Shell wants to destroy the Sacred Headwaters
Royal Dutch Shell’s coalbed methane (CBM) project would turn the pristine Sacred Headwaters into an ugly maze of gas wells and pipelines. If this proceeds, it is almost certain to harm the area’s salmon and wildlife as well as First Nations and other communities downstream.
Photo by Paul Colangelo
Coalbed methane: An extensive environmental footprint
CBM is a gas trapped in coal deposits. Extracting it is environmentally risky, requiring a high density of wells and the disposal of vast volumes of wastewater. As a result, CBM development leaves an extensive footprint on the land. Given the high risks to the environment and low level of job creation, CBM projects have been met with strong opposition nearly everywhere in British Columbia. A broad cross-section of the public is concerned about CBM, including municipalities, elected officials, First Nations, unions, NGOs, landowners, rod and gun clubs, concerned citizens and more.
Their concerns include
- Impacts on ground and surface water and, by extension, wild salmon and drinking water;
- Land disturbance and impacts on wildlife;
- Lack of community economic benefits;
- Incompatibility with BC's climate policy;
- Inadequacy of BC's oil and gas regulatory and enforcement regimes.
