It’s a chance to meet up with local folks concerned about Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline route.
A couple of pipeline-related events are being held in Chilliwack Friday and Saturday.
The first ‘Move the Pipeline Happy Hour’ event is Friday April 28, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wilde Oscar’s Pub on Wellington Avenue, as mentioned in Wednesday’s article in The Progress.
The second ‘Move the Pipeline Happy Hour 2,’ is set for Saturday, April 29, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Tractorgrease Cafe on Chilliwack Lake Road.
Right from the beginning of the pipeline process, Chilliwack had some land owners, activists, and city council saying the pipeline should be routed away from the Sardis-Vedder aquifer and other sensitive areas.
“Once contaminated, it is unlikely that the aquifer could be remediated adequately to use for drinking water purposes again,” stated the City of Chilliwack’s letter of comment to the NEB.
Some would prefer a pipeline route that runs parallel to Highway 1 rather than crossing through school grounds, residential neighbourhoods, and the Chilliwack-Vedder River.
There’s only about a week left until the May 7 NEB deadline for route change submissions.
“The route is not finalized, and we can let the National Energy Board know that we want the pipeline moved away from Chilliwack’s schools, wetlands, fault lines, homes, and drinking water,” said Rachel Symington, who is organizing the Happy Hour events for WaterWealth Project. “Join us to fill out an NEB Statement of Opposition, then stay to have a beverage with folks in our community who care.”
They’ll have forms, envelopes and stamps on-hand to help with any submissions, and can answer questions about the pipeline route or the opposition process.