“I’m glad they finally said no to it”
Those were the words from Lheidli T’enneh Chief Dolleen Logan following the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George’s decision to shoot down a proposed Natural Gas Extraction Plant in Pineview, near Prince George that was tabled by West Coast Olefins.
The project was voted down by a 9-5 margin yesterday (Thursday).
Logan told reporters today (Friday) the fate of the plant should have never gotten to that point.
“It should have been turned down the first time. I don’t know why it took the second time around, the community said no and we have said no. We don’t want the project in our territory and that should have carried a lot of weight.”
Logan hopes this is the last time we speak of the controversial project.
“I hope the door is closed. Because they (West Coast Olefins) have tried to put the project in two different locations and both times we have said no. As for the ones that voted yes, the only thing I would like to say is how would you like that project in your backyard.”
“I am glad that they finally said no it, hopefully, we are done with that project and that it does not pop up anywhere else in Prince George.”
In the near future, Logan and the host first nation would like a much bigger say on what goes on during any potential Agricultural Land Commission rulings that could impact their territory.
“In a perfect world, it should have come to the Lheidli T’enneh first. It is our territory and if we would approve then it would go up to the next levels. The way it is now, it is like we don’t have a voice.”
Logan admits while this stressful fight has put a dent in their relationship with the City of Prince George, the bridges are far from being burned.
“In a true relationship, you can’t agree on everything. You got to do a little head-butting now and again but it will come back. That is what a true relationship is.”
If the application moved forward, it would have gone to the Agricultural Land Commission.