Water, fish and sour gas the focus of July EDRF grants

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West Coast Environmental Law is proud to support the following groups with grants through our Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund:

• The Peace Environment and Safety Trustees (PEST), with a grant from West Coast, is hiring Tim Thielmann of Devlin Gailus to help them call for a public inquiry into causes of last November’s sour gas leak (by Encana) in Pouce Coupe.  In addition, Tim will undertake a review of the new Oil and Gas Activities Act to determine the options available to land owners living near sour gas wells. 
• The West Moberly First Nations have received funding to enable lawyers from Devlin Gailus to challenge the government's failure to adequately protect the Burnt Pine Caribou Herd from mining and other development. 
• The Halalt First Nation – represented by William J. Andrews – received additional funding to help them continue their legal challenge of the government’s assessment of the environmental impacts of Chemainus’ wells. 
• Thanks to a grant, Robin Gage of Underhill Boies Parker will be assisting Sheringham Water Works in its negotiations with Western Forest Products to protect land that provides drinking water to the people of the Sheringham subdivision in Shirely, BC. 
• Kootenay-based Wildsight received a grant to hire lawyer Mark Haddock to examine compliance and enforcement issues relating to the occupation of Crown land in the East Kootenay region.
• A grant will enable the Heiltsuk Tribal Council to pay for experts to help them better participate in the Cohen Commission.  The Cohen Commission is currently examining the causes of the collapse of the Fraser River Sockeye. 
• Marlisa Powers of Abbotsford received a grant to hire lawyer, William J. Andrews, to help her evaluate options to protect an urban forest area. 

Congratulations to all recipients, and thanks to the Law Foundation of British Columbia for providing funds for the EDRF.