Eagle Mountain - Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project
Delivering safe and reliable energy to our customers is a top priority for FortisBC. For this reason, for the last decade, we’ve worked with local Indigenous communities, stakeholders, government and residents to responsibly expand our existing natural gas system in Squamish and Coquitlam to supply natural gas to our customer, Woodfibre LNG.
Project overview
This project requires us to expand our existing natural gas system in the Squamish and Coquitlam areas to supply Woodfibre LNG’s export facility near Squamish, B.C. Through this project, we’ll install 50 kilometres of new natural gas pipeline between Squamish and Coquitlam, as well as supporting infrastructure such as a new compressor station at the Woodfibre LNG site and upgrades to the existing compressor station in Coquitlam. Nine kilometres of new gas pipeline will be housed within a tunnel that runs beneath the Skwelwil’em Squamish Estuary.
To minimize environmental footprint, most of this new line will run alongside our existing natural gas line. In rare cases where that may not be possible, we’ve worked with local Indigenous communities, stakeholders, government and residents to listen to feedback and reduce impacts as best as possible.
The Squamish region’s existing natural gas system was built in 1991 to serve Squamish, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. It’s operated safely, without incident, for over 30 years.
Current status
We started early construction in the Squamish area in August 2023 and in Coquitlam in early 2024. This has included mobilizing equipment and materials, setting up construction offices, road upgrades for vehicle access and preparing the work sites for construction. For the latest construction updates, visit our updates tab.
The route
Some of the ways we’ve incorporated feedback and minimized impacts include:
- achieving the shortest possible route and the smallest overall footprint
- minimizing crossings of streams and rivers
- project changes, such as relocating the new Squamish Compressor station
- avoiding known archaeological or heritage sites, and avoiding sensitive terrain and environmental areas
Benefits to local communities
FortisBC is supporting a variety of local, non-governmental associations and organizations – including groups that support vulnerable populations. FortisBC is also supporting various Indigenous businesses and cultural initiatives through the agreements we have in place with local Indigenous communities. These agreements will provide direct economic opportunities for Indigenous businesses to participate in the project, and provide jobs and training to many members of local Indigenous communities.
This project will provide a wide variety of employment opportunities for the local workforce, from construction to supporting services. For example, we will be working with our contractors to promote the use of Squamish businesses to supply small tools, materials and general support services.
This project will generate significant revenue for the District of Squamish through various forms of taxes and fees.
In Coquitlam, we’ll be financially contributing to an upgrade of the Coquitlam Crunch hiking trail. We’re also in talks with the District of Squamish to develop a legacy project that will leave a lasting positive benefit for the local community.
Learn about other ways we’re investing in local communities.
Rigorous environmental reviews and research
Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) approved this project in June 2016 and the Province of British Columbia did the same in August 2016. Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw completed their own independent environmental assessment on the project – the first of its kind in Canada.
Since then, the project continues to evolve to incorporate community feedback and embrace technical advancements. In Fall 2021, the BC Environmental Assessment Office approved additional changes, and Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw did the same in early 2022. These approvals amended both the Environmental Assessment Certificate and the Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Agreement.
Temporary workforce lodge
When we first began this project in 2013, we had originally planned for a hybrid accommodation model, leveraging local hotels and rental units, and a smaller workforce lodge. We heard from local governments, Indigenous communities and residents that they were concerned about the pressure on local housing, strain on community services and impacts on traffic. Following that consultation, we learned that the preference was to house all workers at a single site.
A footprint increase for our Temporary Workforce Lodge, from two to seven hectares, was approved by the Environmental Assessment Office and Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw in fall 2023. It will house an average of 300 workers at a time, and peak to about 600 workers during the summer of 2025. The final step prior to lodge construction will be to secure a Temporary Use Permit from the District of Squamish.
Compressor stations
Compressor stations are one of the most important components of the natural gas transportation system. They perform the essential tasks of compressing the natural gas and regulating its pressure so it can flow through the system to our customers’ homes and businesses.
