Panel questionable by conservationists

The Joint Review Panel that has been established to look at the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline lacks crucial local knowledge of the area, according to representatives from Friends of Wild Salmon.

“The NEB [National Energy Board] has made a flawed process even worse by appointing a panel with no experience in this part of the world,” said FOWS co-ordinator Pat Moss. “It is important to have members with industry experience, however this should be balanced by having members who are strong in other areas.”

The NEB appointed Sheila Leggett, Kenneth Bateman and Hans Matthews to form the panel.

Jen Rice, FWOS chair, also noted that the scope of the panel includes environmental effects from marine traffic but there is no marine experience by the panelists.

“The lack of marine and coastal experience is particularly troubling given that tanker spills pose some of the greatest risks associated with this project,” she said.

The environmental group is proposing that the NEB add members to the panel to achieve a broader range of qualifications.

“The review panel from the Mackenzie Valley Pipeline had seven members and we feel that given the significance of this proposal it deserves at least a similar level of wide-ranging expertise,” continued Rice.