The Athabasca Fort Chipewyan First Nation has withdrawn itself from a regulatory hearing for a new pipeline out of Fort McMurray.
The three billion dollar Grand Rapids pipeline would transport 900 thousand barrels per day from the oil sands down to the Edmonton area, according to the Globe and Mail.
The ACFN says it’s opposed to the route because it goes through traditional land, and would result in more oil sands development that would go against its aboriginal rights.
Chief Allan Adam says he was dumbfounded by the regulatory process, and pulled out because he says it was predjudiced.
The project would be a split partnership between TransCanada and PetroChina.
It wants to start construction this year, to finish the line in 2017.
