Despite another blockade slowing up the project, Walpole Island is continuing to move forward with the natural gas line construction on the First Nation reserve… this time with extra security in place.
James Jenkins, policy analyst for Walpole Island, said construction was set to resume Wednesday.
“Council did make it clear at a special council meeting (Monday) night that the project is going to go ahead as soon as possible and to give the work crew whatever security, through security and policing that is necessary to make the workers feel safe to go ahead,” Jenkins told the Sydenham Current.
“There will be more of a police presence and we are going to be more proactive in terms of monitoring the project and ensuring that everyone feels safe.”
Unfortunate dialogue at traditional circle
Jenkins said construction had started the week prior, and the crew was moving along River Road North, towards Tecumseh Line. He said they were resuming business after the weekend on Monday.
“We saw on Facebook that there were some groups that had been invited from outside the community to stage a blockade,” he said.
“So we were aware that something might be happening. I understand there was a bit of an altercation at the work site itself, outside of the community, with a couple of the protesters appearing at the work camp. So for safety reasons the crew decided not to work (Monday or Tuesday.)”
Jenkins said there was a group of community members that informed council they wanted to meet in a traditional circle and have a traditional meeting near the Walpole Island bridge.
“So there was a brief council meeting on Monday morning and after the meeting the councillors that were present, I think there were five or six all together plus the Chief, myself and director of operations, travelled to the bridge.” he said.
“There were maybe 10 community members there, probably 20 to 30 people from outside the community that I understand came from Windsor and London, holding signs, protesting and to be quite honest shouting and heckling at us. We were there for about two and a half hours.”
Jenkins added: “Unfortunately, it was unlike any traditional talking circle I’ve seen, just in terms of the swearing and the heckling. Unfortunately I don’t think too much came of that particular circle and I could sense that the moderators of that circle, the traditional elders, were dismayed by the direction it went. There wasn’t really an opportunity to talk about concerns and a number of new concerns were brought up.”
Consultation took place
Jenkins said there has been a number of community meetings over the last three years in preparation for this project. He said Walpole Island officials met with organizers of a blockade back in May as well.
“We met with the spokespeople, probably on a dozen occasions coming up with a path forward and we felt like we had come up with a pass forward, there was an agreement with that group and the director of operations but we haven’t been able to come up with a path forward,” Jenkins said.
“We met with those spokespeople and other community members the week construction began and went over a number of concerns.
Jenkins added: “What we’re hearing is that we’re installing the pipe in natural areas, and that is just not true at all. It’s going along road allowance, it’s disturbed soil being used for other utilities, it’s not a pipeline, it’s a natural gas line for heating homes, barbecues, etc. Having these members basically sending the message we can’t look after our own affairs… is somewhat distressing.”
Financial concern
Jenkins said Walpole Island is taking a financial hit every day the project is delayed.
“Another reality is the project is costing $10,000 a day, everyday we don’t move forward,” he said.
“The contracting company and everyone that is hired on board is sitting back and waiting and they still have to be paid. We’ve stopped the project twice now, we stopped it in May and we stopped it a few weeks ago. So the cost of doing that is starting to become unsustainable. Plus we are getting closer and closer to winter and some of the households along the line are wondering whether they should hold out and not renew their propane contracts or whether they will have gas in time for the winter.”
Jenkins said the project overall costs roughly $1 million, with 60% of that being paid for by a Federal grant through Indian Affairs.
“It was an economic development grant to primarily help our grain drying operation for Tahgahoning,” Jenkins said.
“The remainder of the project was split between the First Nation and Tahgahoning, so the plans are for Tahgahoning to convert to natural gas and for the First Nation to convert our band building to natural gas. In both cases, the return on investment should allow us to recoup our investment in the project in just a few years.”
Watch for more on this story.
Here is some more background:
– Protest disrupts gas line construction on Walpole Island
– Walpole Island moving forward with gas line project
