With all the controversy and concerns surrounding Birchwood's proposed Sage oil extraction project near Crane Lake, the Crane Lake Advisory and Stewardship Society (CLASS) said it had arranged a special meeting between Crane Lake residents and Birchwood representatives during the society's annual general meeting on Sept. 29.
However, Birchwood representatives did not attend the AGM, said CLASS chair José Lapointe, following the meeting.
She said representatives from the company did not attend the meeting, instead they requested a meeting solely with CLASS executives, as opposed to members of CLASS and the wider Crane Lake community.
“Of course, it's very disappointing Birchwood did not show up,” said Lapointe. “The purpose of the meeting was to share our concerns with the construction of this plant, which is in very close proximity to the lake. And we were hoping they would listen to and eventually answer those concerns.”
Birchwood's chief financial officer Shaun Sifton said the company did not agree to a meeting with CLASS and Crane Lake residents at the AGM.
In an email, Sifton said, “Birchwood has never made any commitments to attend the CLASS AGM. Even though recent requests by Birchwood for a meeting with the CLASS executive have been declined, Birchwood would continue to welcome a meeting where meaningful dialogue and information may be exchanged. We will communicate with all stakeholders as the project develops and more information becomes available.”
He added, “We believe that public consultation between Birchwood and all stakeholders is an essential and ongoing part of the Birchwood Sage project development process. We also believe that successful consultation requires active participation and commitment from all parties to identify concerns, to identify solutions and to work towards resolutions. Birchwood is committed to continue the consultation process with potentially affected or concerned parties as the project develops.”
CLASS vice-chair Ron Young said it is unfortunate representatives of Birchwood chose not to hear the concerns of Crane Lake residents and possibly address and alleviate some of those concerns prior to submitting an application.
“All the issues and concerns the people of Crane Lake have with this project will eventually come out at the ERCB (Environmental Resource Conservation Board) hearing,” said Young. “So it's just baffling why they would not want to meet with the people and hear about it all now, before the hearing, if they eventually make this application.”
He said it was a stark contrast to the other company making a presentation and listening to the concerns of the public at the AGM.
“Enbridge was also at the meeting and I would say they did an admirable job not only explaining their plans but also taking a pretty good grilling from the people at the meeting,” said Young.
“After hearing the issues some of the residents had and providing some feedback and I think even learning some things themselves, both sides were all a little more comfortable with the situation. Unlike the situation with Birchwood.”
Enbridge is currently working to expand the Athabasca Pipeline and need to pressure test the pipes, which the company plans to do by using water from Crane Lake.
The company has not yet received a permit for the tests to take place, but representatives felt it was necessary to meet with residents prior to going ahead with the plans.
Water would be pulled from the lake over approximately a week-long period and it would only be a one-time thing, representatives assured.
The company hopes to complete the hydrostatic testing of the pipeline in the spring or summer of 2014.
Young said residents were less concerned with the amount of water being pulled from the lake, as the draw-down would be a one-time event. However, residents were concerned they would be setting a precedent, which could encourage other companies to attempt to draw from the lake.
Young said any company looking to draw from Crane Lake would have to go through an approval process prior to pulling out any water.
He also said CLASS is still hoping to arrange a meeting between Crane Lake residents and Birchwood representatives within the next month.
