Collaboration protects the environment and delivers benefits to Nak’azdli Whut’en
Coastal GasLink, in partnership with Nak'azdli Whut'en, recently opened the largest free-span temporary bridge in the world across the Stuart River in northeast B.C.
The temporary bridge will help provide Coastal GasLink workers access to remote sections of the project’s 670-kilometre right-of-way.
At Coastal GasLink, collaboration is at the heart of our commitment to local communities. In partnering with Coastal GasLink, Nak’azdli Whut’en was able to hold Coastal GasLink to its commitment to construct to the highest environmental standards.
Members of Nak'azdli Whut'en officially open Stuart River bridge. From left to right, Chief Alexander McKinnon, Rosemarie Sam, Carl Leon, Carmen Patrick-Johnson and Cecil Martin.
“Through almost a year of consultation on drawings and designs, we ended up at an almost 800-foot structure to minimize our impact on the river and on the fish, and to support Nak’azdli Whut’en and the rest of the First Nations north of Stuart Lake,” said Georges Guerette, Project Manager for SA Energy Group, Coastal GasLink’s prime contractor leading construction in Sections 3 and 4.
The bridge was only given the green light after Nak'azdli Whut'en’s Natural Resources Department and Chief and Council were assured it could be done safely, and with minimal disturbance to the river, salmon and fish habitat.
“I want our members to be able to have clean drinking water, to be able to harvest salmon,” said Chief Alexander McKinnon. “The best way to do it, I believe, is to be at the table with large industry folks that will listen to our concerns and take our concerns into consideration so we can help protect the wildlife.”
The design of the temporary bridge evolved through multiple rounds of collaborative redesigns and dialogue — instead of placing multiple pillars in the water, the bridge would become a free-span arch.
Nak’azdli Development Corp. partnered with Surespan Construction Ltd. to install the 770-foot single-span temporary bridge above the Stuart River.
By working together with Nak'azdli Whut'en leadership and Natural Resource Department, as well as our prime contractors, Coastal GasLink was able to address community concerns, and make sure the Stuart River and its salmon population would be protected long after Coastal GasLink has completed construction and removal of the bridge.
“Through collaboration, through meaningful engagement, through real dialogue, through listening and working together, we found a solution. We couldn’t have built this without Nak’azdli Whut’en,” said Guerette.
It was all hands on deck to complete the bridge — from Nak'azdli Whut’en partnered businesses and members, and bridge installation specialists at Surespan Construction Ltd., to the construction monitors from the Nak'azdli community who were monitoring activities on-site to ensure Coastal GasLink met its commitments.
Ashley Leon is one of those construction monitors.
“I am being a steward to my land,” said Ashley. “I’m a defender, and I am out here to observe and witness what’s happening and being the voice.”
Ashley Leon is working on behalf of Nak'azdli Whut'en. As a construction monitor, her role is to observe and report back to the community on activities.
As part of Coastal GasLink’s commitment to leaving an extraordinary legacy that extends beyond construction, an agreement was also developed that will see Coastal GasLink supporting the development of a fish hatchery project with Nak'azdli Whut'en to help increase salmon in the rivers, a critical resource to the Nak'azdli Whut'en people.
The bridge, which is not publicly accessible, was completed ahead of salmon spawning season and will be removed and the land reclaimed after Coastal GasLink construction is complete.