The B.C. Ministry of Environment and the Canadian Coast Guard are working with the Cheslatta Carrier Nation in an effort to salvage two sunk tug boats and to address water quality concerns regarding leaked fuel and oil.
On April 8, 2013, two tug boats were reported sunk in Forestry Bay on Ootsa Lake, approximately 60 km south of Burns Lake. Ice cover in Forestry Bay at the time acted as a natural boom to contain spilt contaminants.
The majority of the oil was cleaned up quickly with a vacuum skimmer system and absorbent pads.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Cheslatta Carrier Nation has retained the services of a qualified emergency response spill organization, certified salvage divers and an environmental impact consultant.
As of April 12, 2013, Northern Health advises that it does not believe that there will be any drinking water issues, although local water users have been notified.
“There is currently 12 inches of ice hemming the site,” reads an April 17, 2013 update provided by Cheslatta Carrier Nation. “Salvage operations will commence once the area is ice free. Pollution booms will remain in place and daily monitoring will continue until salvage operations are complete.”
No further comments were available regarding why the tugs sank.
