Vancouver, British Columbia-based NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc. has released a summary of responses to comments received during the 45-day public comment period for the harmonized federal-provincial environmental assessment (EA) review of its proposed offshore wind energy project in Hecate Strait.
More than 75 people attended the three open houses held in local communities during the 45-day comment period, and the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) received a total of 56 written comments.
In accordance with EAO requirements, NaiKun Wind has responded to comments received and has also prepared a summary report, which compiles key themes from the written comments, open houses and stakeholder group meetings.
‘Submissions indicating support was the most frequent theme, which is consistent with the feedback we've received from local communities since we began discussing the project with them in 2002,’ says Susan Bruckner, Naikun's director of community relations.
Other frequently occurring themes included marine aquatic ecology, EA methodology, project scope/design and socioeconomic impacts.
In the coming months, NaiKun Wind will continue to work with regulatory agencies, First Nations and local communities to further develop the project's environmental management system and adaptive management plans, develop commercial fisheries access management plans, begin initiating long-term environmental monitoring studies, and advance the career training and employment program, as well as continue to work with the Haida Nation during its concurrent review of the project.
SOURCE: NaiKun Wind Energy Group Inc.