To provide service to Woodfibre LNG, we considered a number of factors, including feedback from the public, the District of Squamish and Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) during the environmental assessment processes.
Our commitment to local communities
Our staff live and work in the communities we operate. The safety and environmental wellbeing of local communities is extremely important to us, and it’s a value we know we share with local residents. That’s why we’ll continue to work with residents and community members to understand and mitigate any concerns.
Collaboration and engagement remain important to us as we begin and complete this project. Members of the FortisBC team will regularly be in local communities, communicating the project and listening to concerns and feedback.
Project timeline
Future dates are anticipated and subject to change.
Project approvals
The Environmental Assessment Office and Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) approve the project.
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Construction begins (Squamish)
Site preparation for Squamish components begin
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Site preparation for Coquitlam components begin
Coquitlam pipeline construction begins
Tunnel boring in Squamish begins
Coquitlam Eagle Mountain Compressor Station expansion begins
Squamish Compressor Station construction at Woodfibre LNG site begins
Squamish pipeline construction in the Indian River Watershed begins
Coquitlam electric substation and powerline construction begins
Squamish pipeline construction along Finch Drive and Industrial Avenue begins
Project completion
May 7, 2024
Stawamus Indian River Forest Service Road closures and gas pipeline component update
May 1, 2024
Logging trucks in Squamish
April 24, 2024
Tunnelling set to begin in Squamish
March 26, 2024
BC Energy Regulator issues discharge authorization for treated water
February 7, 2024
Stawamus Indian River Forest Service Road closures
January 30, 2024
Traffic impacts along Mamquam River Forest Service Road
January 29, 2024
Early construction activities ramp up in Coquitlam on Eagle Mountain - Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project
January 10, 2024
Preparation activities for Coquitlam construction
January 4, 2024
24-hour work at BC Rail and Woodfibre sites
December 13, 2023
Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Úxwumixw and EAO approve increased Workforce Lodge area
November 10, 2023
Traffic impacts along Mamquam River Forest Service Road
October 17, 2023
Gas pipe delivery
October 13, 2023
Traffic impacts along Stawamus-Indian River Forest Service Road
October 12, 2023
Upcoming construction at the BC Rail property
August 28, 2023
Construction has started
August 22, 2023
Update on pipeline component of the project
July 28, 2023
Construction starting soon
March 2, 2023
Join us for an upcoming public information meeting
November 29, 2022
Open house cancelled due to inclement weather
August 5, 2022
Statement regarding Enbridge’s investment in Woodfibre LNG
July 26, 2022
Eagle Mountain – Woodfibre Gas Pipeline project quantitative risk assessment
June 9, 2022
Our crews are in the field
April 25, 2022
Proposal for two pipes in the Squamish tunnel
April 5, 2022
EGP project changes approved
March 22, 2022
Proposed size increase for workforce lodging site
March 22, 2022
Join us for upcoming information sessions
March 9, 2022
Upcoming pre-construction activities in Squamish
February 25, 2022
Update on tunnel component of the project
November 29, 2021
EAO decision on EGP project changes
October 8, 2021
Weather extends schedule for geotechnical investigations
September 23, 2021
Proposed relocation of existing gas line northeast of Valleycliffe
August 23, 2021
Upcoming geotechnical investigations near Squamish and in the Indian River Valley
August 6, 2021
Extension of Environmental Assessment Certificate approved
May 20, 2021
Environmental surveys in Squamish and Coquitlam
February 1, 2021
Weather extends schedule for geotechnical investigations
December 9, 2020
Recordings from fall Squamish and Coquitlam information sessions
December 4, 2020
Upcoming field work at BC Rail property in Squamish
November 19, 2020
Coquitlam virtual information sessions
November 3, 2020
FortisBC applies for an Environmental Assessment Certificate extension
October 29, 2020
Squamish virtual information sessions
October 28, 2020
