Clarification, May 30, 2024:
The original publication, on May 29, 2024, had noted that the reported spill affected 48 cubic metres or 2-300L of shoreline, the Ministry has advised that they have removed 48 cubic metres of oil and contaminated water. The publication has been adjusted to to clarify this information.
The following statement has been issued on behalf of the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Strategy (ENV), in collaboration with the Peace River Regional District
On Sunday, May 19, 2024, a spill of used, mixed oil/petroleum occurred just outside the City of Fort St. John borders, within the Fish Creek area and near 269 Road. The spill was reported through the Charlie Lake Fire Department (CLFD).
The source of the spill is currently unknown, and the B.C. Conservation Officer Service is leading an investigation.
The reported spill has affected approximately 2-3000 metres of shoreline.
Up to date information is available on the Province’s Spill Incidents webpage.
Provincial environmental staff and a spill response contractor have been working on-site daily to manage the spill, which has been identified as used oil. [MSG1] The bulk of the spilled material was removed on May 24, 2024. On May 25, 2024, emergency spill response actions concluded.
A coordination call involving Indigenous stakeholders, local authorities, health authorities and Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness (EMCR[MSG2] ) was held on May 24, 2024, and the transition from emergency spill response to long-term monitoring and recovery commenced. The PRRD will continue to provide updates as they become available.
Information for impacted residents
Impacted residents should stay away and keep domestic animals and livestock away.
Going forward
- Sampling will continue. The rate at which samples are collected and analyzed will decrease as the level of contamination also decreases.
- Currently, sampling is happening daily, but this will decrease over time to weekly, monthly, and seasonally (fall, winter, spring) and is expected to continue until 2025.
- Collection booms remain in place. There are currently 3 sets of collection booms in place on Fish Creek between 269 Rd and 116 St. (A picture of one boom set is attached). These sets include a collection boom to allow floating oil to be captured and sorbent materials to absorb the oil that collects there and deterrents to keep birds out of the immediate area. This will remain in place as long as recoverable oil is being collected. Ministry staff and contractors are routinely monitoring these areas. Once recoverable oil stops accumulating in these areas the boom sets will be removed.
- Ministry staff will continue to work with the Peace River Regional District to communicate sample results.
Other things to expect
- It is not possible to recover 100% of all the oil that was spilled. There will be signs of an oil spill in the area for at least a year.
- Response is led by a concept called Net Environmental Benefit. At some point there is a time that more action in the area will cause more harm to the environment than allowing natural degradation of the oil. An example of how the response can cause harm is how much vegetation and animal habitat is destroyed by driving heavy equipment on the banks of creek.
- It is normal and expected to see some rainbow sheen on the water. This is oil that cannot be captured that is floating to the surface and evaporating.
- It is expected that small amounts of dark oil will build up in the booms that remain in place. This is the intent of this equipment and is being monitored by staff and contractors.
- The booms are set up in specific places ideal for collection. They should not be moved, adjusted or tampered with in any way. Should there be a problem with the boom, report it to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy though the spill reporting hotline (1-800-663-3456).
- In the area of the largest impact there is a black ring around the edges of the creek where oil has stained the grasses and shoreline. It is very invasive to remove this ring and would cause more harm to the environment than good. For the time being this blackened area may be tacky or sticky to the touch. Over time this will solidify and with new grass growth will dissipate.
- Area residents are asked to avoid the areas of impact and the ongoing works. Please take steps to prevent domestic animals or livestock from entering the impacted areas.
For updated information, please visit the Province’s Spill Incidents webpage.
Links: Unknown Spill in Fish Creek, BC
Contact information:
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Media Relations
250 953-3834 | envmedia@gov.bc.ca
Spill area
Collection booms in place on Fish Creek between 269 Rd and 116 St. Courtesy of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
