Shell has returned to Glengad beach to install nets over the cliff face. This cliff is a sand martin nesting area, and the sand martin nesting season is beginning this month. Birds have been spotted in the area, and although there are some sections of cliff not covered by the nets, the nesting area is severely restricted. The surface of the cliff face is markedly different from years past, after being destroyed last fall during Shell’s failed attempt to bring their raw gas pipeline onshore. For a report on the destruction done to the beach last fall, you can read the Solidarity Camp’s November update here on Earth First! Action Reports.
Two boats were present in Broadhaven Bay today from at least 10am until 4pm. The larger boat moved all around the bay, while the smaller boat mostly stayed close to the green buoy. It is possible that they are carrying out survey works to prepare for the offshore pipe laying. According to Shell’s Environmental Management Plan, Shell may be planning to begin offshore pipe laying in May of this year, using an alternative “wet start” option. From the Environmental Management Plan:
“Alternative “wet start” option
If the dredging of the trench for the nearshore section of the pipeline has not been completed and the pipelay vessel is available to start work an alternative sequence of installation maybe undertaken.
The pipelay vessel will install a marine anchor on the pipeline route in approximately 20 to 25m of water. A wire between this anchor and the leading end of the pipeline will maintain tension in the pipeline and the vessel will start to lay pipe towards the Corrib Field as outlined previously.
Depending upon the progress of the dredging operation, the pipelay vessel may continue and lay all of the line to Corrib. Alternatively, it may suspend its operations part way and return to Broadhaven Bay to complete the pull-in of the landfall section and then pick up the previously laid section before continuing to the field.
If a “wet start” is undertaken, it will be necessary to join the two sections of pipeline together within Broadhaven Bay by lifting the pipe ends above water and welding them together, or completing the weld on the seabed using divers.”
As expected, Shell seems to be gearing up for another attempt at forcing their project ahead without community consent again in 2009. The struggle against Shell continues, following a spirited weekend in Dublin outside Mountjoy Prison in solidarity with Maura Harrington. Maura has been imprisoned for 20 days and has another 8 days yet to serve in her sentence. Another People’s Forum will take place this weekend, with talks on the upcoming US case against Shell’s actions Nigeria, Climate Change, and Corrib Gas Permissions.
The Forum will take place in the Inver Community Center on Saturday, April 4th from 10.30am – 3.30pm. As always, the Solidarity Camp is open to anyone who wants to visit Erris to support the campaign. Contact the Rossport Solidarity Camp: 085 1141170 rossportsolidaritycamp at gmail dot com
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April 2nd, 2009
The netting over the cliff face at Glengad was taken down yesterday by two members of Pobal Chill Chomain, in the presence of a NPWS manager.
Attempts are being made by Belcross contractors this morning (Thursday, 11am) to put the nets back up. They are currently being prevented from finishing this work.
Sand martins and Brent geese are present on the beach.
Two boats, possibly survey boats, are in Broadhaven Bay.
Beautiful day on the beach!