To the citizens of the Northern Rockies

“Northern Rockies Regional Municipality (NRRM) wants to formally respond to a recent article organised by Damien Gillis in consult with Fort Nelson First Nation (FNFN) and published in ‘The Common Sense Canadian’ newsletter which their publishers dub as BC’s premier environmental news journal.
http://thecanadian.org/item/1805-fort-nelson-first-nation-to-discuss-massive-shale-gas-water-licenses-nov-13-in-vancouver
Council respectfully disagrees with the conclusions of above noted article. This article negatively exaggerates the perils of water usage associated with shale gas extraction and alludes that both Government and Industry’s scientific information cannot be trusted. The claim regarding EnCana’s water licence application is deceptive and inaccurate; in particular the assertion that if the application is approved it will permit the Fort Nelson River and its water flow to be dammed and diverted by a 20 metre concrete barrier across the river. We contacted Encana Corporation and they have confirmed that their plan calls for an intake on the side of the river, not a dam, and that the maximum amount of water involves amounts to 0.03% of the mean annual flow. The attached artist’s rendering of the intake, provided by Encana and attached to the letter (see page 2), illustrates the scale of the proposed intake facility.
NRRM Mayor and Council share the same concerns that all residents have regarding the water usage in our region. We want to progress economic development, such as shale gas extraction, in an environmentally responsible manner using scientifically proven technological advancements that measure and quantify water volumes and industry accountability. We want a sustainable economic future balanced with industrial development for the Northern Rockies.
NRRM Mayor and Council rely on scientific and technical information such as rainfall charts or river depth data available through Environment Canada and the Oil and Gas Commission. For example, the following river water chart respecting the Liard River water since 1942 is available from Environment Canada’s website: http://www.wsc.ec.gc.ca/applications/H2O/report-eng.cfm?station=10ED001&report=monthly&year=2011.
Another quantifiable tool for statutory decision makers is the North East Water Tool (NEWT) that ensures environmental flows in all rivers, streams and lakes in the northeast are maintained. NEWT is a hydrology tool that supports the decision-making process and is designed to query locations on rivers and lakes throughout northeast BC to determine the monthly and annual runoff at that location.
NEWT is further designed to query all short-term water use approvals and all water licences issued pursuant to the Water Act, to measure how much water is used, such information is not anecdotal. Further information can be obtained from the BC Oil and Gas Commission’s website at http://bcogc.ca/publiczone/newt.aspx
Finally, we want to note that missing from the water information equation is mention of the earth’s natural water cycle and climate. Water changes from one reservoir to another from river to ocean, or from the ocean to the atmosphere, by the physical processes of evaporation, snow melt, condensation, precipitation, infiltration, runoff, and subsurface flow.
NRRM encourages citizens to exercise their right to obtain factual information regarding the use of water for fracking in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality. If we can assist you in obtaining information, please call our office and we will help direct you to the appropriate person or agency.
Sincerely,
Bill Streeper, Mayor

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