Cheakamus River Spill

As reported by the Vancouver Sun, August 6, 2005
Vancouver Sun

Derailment's toxic spill closes river to all users

CHEAKAMUS THREAT I Wildlife, people at risk after 8 freight cars jump tracks

Richard Chu
Vancouver Sun
Saturday, August 06, 2005

Salmon, birds and other wildlife are threatened after nearly 50,000 litres of a toxic chemical spilled into the Cheakamus River when a train derailed early Friday.

"There has been a fish kill and associated damage to the aquatic habitat resulting from this spill," the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority said in a public advisory notice.

CN Rail said in a news release that a 144-car train bound for Prince George from North Vancouver derailed around 7:15 a.m. about 30 kilometres north of Squamish.

One of the derailed cars was loaded with 50,000 litres of sodium hydroxide, a highly corrosive liquid used to make a wide variety of materials, including artificial fabrics and paper.

The tank car was one of eight that tumbled down the steep embankment. It broke open, spilling most of its contents into the Cheakamus River, a B.C. Environment Ministry official said.

"It's harmful to aquatic life and certainly with the corrosiveness there's concern for any immediate contact in the area with the material," said emergency response officer Harold Riedler.

River otters, ducks, deer and salmon live along the Cheakamus, according to area tour operator Evan Phillips of Canadian Outback Adventures, who runs rafting tours in the area.

"It's a critical time for fishing. There is a pink run every two years and they're running up the river right now," he said. "The salmon that run up there, the chum, the pink and steelhead -- this is a critical time for steelhead right now."

The advisory issued by the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority said no one should drink, swim or eat any fish or wildlife from the river until cleanup of the spill has been completed.

At least one resident of the area has been told not to use water from his well as a precaution, Riedler added.

Riedler said the environment ministry has issued a warning through the RCMP for people to avoid activities in or along the Cheakamus, which flows into the Squamish River and then into Howe Sound.

"We're ensuring public safety," Riedler said. "We're doing everything we can to ensure the public is aware of this incident. We're encouraging no activity within 100 metres of both sides of the river."

Riedler said samples were being taken from the river to measure the rate of dilution of the chemical, which dissolves in water and is impossible to recover.

Nearby wells may also be tested, he said.

The railway was assessing how to remove the remaining chemical from the damaged tank car and also how to clean up residue along the riverbank, Riedler said.

Phillips said he and other tour operators in the area have been told to cancel all activities on and along the river until at least Monday. He said the accident comes at the worst time, as August is the peak season for area tour operators. "At this time of year, we go on the river three times a day, with 35 people mid-week. We run up in the 40 to 45 range per day on that river," he said.

In the long term, Phillips said, the effects of the spill could seriously impact eco-tourism all along the river's course into Howe Sound.

"The Squamish flows into Howe Sound, where [there is] wind surfing and other recreational activities [in] the estuary, so this not only affects the isolated rafting industry, but the whole recreational industry in the corridor."

CN said it had sent a work crew to the site to recover the cars, clean up the spill and restore service to the line, which used to be operated by the Crown-owned BC Rail before CN acquired it from the province.


The cause of the derailment is under investigation by officials from various agencies, including the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada and Transport Canada.

The train was travelling at about 32 km/h when the cars left the track, which runs parallel to the highway leading to the resort town of Whistler.

Police said there were no injuries.

rchu@png.canwest.com

© The Vancouver Sun 2005