https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/oil-spill-near-vancouver-proves-risk-of-increase-in-kinder-morgan-tankers-672230653.html
Oil Spill Near Vancouver Proves Risk of Increase in Kinder Morgan Tankers
News provided by
kaur communications
Feb 01, 2018, 17:45 ET
VANCOUVER, Feb. 1, 2018 /CNW/ - An oil spill off the coast of Vancouver
in Howe Sound, which has dumped hundreds of litres of diesel into the
local marine environment is being decried by environmental groups today
as proof of the danger of increased tanker traffic that could result
from the Kinder Morgan pipeline.
Howe Sound is the unceded territory of the Squamish Nation, who have
never given consent for oil tankers to traverse their territory.
"When spills happen, they can devastate our coastline. Oil spills
directly impact our economy, culture, and community who have lived off
our homelands for thousands of years. The risk of spills is always
present in our minds, and our communities feel the consequences." -
Squamish Nation councillor and spokesperson Dustin Rivers.
Environmental organizations along the coast stand with the Squamish
Nation and local communities, and are preparing to support in the
aftermath of this oil spill to this territory, including sending
personnel to document the spill with a drone and video cameras.
This barge sinking, and the lack of information provided to the impacted
communities, demonstrates that the West Coast is not prepared, and
cannot afford the 700% tanker increase proposed by the Kinder Morgan
Trans Mountain Expansion project.
"The oil spill in Howe Sound will have devastating impacts on the
resident orca and salmon populations that our Indigenous cultures are
dependent on," stated William George, member of Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
"Just this month we saw orcas around the Sunshine Coast. The Kinder
Morgan tanker increase puts Indigenous culture, ceremony and food at too
great a risk".
"Today's spill is another heartbreaking reminder that it's not a
question of if spills will happen, it's when, where, and how much," said
Jolan Bailey, a campaigner at Leadnow.
"As Justin Trudeau's plane flies over Howe Sound on the eve of his town
hall in Nanaimo tomorrow, we hope he glimpses the sheen of diesel on the
waters below. Today's oil spill foreshadows what's to come if Kinder
Morgan is allowed to bring 400 tankers to the coast each year. The
accident is a stark and gut-wrenching reminder of why we need more
protection for critical species such as salmon and herring and more
scientific study of spill response readiness on the coast," said Jessica
Wilson, Head of the Oil Campaign at Greenpeace Canada.
"This is another reminder of what is at stake if we allow Canada's west
coast to be turned into a super highway for crude oil exports," said
Sven Biggs, campaigner for Stand.earth "Howe Sound is a natural wonder.
Places like this need protection but instead Justin Trudeau is
threatening them with disaster."
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https://globalnews.ca/news/4001599/howe-sound-diesel-spill-port-mellon/
[videosa and images in on-line article]
Diesel spill follows barge sinking near Port Mellon in Howe Sound
By Jesse Ferreras National Online Journalist Global News
A barge sank and a fuel tank on board leaked diesel on Wednesday in a
spill that was later contained in Howe Sound.
A diesel spill that happened in the waters off of Port Mellon in Howe
Sound on Wednesday has been contained for the most part, according to
the company charged with the cleanup.
The spill took place after reports that a barge sunk close to Port
Mellon, according to the Canadian Coast Guard.
Crews with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC) were on
the scene Wednesday with three vessels and six staffers so they could
carry out some “skimming operations,” said WCMRC spokesman Michael Lowry.
The crews returned to the scene on Thursday morning with the same
contingent of vessels and crew.
The source of the spill turned out to be a fuel tank that was on board
the barge, the Canadian Coast Guard told Global News.
The tank’s contents have been exhausted and “no further upwelling has
been observed,” the Coast Guard added.
The size of the spill isn’t clear — Lowry said there was an unconfirmed
figure suggesting it was about 120 litres, which is small, according to him.
“We get called out to spills of this nature roughly 20 times a year, so
this is a relatively small spill,” he told Global News.
A boom has been placed around the spill and “a surface sheen of diesel
has been recovered,” the Coast Guard said.
For now, the Coast Guard is trying to contact the owner of the barge to
let them know their liability for any costs incurred in connection with
the cleanup.
Nevertheless, the spill happened in the territory of the Squamish Nation
— and they were “deeply disappointed” that it took place.
“When spills happen, they can devastate our coastline,” said a statement
from Squamish Nation spokesperson Dustin Rivers.
“Fuel spills directly impact our economy, culture and community who have
lived off our homelands for thousands of years.”
WCMRC is still determining whether crews will need to tackle the spill
again on Friday.
