Engaging the Community

Posted on by heathersthomson

It is time for the next round of Community Engagement Sessions.
The February sessions were successful, with lots of citizens attending and gathering information on the rebranding project and our new logo and tagline, changes in legislation. That part of the presentation was a follow up on what has happened since the People’s Assembly in November, 2014. Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht representatives also offered an update on the proposed LNG project as it moves into the environmental stage.
The April session will include an update on the upcoming elections for Chief and Council in June. With the nomination period fast approaching, it is important for citizens to attend to find out all of the details.
Presenters will also be sharing another update on the proposed LNG project and some of the research that Universities are conducting in partnership with Huu-ay-aht. Finally, we will be touching on some of Huu-ay-aht’s important cultural practices.
If you missed the last community engagement, a few items from the rebranding project are still available, along with other prizes.
Here are the times and locations of the April sessions:
Tuesday, April 14, 2015 – Vancouver session at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre, 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, 2015 – Port Alberni session at the Hospitality Inn, 4 to 7 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2015 – The Anacla session will be held at the Anacla Government Office from 3 to 6 p.m.
There will be more informal sessions in Victoria and Nanaimo. The Nanaimo session will take place at Acme Food Co. from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 21. On April 23, it will be held at Comfort Inn in Victoria  from 4 to 7 p.m.
Light snacks and refreshments will be available for all sessions so come join us for food and conversation. Childminding is available in Vancouver, Port Alberni and Anacla.

Steelhead LNG and WorleyParsons sign $30-million engineering contract for proposed Sarita Bay LNG Project

Posted on by heathersthomson

VANCOUVER, BC (February 6, 2015) – Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Steelhead LNG are pleased to announce the signing of a contract with WorleyParsons, which could be worth in excess of $30 million, for the provision of environmental, engineering, geotechnical and regulatory services at their proposed LNG Project at Sarita Bay on Vancouver Island.

WorleyParsons’ LNG activities cover more than 10 countries, and the company is a recognized global leader in the modularization of process plants. WorleyParsons has played a key role in the design, construction, and maintenance of 40 per cent of the LNG trains in operation around the world and has participated in various front end development phases of 12 proposed LNG projects in British Columbia. Over the past 25 years, WorleyParsons has also worked with numerous First Nations across BC and has provided specialized services for some of the largest projects in the province.

The proposed Project, a 24‐mtpa (million tonnes per annum) land‐based facility, is one of the largest proposed LNG projects in British Columbia. The new contract will encompass environmental impact assessments, preliminary Front End Engineering and Design (pre-FEED) studies, geotechnical investigations, and permitting approvals support for the project. WorleyParsons’ environmental team, with experience permitting similar facilities worldwide, will be supported by Hemmera, a Canadian environmental consultancy, creating a team of leaders in environmental and social sciences with expertise in Environmental Assessment, marine and terrestrial ecology, and experience working with First Nations.

“WorleyParsons and Hemmera bring local knowledge and global proficiency to the project, and we have faith in the process set out before us,” explained Huu-ay-aht Councillor John Jack. “Huu-ay-aht looks forward to working with both and moving into the future.”

The new contract is an extension of the strategic relationship that already exists between WorleyParsons, Steelhead LNG and Huu-ay-aht First Nations. WorleyParsons played a key role in the recently completed Preliminary Assessment & Screening stage of the proposed Project.

“We’re pleased to formalize our relationship with a world leader like WorleyParsons, who contribute their tremendous LNG experience and expertise,” said Nigel Kuzemko, CEO, Steelhead LNG. “This deal is a reflection of our commitment to Huu-ay-aht citizens and British Columbia at large to investigate possible environmental impacts of the project, along with other technical and economic aspects, prior to making any decision to proceed with development.”

WorleyParsons’ employees will support the project with technical personnel from its offices in Burnaby, BC, and London, England. In addition, the partnership will offer regional employment opportunities.

