’s the key concern here, what comes from the public.”