The Province of B.C., the Tahltan Nation, Shell Canada, Forest Ethics and the Skeena Watershed Conservation Coalition have been honoured by Tides Canada for finding unique solutions to environmental issues.

The B.C. government is proactively taking the first step toward defining a world-leading marine-based spill response model to protect B.C.'s vast 27,000-kilometre coastline.

Environment Minister Terry Lake has suspended the assessment of the Vancouver Airport Fuel Delivery project proposed by the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facilities Corporation pending the outcome of work underway by the Ministry of Environment on land-based spill preparedness and response and in determining the elements of a world-class marine spill regime.

British Columbia is still looking for solid evidence of Northern Gateway's ability to provide world-leading maritime spill prevention and response following cross-examination at the hearings into the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline in Prince Rupert.

The B.C. government will take part in the cross-examination of Enbridge/Northern Gateway representatives at the Joint Review Panel hearings in Prince Rupert that resume today, concentrating on key issues around marine spills.

Thirteen key stakeholder organizations, including representatives from the railway, petroleum, transportation and business sectors, are meeting face-to-face today to begin building what will become a made-in-B.C., world-leading spill response plan.

Environment Minister Terry Lake and Energy, Mines and Natural Gas Minister Rich Coleman have issued a conditional Environmental Assessment Certificate to Creek Power Inc. for the Upper Lillooet Hydro project, located in the headwaters of the Lillooet River, approximately 60 km northwest of Pemberton.