NEWS RELEASE about IndigenousEnvironmentTransportationpublié le Mai 26, 2011 by edoherty

SFPR freeway violates First Nations burial sites - lawsuit filed - Media Conference Today

by Concerned individuals

For Immediate Release:

SECOND LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST SOUTH FRASER PERIMETER ROAD

Wednesday, May 25, 2011, Vancouver, B.C.:

A second court case has been launched against the construction of the $1.2 billion South Fraser Perimeter Road (SFPR). Bertha Williams of the Tsawwassen Band, Coast Salish Nation and William Burnstick, of the Cree Sioux First nations, are suing the B.C. Government to stop construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road through sacred burial sites and B.C.’s oldest and most important archaeological site find to date.

We are meeting today, thursday May 26th, 2011 at the Museum of Anthropology at UBC
campus, 6393 N.W. Marine Drive, Vancouver, B.C. at 2:30 pm to talk with people and the
Media.

Last November, the Burns Bog Conservation Society filed a legal claim against the Government of Canada stating the South Fraser Perimeter Road Project contravenes Federal legislation and fails to uphold the Conservation Covenant on Burns Bog. Both legal actions point to the failure of the governments of Canada and British Columbia to adhere too laws which protect key archaeological sites and critical habitats. Environmental groups strongly support these actions.

The Provincial government is forging ahead with the SFPR Project choosing to ignore the South Fraser Perimeter Road Archaeology Impact Assessment, Technical Volume 14 of the Environmental Assessment Application which was prepared for Ministry of Transportation; which states that almost 30% of the road’s alignment runs through land rated as high archaeological potential.

Bertha Williams and William Burnstick claim the findings of the Archaeological Study indicate the road will cause irreparable damage to sacred grounds including undisturbed deposits dating from 9,000 years ago.

At least six sites along the planned route of the road have been identified as having significant scientific merit, the Glenrose Cannery is among the most important sites in B.C. due to its age and unique specimens of ancient bone and antler tools. The neighbouring St. Mungo site contains human burials and also shows evidence of three distinct cultural periods.

The Plaintiffs claim that the B.C. Government is acting in a high-handed manner which violates our cultural heritage. It is a shared heritage of all Canadians and should be treasured and protected.

The filed Statement of Claim asserts that the failure of the B.C. Government to adhere too the Archaeological Assessment of the South Fraser Perimeter Road will cause sacred sites to be forever altered.

For further information, telephone 604 566 1900.