In September of 2006, the Supreme Court ordered U.S. Capital Energy to conduct an environmental impact assessment before it begins seismic testing. Well 11 months later, that EIA is reported to have been completed. But SATIIM, the indigenous community activist group that objected to seismic testing in the first place, is not happy.
A release issued today says that the EIA was handed to community leaders on Monday along with a notebook. According to the instructions accompanying the EIA, inside that notebook, the leaders are to write the names of community members to confirm that they have seen, understand and accept the EIA.
Well SATIIM says that is both unacceptable and discriminatory. Discriminatory because it is a massive and highly technical document, presented to people with limited knowledge of the English language. And unacceptable because, according to SATIIM, it is no substitute for genuine consultations in each community – which (SATIIM claims) were requested, but denied.
A meeting is planned for next week between Capital Energy and the communities. We were unable to reach U.S Capital Energy’s local rep. Alistair King for comment.
