The following is an excerpt from a letter to Mati Waiya, Chumash ceremonial leader and executive director, Wishtoyo Foundation. I was astounded last week when I discovered that you support the possible building of a LNG facility off the coast of Oxnard and Malibu by Australian company BHP Billiton. I just saw you when you attended Mary Frampton’s memorial and conducted a traditional Native American ceremony to honor her. At her memorial you named her “Eco-Warrior” as a tribute for her protection of marine mammals, clean ocean waters, and for her campaign to help fight the effects of pollution. You seem to realize that the dolphin is your ancestor – yet, still support the BHP Billiton project that will threaten the well being of the dolphin and all marine life. One of Mary’s dreams, a marine sanctuary off Malibu’s coast, hopefully will soon be a reality. I believe Mary would be as saddened as I was when I discovered that you support BHP’s proposed LNG project.
This floating factory would intake millions of gallons of seawater daily, and discharge water much hotter than ambient ocean temperatures, causing serious harm to surrounding ecosystems. It increases the chance of injury or death to migrating endangered marine mammals, blue and humpback whales and federally protected gray whales. Furthermore, by BHP Billiton’s own estimates, operating the facility would release significant amounts of pollutants into the environment.
There’s no need for LNG facilities in California. We’re blessed with natural ways to conduct energy-solar and wind. Energy conservation and efficiency could provide more than twice the energy supplied by one LNG terminal.
The Chumash lived in the same area that BHP Billiton chose to put this LNG terminal. Studying Native American culture, especially the Chumash, leads me to believe that their lives were conducted within the harmony of nature. I doubt they’d let this deadly pollution-producing facility in the ocean so close to their ancestors, the dolphins!
Please don’t be influenced by the corporate or political arena, no matter what’s promised or offered. Lust for power and money taints many! Please be strong, show integrity, and protect our environment by realizing the evil that this facility will generate.
Alessandra DeClario