The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency earmarked C$364,560 (Approx: US$271,493) fro the participation of First Nations in the environmental assessment of the Aurora LNG project.
Funds will be transferred to seven Indigenous groups, namely Gitga’at First Nation, Gitxaala Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation, Lax Kw’alaams Band, Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia and Metlakatla First Nation, through the government of British Columbia, CEAA said in a notice.
The funding will enable participation and consultation in upcoming steps of the environmental assessment which is being conducted by British Columbia.
It will be used to review and provide comments on the proponent’s application, the EAO’s draft assessment report and the potential federal environmental assessment conditions.
The Aurora LNG project is being proposed by Nexen Energy, a unit of CNOOC. The facility proposed for Digby Island in the Prince Rupert area of British Columbia would include a natural gas receiving and LNG production facility with a capacity of up to 24 million tonnes of LNG per year, a marine terminal, and supporting infrastructure and facilities. The project is expected to operate for a minimum of 25 years.