August 22, 2000<br>
File Number: PG/19 and FG/01<br><br>


Honourable David Anderson<br>
Minister of Environment<br>
133 East Block<br>
House of Commons<br>
Ottawa Ontario  K1A 0A6<br><br>

Dear Minister Anderson:<br><br>

Re:Georgia Strait Proposed Gas Pipeline<br><br>

On behalf of the Islands Trust and as the "Responsible Authority" relevant to this project, I request the immediate referral of the Georgia Strait Crossing Project to an independent review panel under the National Energy Board Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.<br><br>

I understand the review panel would provide a greater opportunity for local review and comment on the environmental studies for the proposal. This is vital to us because our mandate requires the Islands Trust preserve and protect the natural and cultural values of the marine and upland area. The Islands Trust and San Juan County have an active marine protected areas program in the same Transboundary area. In addition, as you will be aware, a federal park is proposed for the very area being considered for the pipeline. The Islands Trust seeks the most open process possible for ourselves and our communities to ensure procedural certainty, due diligence and transparency.  The Islands Trust and island communities need the opportunity to evaluate the full environmental effects of this project.<br><br>

I look forward to your response to this request.<br><br>

Yours truly,<br><br>

David Essig, Chair<br>
Islands Trust Council<br><br>

pc:Michael Mantha, Secretary, National Energy Board<br>