Environmental Assessment Certificate amendments filed
September 15, 2020
Upcoming geotechnical work on forest service roads in Stawamus Valley and Indian River Valley
August 18, 2020
Recording of August 13th virtual information session
July 29, 2020
Virtual information sessions
February 20, 2020
Upcoming proposed changes to require amendments to Environmental Assessment Certificate
November 1, 2019
Upcoming geotechnical work in Coquitlam
October 29, 2019
Upcoming geotechnical work within District of Squamish
October 3, 2019
Upcoming community engagement
August 16, 2019
Geotechnical work begins on forest service roads in Indian River Valley
June 27, 2019
Upcoming geotechnical work on forest service roads in Indian River Valley
May 28, 2019
Upcoming geotechnical work on private properties
February 22, 2019
Squamish Nation approves economic benefit agreement
June 11, 2018
Join us for free mini golf and BBQ lunch
October 20, 2017
Squamish Community Office – Update
June 14, 2017
Squamish Community office reopens
January 24, 2017
FortisBC explains why trees were removed for safety during geotechnical investigations
November 6, 2016
FortisBC completes geotechnical work on the Squamish dike
November 4, 2016
Woodfibre LNG authorized to continue with proposed LNG export facility
November 3, 2016
Our response to incident at Squamish Community Office
August 9, 2016
Provincial government issues Environmental Assessment Certificate
June 24, 2016
Squamish Nation Chiefs and Council voted to approve an Environmental Assessment Agreement
October 7, 2015
Open house in Squamish
September 24, 2015
Public comment period on FortisBC addenda on final report to Environmental Assessment Office
June 26, 2015
Squamish Nation Council outlines a series of environmental conditions
April 21, 2015
Open house District of Squamish
February 12, 2015
Open house in Coquitlam
June 11, 2014
Open house in Gibsons
November 21, 2013
Open house in Coquitlam
November 16, 2013
Open house in Squamish
Who is paying for the project?
Answered on:
Nov 17, 2020
How is FortisBC, as the organization behind the project, helping to achieve the province’s emissions reduction goals?
Answered on:
Nov 17, 2020
How did you select the route?
Answered on:
Aug 12, 2020
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Indigenous feedback helps to improve our Eagle Mountain - Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project
We value working directly with local First Nations to listen to their concerns and understand their perspective. We’re engaging with the following First Nations to discuss the expansion project details and listen to their questions and concerns:
The New Energy
Some of our work with Squamish Nation has been highlighted in a video series hosted by Squamish, Haida and Cree actor, Simon Baker, called The New Energy. Check out the first episode of the series, exploring how Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw became a regulator for overseeing work in their Traditional Territory, leading to the ground-breaking Squamish Nation Environmental Assessment Agreement.
One of our top priorities is to engage local communities so that they understand the work we're doing
Keeping the community informed
We value the importance of keeping the community informed about the project. One of the ways we do this is by meeting with community groups and stakeholders to provide project updates. A recent example of this is our presentation to the Rotary Club of Squamish in June 2021.
To ensure you’re staying up-to-date, subscribe to our email newsletter.
Tri-Cities Chamber and SHARE Society food drive
We joined and supported the Tri-Cities Chamber for their 2021 Christmas Luncheon, which featured a food drive for the SHARE Family & Community Services Society. In total, the drive collected over 600 pounds of food for families in need. We were thrilled to partner with the Chamber on this initiative, and will continue looking for similar opportunities to give back to the communities where we live and work.
Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival
Our team joined the Squamish community at the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival, which was back in action in September 2021. We were able to connect with hundreds of attendees and enjoyed sharing information and answering questions about FortisBC and the EGP Project. Congratulations to all the competitors, and we can’t wait to see the community at this event in future years.
