Press Release

Shell prevents protection of Wilderness in Canada. Protest letters to Shell accumulate in opposition to the energy companies' environmentally harmful natural gas developments in the Castle Wilderness of the Canadian Rocky Mountains

August 22, 2003

CALGARY - International conservation organizations, including the Sierra Club of Canada, have been part of a long-standing battle to establish legislated protection for the Castle Wilderness. This area is not only important because of its high species diversity; the Castle is also a key movement corridor for grizzly bears within the Canadian/USA Rockies. Shell has ignored the region's ecological importance, and proceeded over the past 40 years with the development of over 50 natural gas wells. Shell's operations, which include the construction of pipelines, roads, seismic lines, and natural gas processing facilities significantly contribute to the fragmentation of this important landscape.

Currently, Shell is expanding its natural gas activities in the Castle Wilderness. Members of the German environmental organization ROBIN WOOD responded by protesting in front of Shell Germany's office in Hamburg. The protestors delivered over 2,000 protest letters to Shell, which ask the energy company to withdraw its operations from this ecologically sensitive region. This is the most recent of several major initiatives from conservation groups around the world. Over the past several months over 25,000 people have sent protest letters directly to Shell regarding their actions in the Castle Wilderness.

This year, Shell will start its new seismic program, involving extensive use of helicopters and ATV's, in the hope of increasing its natural gas production. Part of these seismic activities will take place in an area requiring prime protection. "Over 2,000 protest letters addressed to Shell", according to Rudolf Fenner, campaign coordinator for World Northern Forests at ROBIN WOOD, "show how outraged the people in Germany are about the company's operation in the Castle."

"The overwhelming response from around the world should open the eyes of Shell and the Alberta Government", says Dave Keith, Castle Campaign Chair for Sierra Club of Canada - Chinook Group. In reference to the Castle Wilderness Tim Faithfull, former President and CEO of Shell Canada, stated that, "we agree the natural beauty of the area should be preserved for generations to come." Dave Keith of the Sierra Club asserts, "It is high time Shell practices what they preach"

Through its activities the Sierra Club of Canada supports International campaigns led by conservation groups such as the Castle Crown Wilderness Coalition, the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, ROBIN WOOD, and the Natural Resources Defence Council.

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