Squamish conservationist John Buchanan was curious after seeing barges full of dirt leaving from the Woodfibre LNG site, seven kilometres from downtown, on the shores of Howe Sound.
He decided to look closer and recorded this footage of the barges being loaded up and in the sound.
Woodfibre LNG spokesperson Sean Beardow told The Squamish Chief that fill, or soil, has to be removed from the site if it exceeds Industrial Land Standards as defined under the Contaminated Sites Regulation, and is therefore not suitable for construction purposes. For example, if the dirt contains organic materials or invasive species, he added.
"Due to historic use of the Woodfibre site, some soils exceed Industrial Land Standards for metals and hydrocarbons," he said.
The property was formerly home to the Woodfibre pulp mill, which officially closed in 2006.
Industry operated on the site for approximately 100 years before the estimated 86 hectare (212 acre) parcel was bought by its current LNG owners in 2013.
Beardow said the current excavation and disposal of these soils is overseen by a qualified contaminated sites specialist.
While he didn't name the exact facility, Beardow said the soils are removed from the Woodfibre LNG site and disposed of at "an approved facility" provincially licensed to accept each specific type of soil.
"We are expecting approximately 80 to 90 barge loads of soil will be removed from the site over time."
Construction on the LNG export facility is expected to be completed by 2027.
