Wollaston Lake Residents Dealing With Diesel Spill
Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 13:44
A councillor with the Hatchet Lake First Nation says he is not sure how long it will take to clean up a serious fuel spill on Wollaston Lake.
Alec Josie says band members first noticed diesel flowing into the water from a nearby holding tank yesterday morning.
Josie says it is not clear just how the accident happened, but they have contacted government officials and nearby mining companies for help.
He adds water in the community has been shut off until further notice.
Residents are also being asked to stay away from the area of the spill, and not to allow their children near it. Boats are also being asked to keep away.
An official with the government who specializes in spills says work is already underway to address the scene of the accident.
Wes Kotyk estimates between 5,000 and 6,000 litres of diesel is now in the bay area of Wollaston lake.
He says the fuel will likely stick together in one big plume until it is mopped up.
Kotyk says the government is making sure it’s handled right away.
He says a cleanup will begin immediately after officials properly assess the situation.
Kotyk adds residents can expect to see a lot of boats in the area using booms and skimmer equipment to remove the diesel.
Kotyk says government workers will also be taking steps to measure the spill’s impact on the water, fish and surrounding vegetation.
Meanwhile, the circumstances surrounding yesterday’s spill are being probed by police.
RCMP spokesperson Heather Russell says officers are trying to determine who may have caused the spill, and if it was intentional.
Josie says he doesn’t think yesterday’s spill was caused by a mechanical malfunction.
Josie thinks someone in the community, possibly a youth, opened up the diesel tank and didn’t turn it off.
Josie and other band leaders are calling on local residents to conserve their water as much as possible, so they don’t run dry before the problem is fixed.
An emergency community meeting has been scheduled for tonight.