Woodfibre Bids for Second "Floatel"

Plan to double workers: 'Have your say' closes August 2

Photo illustration: kc dyer.

Woodfibre LNG has applied to the BC Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) to amend its Environmental Assessment Certificate to include a second "floatel", designed to provide housing for up to another 630 workers.

In their application (which can be read HERE), Woodfibre says it plans to double the number of workers onsite in order to "accelerate construction and speed efficiency."

The existing floatel was moored at the site just over a year ago in June, 2024, after undergoing a rocky permitting process over the first half of 2024, the result of heated local protest and a divided District of Squamish Council.

Double the workers onsite also means an increase in the number of trips to ferry the workers through Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and out to Vancouver. Currently, this job is carried out by the Amia X, a vessel that has itself stirred much controversy in the short time it has been plying local waters.

photo: Bridgemans

In a media release last May, Woodfibre LNG introduced the vessel as their new passenger ferry, stating it was "was recently retrofitted with advanced exhaust mufflers designed to significantly reduce the vessel’s operational noise profile."

While complaints have been made about both the speed the vessel travels when ferrying workers to downtown Vancouver and resultant shoreline damage from the wake, a principal concern has been engine noise. Complaints on social media from Howe Sound residents call the noise generated "incredibly loud" and equating it to the sound of heavy equipment or a seaplane taking off.

Longtime resident and leader of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society, Ruth Simons expressed her concern about the plan. "We are the eyes and ears on AMIA X transiting Howe Sound," she said. "The proponent has not accurately reflected the impacts of this particular vessel, and stated there were four complaints received. This is not true. While mitigation has been applied, further mitigations should be a condition of this amendment for the second floatel."

The EAO is asking the public to weigh in on any environmental, social, economic, cultural and health related potential effects not addressed in the application, concerns about the proposed mitigation plans, any questions as to whether the application is inaccurate or incomplete, concerns about cumulative effects or any other issues that have not been addressed.

Public comments can be made at the Environmental Assessment Office's (EAO) online portal HERE, and will be accepted through August 2.

Woodfibre has also applied for another Temporary Use permit through the District of Squamish, which would bring the company into compliance with District requirements for both floatels.

District of Squamish Council will be considering this application at their meeting on July 29. Information about the process can be found HERE, and comments are being accepted by Mayor and Council at council@squamish.ca until July 29.

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