Robson Bight Spill Response Transitions to Monitoring Phase

News Release

August 24, 2007

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG),
Lee Roy Trucking (the Responsible Party), BC Parks wardens and
Ministry of Environment (MOE) staff will continue to monitor the
site at the Robson Bight (Michael Bigg) Ecological Reserve as we
move from a spill response to the monitoring phase. The
Responsible Party has identified a monitoring plan which
includes both air and water components.
Due to the significantly high evaporation rate of diesel fuel,
the bulk of the product released in the incident has dissipated.
The Regional Environmental Emergency Team (REET) and the
Canadian Coast Guard are of the view that it is highly likely
that the submerged tanks imploded on descent, releasing the fuel
which evaporated on the surface of the water. Shoreline surveys
by Environment Canada, MOE and CCG officials have confirmed that
no sheen or oil impacted the shoreline.Daily observations by whale experts with DFO have found the
whales appear to be behaving normally with their typical summer
foraging pattern. The protective booms around the rubbing
beaches were removed as experts believed they may affect the
natural behaviours of the whales.
Focus Wildlife has concluded a survey for any affected wildlife.
Although the Ministry of Environment has received reports of
distressed bird sightings, none of these sightings have been
confirmed amongst the thousands of birds that currently inhabit
the reserve. The Canadian Wildlife Service is conducting an
aerial migratory bird survey on Friday, August 24. The public
can report unusual wildlife behaviour in the area by calling
1-877-952-7277.Federal and Provincial staff have been in contact with First
Nations in the area since the incident began. Transport Canada
continues to investigate the incident for violations to the
Canada Shipping Act, and the Transportation Safety Board is
assessing all available information to determine the most
appropriate action to take.

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CONTACTS:

Dept. Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian
Coast Guard
Dan Bate
Communications Officer
604-775-8809

Environment Canada
Micheline Brodeur
Senior Communications Advisor
604-713-9539

Transport Canada
Rod Nelson
Communications Director
604-666-1675
B.C. Ministry of Environment
Kate Thompson
Manager, Media Relations
250-953-4577

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Robson Bight Spill Response Transitions to Monitoring Phase

News Release

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