Canaport LNG is facing two charges under the Migratory Birds Convention Act and one charge under the Species At-Risk Act in connection with an incident in September of last year in which a brightly-burning flare on a foggy night scorched thousands of small birds to death.
Official estimates put the number of birds killed at 7,500, although at the time David Thompson of the Canaport Community Environmental Liason Committee told CHSJ News the exact number could have been much larger: some of the birds may have been totally incinerated, said Thompson, and others may have fell into the nearby woods.
Research head of zoology at the New Brunswick Museum Donald McAlpine explained the birds were attracted to the glow of the large flame in the foggy weather, much as moths are attracted to a flame.
McAlpine called the event “extremely unusual,” but also noted the effect could have been predicted given the weather conditions at the time. Flaring is a means of burning off excess gas at the terminal.
We spoke with Canaport LNG media spokesperson Kate Shannon, who says the facility has since completed upgrades that reduce the terminal’s need to flare. They’ve also adapted their maintenance and operation procedures to minimize the future impact of flaring on the environment.
A provincial court date has been set for January 21. Shannon would not comment on the range of penalties Canaport LNG could be facing.
The CHSJ newsroom has contacted Environment Canada for more information. More details are expected this afternoon.
