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Prince Rupert a better option for pipeline

Re: "Enbridge stirs up controversy with depiction of waterway," Aug. 15. Beyond the issue of growing public mistrust of Enbridge as a potential builder of the Northern Gateway pipeline, there is a more important issue.

Re: "Enbridge stirs up controversy with depiction of waterway," Aug. 15.

Beyond the issue of growing public mistrust of Enbridge as a potential builder of the Northern Gateway pipeline, there is a more important issue. Where should the pipeline terminate?

Plans now call for it to be routed to Kitimat, but this brings with it serious navigational hazards for the oil tankers and the possibility - some say the certainty - of a major oil spill in B.C. coastal waters.

This raises the obvious question: Why not build the line to terminate in the already established deep-sea port of Prince Rupert? I have visited Prince Rupert and done a lot of boating in the area - it's clear to me that the route from the shore in Prince Rupert to the open ocean is much shorter, more open and far less hazardous. It seems like an obviously better option.

If Prince Rupert were to be the terminus, I think I'd be among many B.C. residents willing to consider changing their negative position and supporting this project.

Murray Church

Victoria