A conversation with Bryan Couture
The Squamish Day Loggers Sports Festival celebrates the connection between Squamish and local industry. We spoke with Bryan Couture in 2016, then-president of the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Association, about the importance of the event to the community and how industry growth can benefit Squamish.
Questions from the community during 2020
We know you have questions, and our team is here to provide answers. In 2020, we held several virtual information sessions in Squamish and Coquitlam to ensure interactive opportunities for the public to ask questions and learn more about the project.
Our team compiled 30 questions from our August update to the Squamish community. We also compiled over 50 questions from all six sessions.
We’ll continue to keep the public informed as the project progresses.
FortisBC hosts another fun family event in Squamish community
In June 2018, we sponsored a free mini-golf and barbecue event at the Whistle Punk Hollow Adventure RV Park for the community of Squamish. More than 100 people visited our booth and learned more about our natural gas services and our project in the area.
Community grants support local initiatives
At FortisBC, we serve more than 135 communities across the province. Giving back to the communities where our over 2,400 employees live and work is an important part of our efforts to create a sustainable future for British Columbians.
We’ve been a part of the Squamish community for over 30 years. And we take our role as a good corporate citizen very seriously. The local recipients of our community investment grants include a wide-range of organizations that are working hard to make Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky region a better place to live.
Regulatory process
Environmental Assessment Office
In 2016 the project received approval from the provincial Environmental Assessment Office and Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation). In 2021 the project’s approval was extended for a further five years.
- Environmental Assessment Office Certificate
- Schedule A: Environmental Assessment Certificate Certified Project Description
- Schedule B: Environmental Assessment Certificate Table of Conditions
- Environmental Assessment Office Certificate Amendment 1
- Environmental Assessment Office Certificate Amendment 2 application
You can view all finalized environmental and condition management plans at the Environmental Assessment Office’s project portal.
BC Energy Regulator
We’ve received a Waste Discharge Authorization from the BC Energy Regulator to discharge treated water generated from tunnel construction activities at the BC Rail and Woodfibre LNG sites in Squamish. All water generated through construction activities will be treated, prior to discharge, in accordance with the Environmental Management Act and to meet BC Water Quality Guidelines.
Details on the project and water management can be found in our application documents here.
As part of a temporary Waste Discharge Authorization, we publish weekly reports of our water quality testing results. Our reports include monitoring and sampling activities to ensure water quality in the receiving environment meets these guidelines.
Transport Canada
We're planning to build a temporary bridge across the Indian River in the Indian River Watershed to support pipeline construction activities. Our public notice with details can be viewed here. We anticipate construction to begin in May 2024 and to conclude in the fall.
We’re moving ahead with a pipeline crossing of the Indian River in the Indian River Watershed. Our public notice from the Transport Canada process can be viewed here. We anticipate this work to take about two months, beginning in July 2024.
We’re committed to completing these activities in an environmentally responsible manner and have been closely engaging Indigenous groups on this work.
Metro Vancouver Regional District
Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) has authorized the contained burning of non-merchantable timber and woody debris from clearing activities on the project at four designated sites near Hixon Peak, roughly 30 kilometres southeast of Squamish.
We’ll be using an air curtain burner, designed to aid in combustion and reduce emissions, to ensure the debris is burned in a safe and controlled manner, and to eliminate any fire risk associated with this material.
We anticipate burning to take place between mid-April and early June 2024.
As part of MVRD’s authorization, these activities will comply with BC’s Environmental Management Act and the Greater Vancouver Regional District Air Quality Management bylaws. We’ve also been working closely with local Indigenous communities who have approved these plans.
Additional resources
We've been engaging on the Eagle Mountain - Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project since 2013. Materials related to these discussions are available below.
Temporary Use Permit applications
- District of Squamish Temporary Use Permit Applications for proposed Workforce Lodge and laydown yard
Note: The above link will take you to the District of Squamish - Development Review map. To view the Temporary Use Permit applications and related files, click on the red sections of the map.