Section 3 Consultation and Aboriginal Matters
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SECTION 3 CONSULTATION AND ABORIGINAL MATTERS Westcoast Energy Inc., a Spectra Energy Company CS-8A Compressor Station Upgrade Section 3: Consultation and Aboriginal Matters Aboriginal Community Engagement Westcoast recognizes the importance of ensuring that its ongoing activities and proposed projects, as well as opportunities for local participation and employment, are communicated to Aboriginal communities in a timely manner. Westcoast’s objective is to provide opportunities for participation and feedback by Aboriginal communities by ensuring that project information is conveyed to them in writing and, whenever possible and requested, in person. Information packages were sent that contained a letter, information brochure, map and the NEB brochure “Information for Proposed Pipeline or Power Line Project – No Hearing”. Westcoast relied upon its relations with Aboriginal communities plus institutional knowledge gained after many years of operating within BC, and input from the NEB to identify those Aboriginal communities that may have an interest in the Project area. Although the Project will occur on Westcoast fee simple lands and will not need any new lands or rights of way, the Project is located within the traditional territories and/or areas of interest of BC Métis Federation, Coldwater First Nation, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Upper Nicola Band, Métis Nation of British Columbia – Region 3 Thompson-Okanagan, Nicola Tribal Association, Nlaka'pamux Nation, Nooaitch First Nation and Shackan First Nation. Westcoast has provided Project information to all the listed First Nations, Tribal Councils and Métis associations. The Project area is not subject to terms of any signed Treaty. One comment was received from the Nicola Tribal Association regarding stoppage of work should any archeological artifacts be uncovered during construction and Westcoast confirmed this. There are no outstanding concerns raised by any of the above Aboriginal communities. Westcoast will continue to consult with all parties potentially affected by the Project. Since the initial communication, discussions have continued as needed on the proposed Project as part of ongoing communication with the communities. Appended to this report is a summary of specific consultation activities with Aboriginal Groups. Landowners and Local Residents The Project will occur on Westcoast fee simple lands and will not need any new lands or right of ways. The eight residents within the Project area have been consulted throughout the Project planning and field assessment phases. Residents were given the opportunity to provide comment on the proposed Project. When and where requested, Westcoast will continue to consult with the residents through all phases of the Project. The nearest residences are located approximately 960 metres west of the Project and have been notified of the Project. Westcoast Energy Inc., a Spectra Energy Company 1 CS-8A Compressor Station Upgrade Section 3: Consultation and Aboriginal Matters Trappers There are three licensed trappers (traplines TRO313T002 [two registered owners] and TRO313T004) within the Project area. Guide Outfitters/ Grazing Licenses There is no guide outfitter and there are three grazing licences (RAN076744A; RAN076746A; RAN077103A) within the Project area. Local Government The Project occurs within the Thompson Nicola Regional District and in the vicinity of the City of Merritt. Provincial and Federal Government Westcoast has notified the appropriate BC provincial government departments which were the Ministry of Forests, Land and Natural Resource Operations, and Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Westcoast will be applying for appropriate provincial permits as required upon receipt of the NEB approval for the Project. The Project work does not trigger the requirement to consult with federal government departments. Westcoast Energy Inc., a Spectra Energy Company 2 CS-8A Compressor Station Upgrade CS-8A -Summary of Consultation with Aboriginal Groups Stakeholder Recipient Parcel Recipient Date Consultation Name/Title/ ID, Location OR Preferred Method Engagement Type Method of Service Summary of Engagement Outstanding Concerns Commenced Organization Tenure Number of Contact ABORIGINAL GROUPS Coldwater Indian Band - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. Lower Nicola Indian Band - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. Upper Nicola Indian Band - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. Nicola Tribal Association - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response following Mail Sept 14/15 - Response letter received from Nicola Tribal Association. No September 14, 2015. immediate concerns. Should any arch/cultural material be identified, operations must cease. Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to recipient via regular mail. No response received. Nlaka'pamux Nation Tribal - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Council Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. Nooaitch First Nation - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. Shackan Indian Band - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. BC Metis Federation - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 recipient via regular mail. Metis Nation of BC - - Registered Mail Notification 05-Aug-15 Sent by Registered Aug 5/15 - Notification was sent to recipient via registered mail. No response as of Regiona 3 Thommpson- Mail Sept 23/15 - Updated notification letter and new NEB brochure was sent to November 12, 2015 Okanagan recipient via regular mail..