Batholiths Project
In March 2007, Canada’s National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) decided to withdraw funding for a harmful seismic blasting project proposed for the North Coast waters. This came after intense pressure from Raincoast, a coalition of environmental groups and the public. Over 1,000 citizens wrote the Canadian government expressing their objections to the Batholiths proposal on the basis that it would be harmful to marine life and set a dangerous precedent for seismic testing on the BC coast.
Because the Batholiths proponents had requested funding from NSERC, we were hopeful that withdrawal of funding meant the project would not proceed. However, while the marine component was stopped, it appears that the terrestrial component was always still scheduled. As of July 15, 2009 Raincoast, with Ecojustice acting on our behalf, sent a letter to NSERC questioning the review process of the terrestrial component. This blasting was scheduled for the Bella Coola and other north coast valleys.
