Howe Sound Pulp and Paper (HSPP) was the scene of a significant oil spill last weekend. Mill employees unloading a ship at the company's dock discovered the spill on April 8. The spill, estimated at 100 gallons or 378 litres, is four times the average pickup's gas tank.
In a press release, Al Strang, manager of environmental and external relations for HSPP, said the oil "was much heavier than anything we have on site and we are confident that the mill is not the source [of the spill]. After discovering the oil we deployed our oil containment boom and began placing oil soaker pads."
Burrard Clean Operations, a Lower Mainland company that specializes in cleaning up oil, was contacted immediately. A Transport Canada representative was on site to investigate and Environment Canada was on hand to assess the impact.Strang said the government agencies and the clean-up company gave kudos to the mill for its prompt handling of the spill. According to Strang, the actions of the mill's employees prevented a much larger area from being impacted.
Several waterfowl were caught in the spill, however.
Clint Davy of Gibsons Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre managed to rescue two Canada geese; another goose and a merganser duck eluded him. Irene Davy of the rehab centre said one of the geese was badly oiled.
"It took three baths to get it clean. The second goose needed only two baths," she said.
The rescue effort involves a careful washing of the feather in Dawn dish washing liquid. Irene advised once the bird's feathers are again waterproof the fowl can be released back to their native environment. Strang said Burrard Clean would be on the foreshore until the area is cleaned up to Environment Canada's satisfaction.
