The following information provides an update to Thursday’s fuel spill cleanup, as of November 9, 2012
The spill continues to be contained.
CN is excavating a 50-foot length section of track to remove impacted soil. The top of the rail grade has been opened up and the impacted soil from that area has been removed and will be remediated at a permitted facility. The track will be restored in the next couple of days.
There has been no apparent seepage of fuel into the water system.
District crews will continue to monitor drainage ditches over the coming days, especially when it rains, to ensure there continues to be no seepage.
CN environmental officials continue to be on site to ensure the cleanup is conducted in a safe and efficient manner.
BC’s Ministry of the Environment is on-site and assessing the situation and impact.
Preliminary environmental reports indicate that the impacted area is confined to the immediate spill area, adjacent to the track.
At this time no waterways are impacted. CN continues to implement measures to recover the fuel from the ground as quickly as possible.
All recreational trails throughout the estuary remain open.
Squamish First Nation and the Squamish River Watershed Society are being kept apprised of the situation.
On Thursday, November 8, the District of Squamish Fire Department was called to the scene of a CN diesel fuel spill that happened at approximately 7 a.m. The spill occurred in the Squamish Estuary on CN lands, just north of Squamish Terminals. The spill area is not immediately adjacent to residences or trails.
CN crew members were immediately aware of the spill and were able to contain the fuel quickly with their own containment methods. Quantum Murray, a hazardous materials company, was on site by 7:30 a.m. The Conservation Officer Service and the RCMP also responded, in addition to the Squamish Fire Department.
Containment and remediation of the area is being led by CN and Quantum Murray, and includes such measures as: containing the area of the spill with a containment boom, using absorbent pads to soak up the fuel, and digging to remove contaminated soil.
District Operations crews are currently inspecting drainage channels leading from the estuary, and are establishing absorb-all tubes along the ditch line to prevent diesel from leaching into the drainage systems.
At this time, the extent of the damage to the affected area of the estuary is not known. Recreational trails in the estuary remain open and are expected to stay that way.
“It appears the response to the spill has been swift, we are in liaison with CN and we are monitoring the situation closely,” says District of Mayor Rob Kirkham. “In addition to the site clean-up work conducted by CN and Quantum Murray, District crews are working to mitigate further damage outside of the immediate spill area. We are hopeful the damage to the estuary will be minimal and we will remain on top of this to ensure a continued comprehensive response by all parties.”
Further details will be made available as they are confirmed.
November 9, 2012
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