Less than three years after 29,000 litres of oil was dumped into the Squamish Estuary, the shipping company involved in the spill has met its clean-up responsibilities, according to the B.C. Ministry of Environment. But the announcement has caused confusion and frustration among estuary advocates.
The ministry's Environmental Management Act director, Jennifer McGuire, sent out a letter April 15 stating the province cancelled the pollution abatement order placed upon Gearbulk after its ship the Westwood Anette lost the oil when its hull was pierced while at the Squamish Terminals August 4, 2006.
The order, issued with a month of the spill, included three conditions: an environmental assessment and abatement plan, implementation of the Westwood Anette spill and wildlife response plan, and implementation of a waste management plan.
The April 15 letter states conditions of the abatement order are "considered to be satisfied." It also states the cancellation "in no way verifies that the estuary and lands impacted are considered to be recovered or free of contamination."
The decision has confounded waterways advocates, including Squamish River Watershed Society executive director Edith Tobe.
"I don't understand Environment Canada's standards on this and why they wouldn't demand monitoring continue or cleaning continue until there's no material to be worried about," said Tobe.
Calls to the Environment Ministry were not immediately returned Monday (April 27).
Tobe said there still exists in the estuary obvious pollution directly related to the spill, and the province's move is indicative of its weak stance on the environment.
"The concern I have is that you and I can go out there today and still see oil sediments and it's still going into the water column," said Tobe. "The fact that it's met all whatever the requirements from the government were I think is sadly reflective the government's standards. I think they're very low."
The decision means the shipping company no longer has to provide funds for pollution monitoring or clean up, leaving the entire cost related to monitoring the estuary on the shoulders of local non-profit organizations.
Tobe said various groups - including the Watershed Society, the Streamkeepers and the Conversation Society - have undertaken monitoring with the help of private donations and with District of Squamish funds.
She said she hopes the district still wants to continue funding the estuary initiatives in the wake of council's decision not to fill the environmental co-ordinator position.
"I think there would be some opportunity to consult with the District of Squamish and see if there's a desire to continue on studying what the long term effects are," she said.
"I think that's an issue to also raise, that in the absence of an environmental co-ordinator, does the district have an environmental conscience still?"
Calls to Mayor Greg Gardner were not immediately returned Monday (April 27).
