FORT ST. JOHN -- It’s not clear what caused an oil spill in a creek near Fort St. John.
B.C.’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy says the cause of the spill in the area near Fish Creek is unknown.
The spill has been determined to be a combination of used oil and petroleum. The majority of the spill has been cleaned up by workers who have been on-site.
On May 19th the spill was reported to the Charlie Lake Fire Department.An Environmental Emergency Response Officer was sent to the site the next day.
A wetland and the fish bearing creek have been impacted by the spilled material according the Ministry of Environment.
“There are potential impacts to local wildlife. There are residential and agricultural water users downstream of the impacted area,” said the ministry
Notifications were sent to the Northern Health Authority, First Nations Health Authority, the Peace River Regional District, Doig River First Nation, and Blueberry First Nation.
“Long-term containment measures will remain on site. These measures include collection booms, absorbents, and wildlife deterrents. Collection booms and absorbents will collect and recover residual spilled material. They will be removed when the spilled material no longer accumulates to a volume that is recoverable,” said a statement online.
The Conservation Officer Service is leading the investigation to identify a person or people responsible for the spill.
Long-term containment measures will remain on site. These measures include collection booms, absorbents, and wildlife deterrents.
They will be removed when the spilled material no longer accumulates to a volume that is recoverable.
