EOC issues spill update; provides contact information for residents
By Castlegar Source
While the Regional District of Central Kootenay’s Emergency Operations Centre has been scaled back following the lifting of an Evacuation Order and a State of Local Emergency, residents can continue to contact the Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-268-7325 throughout today.
Although much of the fuel has vaporized and air/water sample levels are within prescribed standards, the Interior Health Authority has a order in place that impacts surface water users south of Lemon Creek within the geographic area covered by the evacuation order.
Residents using surface water should refrain from drinking or irrigating crops with surface water at this time. Persons intending to recreate or swim in the Slocan River and smaller tributaries should NOT do so at this time for health reasons.
The Interior Health Authority contact is Gretchen Rondestvedt. She can be reached at (250) 215-4103;
The Ministry of Environment along with other agencies continues to remediate the impacts of the fuel spill and monitor water courses and air quality throughout the geographic evacuation order area.
The Ministry of Environment contact is Rick Wagner. He can be reached at (250)-851-6410.
The Ministry of Forests and the Southeast Fire Centre have advised that the truck tanker has been removed from Lemon Creek. Executive Flight Services continues with remediation measures at the Lemon Creek incident site. Executive Flight Services has the lead role in these efforts. Executive Flight Services can be reached at (403) 291-2825.
The Regional District of Central Kootenay is very appreciative of the efforts of the many volunteer fire departments and the numerous agencies and individuals who assisted in responding to the incident and subsequent evacuation of residents. The RDCK will continue to work with the above organizations and other supporting agencies in the immediate future, as required.
Residents who have specific concerns are asked to contact the appropriate organizations. The Emergency Operations Centre will continue to operate until it is not necessary to staff it.