“Huu-ay-aht citizens will participate in the environmental studies and geotechnical investigations on Huu-ay-aht land, and they will provide crucial insight as well as local, historical and traditional knowledge about the proposed site and surrounding region,” said Jeff Cook, Elected Chief Councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations.

The contract marks the first major milestone for the proposed Project since Huu-ay-aht citizens voted in favour of continuing to explore the proposed project at their People’s Assembly on November 29, 2014.

“In the lead up to our People’s Assembly vote in November, and since then, our citizens identified a wide range of environmental issues that are important to them,” said Jeff Cook. “Huu-ay-aht has a strong relationship with Steelhead, and our Nation is confident that this will also be true with WorleyParsons and Hemmera. We look forward to working closely with their personnel to examine issues raised by citizens over the coming months.”

WorleyParsons will begin the newly awarded activities for the proposed Project immediately. The investigative field work is expected to stimulate economic opportunities and spending in the region through the contracting and use of local wildlife monitors, boat charters, and accommodation and hospitality service providers.

If a Final Investment Decision to build the proposed LNG facility is made in 2018, it is expected that up to 4,000 jobs would be created during the construction phase, with 300 to 400 full-time jobs created when the plant is operational. In addition, the proposed Project would generate hundreds of spin-off jobs and business opportunities in the Alberni Valley in many sectors, including: business administration, hospitality, manufacturing, first aid, accommodation, recreation, tourism, transportation, catering, security and other service sectors. This includes local spin-off jobs with restaurants, schools, grocery stores, hotels, hospitals and providers of medical, business, heavy machinery maintenance, industrial and other services.

About Huu-ay-aht First Nations:

Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a self-governing Nation, whose lands are located in the Barclay Sound at the entrance to the Port Alberni inlet. Huu-ay-aht First Nations is a member of the Nuu-chah-nulth Tribal Council and one of the five First Nations signatories to the Maa-nulth Final Agreement, the first modern-day treaty to be concluded on Vancouver Island, which came into effect April 1st, 2011. Of the approximately 750 Huuay-aht citizens, 15 % reside around the village of Anacla, the Nation’s principal community close to Bamfield. The remaining 85 per cent live in Port Alberni, the Vancouver area, across Vancouver Island and beyond. The Huu-ay-aht First Nations have full ownership and jurisdiction over more than 8,200 hectares of land within their territories and continue to have rights throughout their Ha’houlthee (traditional territories). For more information about Huu-ay-aht First Nations, visit http://www.huuayaht.org.

About Steelhead LNG:

Steelhead LNG is a Vancouver‐based liquefied natural gas project development company, whose principals have created and led some of the world’s largest, most successful and environmentally responsible natural gas and LNG projects. Steelhead LNG’s investors include KERN Partners, a Calgary-based energy sector private equity firm, which is funded by a group of leading Canadian pension funds, North American university endowments, foundations, institutions and family offices. For more information about Steelhead LNG, visit http://www.SteelheadLNG.com.

About WorleyParsons:

WorleyParsons delivers projects, provides expertise in engineering, procurement and construction and offers a wide range of consulting and advisory services. We cover the full lifecycle, from creating new assets to sustaining and enhancing operating assets, in the hydrocarbons, mineral, metals, chemicals and infrastructure sectors. Our resources and energy are focused on responding to and meeting the needs of our customers over the long term and thereby creating value for our shareholders. WorleyParsons is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange [ASX:WOR]

About Hemmera:

Hemmera is a boutique environmental consultancy that has been making a difference across Canada since 1994. Our highly-respected, multi-disciplinary professionals are leaders in environmental and social sciences and engineering. For Hemmera, creating opportunities for clients and staff means going beyond technical services; as trusted advisors we support project success by providing customized solutions for industry, First Nations, and government. By delivering on our promises, we have earned opportunities to take on challenging projects, contribute to scientific and regulatory dialogue, and give back to the communities where we live and work. For more information about Hemmera, visit http://www.Hemmera.com.

