DAWSON CREEK, B.C. - The RCMP are asking people in northeast B.C. to be vigilant as a deadline draws near on a self-imposed "cease fire" from a person claiming to be responsible for six unsolved pipeline bombings over the last year.
A letter sent to area media in July promised a three-month halt in the attacks if Calgary-based EnCana (TSX:ECA) would begin pulling out of the region. All six bombings, which began last Oct. 11, have been directed at Encana facilities.
With that deadline fast approaching, Sgt. Tim Shields asked area residents Wednesday to be vigilant.
"We have no information to suggest that another explosion will occur, but the individual responsible for the previous six has shown that they are willing to commit criminal acts to get their point across," Shields said in a statement.
Shields asked people to report any suspicious activity to police, who continue their investigation in the area of Tomslake, B.C., located about 1,200 kilometres northeast of Vancouver near the Alberta boundary.
Mounties appealed directly to the bomber.
"We hope that the bomber has had time to reconsider his actions, and will look to non-violent means to discuss the issue of gas exploration. Contact the authorities in a way that you are comfortable with. Violence is not the way to solve any issue," Shields said.
The letter sent to the Dawson Creek Daily News in July warned that things could "get a lot worse" if EnCana didn't comply with the bomber's demand and announce plans to leave the area within five years.
Another letter sent to several media organizations just before the first explosion last year called EnCana "terrorists" and demanded the company shut down immediately.
There have been six bombings since then in the area of Tomslake. The last two occurred in July.
EnCana has offered a $1-million reward leading to the conviction of anyone who may be involved.
Brian Derfler, a member of the group Peace Environmental Safety Trustees who runs a farm in the Peace River region, said little has changed in the area since the bombings began, with the exception of the large police presence in Tomslake.
Derfler said there have been longstanding concerns about the rapid expansion of the oil and gas industry in northeastern B.C. - concerns that have been and continue to be largely ignored by industry and government.
"I don't see the government has changed anything at all. They haven't come to landowners, they haven't come out and said what are the problems out here? Why would this be happening?" he said.
The energy companies haven't, either, he said.
From increased traffic on the roads, to schools located near pipelines filled with poisonous sour gas, he said there are many issues for area residents. But Derfler said he and other concerned citizens don't want the industry to shut down - they just want to be involved in the planning process.
Derfler said he hopes the bomber lets the deadline pass without resuming the campaign. He believes it's someone who's been hurt by the industry and frustrated with their response.
He knows the feeling.
"It is frustrating. They're not listening to us up here," he said.
But the bomber has done a disservice to all who are concerned about the industry, he said.
"A lot of people now won't speak up at all, they won't say what the issues are. They won't criticize the energy companies. They're just scared because if they do they'll be interrogated, they're a suspect," he said.
B.C. Energy Minister Blair Lekstrom, who hails from Dawson Creek, B.C., said most residents are happy with the way the situation is being handled.
"The police are doing their job and I think the people want the individual or individuals who are responsible caught. The way to do that is to have a good law enforcement contingent up there."
