Oil Pad and Access Road Construction on Indigenous Land (OS-7257)
Official title: OS-7257 Authorization to construct and operate a surface lease for an access road and for a multi-well oil pad
A company wants to build an access road and multi-well oil drilling pad on land managed by Indigenous Services Canada. The project includes a 589-metre road and a 3.2-hectare drilling area. Once the wells stop producing, the site would be cleaned up and restored.
Why This Matters
This project is on Indigenous land, so it affects how resource development happens in Indigenous communities. If you live nearby or have ties to the area, this drilling operation could change the landscape for years. The company says wetlands and fish habitat won't be affected—but that's worth scrutinizing.
What Could Change
If approved, the company could drill multiple oil wells on a 3.2-hectare site. A new 589-metre access road would be built. The lease would last for the operating life of the wells, potentially decades.
Key Issues
- Should this oil drilling project be authorized on Indigenous land?
- Are the environmental protections for wetlands and water adequate?
Indigenous Consultation
This consultation requires engagement with Indigenous communities under the Crown's duty to consult.