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Sentinel
Northern
Years est. 1954
www.northernsentinel.com
Volume 60 No. 38
Sale terms nearly set for MK Marina Cameron Orr MK Bay Marina may be close to setting a terms of sale to the Haisla, according to documents released on the Regional District of Kitimat Stikine’s website. A four page “Purchase and Sale terms — MK Bay Marina” document was part of the agenda items for the regional district’s September 13 board meeting. Within it it describes the potential sale of the marina to the Haisla for $875,000. The document further says that there is a target date for the signing of a purchase and sale agreement on or before September 30. RDKS Chair Bruce Bidgood said the document is an older one and that there is no way any agreements will be made ahead of September 30. “That [the terms] still needs to be finalized by the board,” he said about the document. Setting those terms would set the criteria before the RDKS would agree to any offer of sale, he said. He said a finalized terms of sale agreement was expected to be approved at the August 13 meeting. Documents regarding sale terms for MK Bay Marina were meant to remain closed, meaning not publicly distributed. The District of Kitimat representative to the regional district Phil Germuth put a notice of motion forward at the August 8 RDKS meeting that would have the RDKS issue a press release to the public “regarding the sale of MK Bay Marina before any sale agreement is finalized.” Correspondence from District of Kitimat staff to the regional district also outline Kitimat Council’s position on the possible sale. A motion from Kitimat Council’s December 17, 2012 closed meeting reads that “the District of Kitimat supports the disposition of the MK Bay Marina to a public or private body as long as the public recreational interest in the marina is protected by way of a restrictive covenant; and that the restrictive covenant apply to any future expansion to the land and use of the facility.” That motion and a further motion from a closed council meeting from August 5 reiterating no opposition to the sale of the marina was explained in a letter from Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Warren Waycheshen and also included in the RDKS agenda. An additional letter from Kitimat CAO Ron Poole to RDKS administrator Bob Marcellin outlines Kitimat’s only concerns regarding the sale, which includes ensuring the marina remains open to the public, that fees charged are comparable to similar facilities in B.C., that access to the marina be improved, including parking, and that the marina be maintained to current standards or higher. The Sentinel has not yet received comment from the Haisla Nation on this.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
1.30 INCLUDES TAX
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The sidewalk reconstruction at the City Centre and around the Kitimat Museum & Archives continues, meaning museum patrons have to use the alternate entrance. Kitimat’s Director of Engineering Tim Gleig said Viking Construction is scheduled to finish this project by the end of the month.
NDP bill would ban north coast tankers Cameron Orr Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen is putting forward a bill in parliament that would ban crude oil tankers on the north coast. The bill, which hasn’t been presented yet which means specifics are as-yet unknown, would ban tankers carrying unrefined oil products on the coast, and would also give greater weight to public input on projects being considered by the National Energy Board. A third component would have the NEB give greater value to projects which provide a value-added component, for instance oil refineries. “The inspiration for the bill has come from all of the trouble...around the Northern Gateway Pipeline,” said Cullen. He says the ban on super tankers would be putting in to a law a motion he put forward in 2010. “Right now the legislation that guides the National Energy Board allows them to have public hearings but doesn’t implore the regulator to actually do anything about it,” he said. “We saw this in Northern Gateway.” In terms of support, he thinks he has about half of the MPs on his side. “I think it’s 50/50 right now which doesn’t sound incredibly high but with...getting Conservatives to vote for anything the Prime Minister doesn’t want them to is always an uphill battle,” he said. “I think I’ve got a fair chance at least having a
“I think I’ve got a fair chance at least having a conversation with those MPs.” conversation with those MPs.” We sought comment from Enbridge Northern Gateway on the potential impacts from the bill. Company spokesperson Ivan Giesbrecht, through e-mail, said that the decisions on what products to ship is beyond the scope of their business as an energy transporter. “Market decisions on oil refining are beyond the scope of our business. Northern Gateway’s role is connecting supply with demand safely and responsibly. We do not make the decisions on what product is transported, or where it is marketed,” he said. He added, “There is tremendous demand in overseas markets for Canadian oil and Northern Gateway provides access to those markets so that we may see full value for our resource. That is good for all Canadians. Northern Gateway provides our customers an option should a refinery be built in Kitimat. Northern Gateway could also ship upgraded oil from Alberta. Northern Gateway could also ship a variety of refined products. The bottom line is Northern Gateway provides options –but it is important to note that in all cases, a pipeline is still required.” Continued on page 2
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Riverbrook permit process starts ... page 3