Huu-ay-aht citizens vote to continue to explore proposed LNG Project

Posted on by heathersthomson

Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Steelhead LNG are pleased to announce that they will continue to explore the proposed development of a US$30 billion LNG Project at Sarita Bay on Vancouver Island. This follows Huu-ay-aht citizens voting in favour of doing so today at the Nation’s People’s Assembly in Port Alberni. The proposed Project, which includes a 24‐mtpa (million tonnes per annum) land‐based facility is one of the largest proposed LNG projects in British Columbia.

The People’s Assembly vote approves the lease of Huu-ay-aht Treaty Settlement Lands to the proposed Project and the carrying out of comprehensive environmental, traditional-use and technical studies in advance of a final investment decision expected in 2018. The vote comes after months of intensive community engagement with Huu-ay-aht citizens, which saw Huu-ay-aht government and staff members, Steelhead CEO Nigel Kuzemko and Steelhead LNG engineers and staff members meet regularly with Huu-ay-aht elders and citizens in Anacla, Port Alberni, Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo. The work to address Huu-ay-aht citizen questions and concerns included community engagement sessions, home visits, visits for Steelhead LNG staff to key Huu-ay-aht cultural sites, as well as a tour of hydraulic fracturing operations in Alberta by Huu-ay-aht citizens.

“Today’s vote is an indication that our Nation is open for business and that certainty can be achieved for projects on First Nations territory in BC,” said Jeff Cook, Elected Chief Councillor of the Huu-ay-aht First Nations. “The important thing to remember is that, as a Treaty Nation that is once again in control of natural resource projects on its territory, partnerships and certainty with us must be negotiated and earned on our terms and in accordance with the principles that have guided our Nation and our people for generations. Steelhead LNG’s approach and their respect for our people, our principles and our processes are an example of how companies should conduct business with First Nations.”

Steelhead LNG and the Huu-ay-aht will now carry out technical studies that will examine a wide range of environmental and engineering issues related to the proposed Project, including: air quality and emissions, fishing and freshwater resources, Huu-ay-aht traditional land use, marine issues (fishing, carrier traffic, crabbing, eel grass, marine habitats), wildlife (migratory birds, species at risk), noise, transportation and roads and socio-economic issues.

“While this vote represents an important milestone for our proposed Project, we recognize that we still have a lot of work to do,” said Kuzemko. “Huu-ay-aht citizens have identified a number of issues that are important to them, and we look forward to studying those issues closely with the Huu-ay-aht before a Final Investment Decision is made in 2018.”

If a Final Investment Decision to build the proposed LNG facility is made in 2018, it’s expected up to 4,000 jobs would be created during the construction phase, with 300 to 400 full-time jobs created when the plant is operational. In addition, the proposed Project would generate hundreds of spin-off jobs and business opportunities in the Alberni Valley in many sectors, including: business administration, hospitality, manufacturing, first aid, accommodation, recreation, tourism, transportation, catering, security and other service sectors. This includes local spin-off jobs with restaurants, schools, grocery stores, hotels, hospitals and providers of medical, business, heavy machinery maintenance, industrial and other services.

As the proposed Project moves into the feasibility stage, five new jobs for Huu-ay-aht citizens will be created in 2014 and early 2015 to support the different activities related to the next phase of technical studies. The first position will be for a Huu-ay-aht Employment Strategy Advisor, who will create a long-term education and training strategy for Huu-ay-aht citizens to secure the direct and spin-off jobs that will be created if the LNG facility goes ahead.

To that end, Huu-ay-aht First Nations and Steelhead LNG will work with the provincial government and Vancouver Island colleges, such as North Island College, Vancouver Island University and Camosun College, to develop new trades programs that would provide Huu-ay-aht citizens with funding and training for LNG project-related jobs such as pipefitters, welders, plumbers, iron workers, equipment operators and electricians. The long-term employment strategy for Huu-ay-aht citizens will also include capacity-building education and training for a wide range of administrative, technical and professional service careers such as doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, human resources officers and numerous other administrative positions.