Executive Flight Centre issues press release re: Lemon Creek spill
By Contributor
The following is a press release issued yesterday via Marketwire:
More than two dozen environmental clean-up specialists are now working to contain and clean up the jet fuel that spilled into Lemon Creek in British Columbia’s South Central Kootenay Region on Friday afternoon.
Crews in boats and along the shoreline are monitoring water quality and checking for any signs of contamination. Containment booms have been set up a strategic locations along Lemon Creek and the Slocan River.
The DO NOT USE ORDER issued by Interior Health remains in effect. Residents and visitors are being advised not to drink or swim in the Slocan and Kootenay Rivers above or below Brilliant Dam to the confluence of the Kootenay and Columbia Rivers at Castlegar BC.
Approximately 35-thousand litres of Jet A fuel spilled into Lemon Creek when a tanker truck owned and operated by Executive Flight Centre rolled down a steep embankment and into the creek. The driver suffered minor injuries. The cause of the incident is under investigation. The tanker was delivering the fuel to helicopters fighting the Prairie Ridge fire, west of Winlaw.
“The safety of the public and the environment are paramount,” says Wayne Smook, senior vice president, airport services for Executive Flight Centre. “We have a full environmental emergency response on the ground and are expediting water testing in the creek and tributaries to ensure the water is safe.” The water samples have been sent to the lower mainland for testing and results will be available within the next few days.
“We want to apologize to residents for any hardship that this incident may have caused,” says Smook, “and we want to assure that Executive Flight Centre is working hard to do everything we can to minimize the impact on people and the environment. We’re here until the job is done.”
Executive Flight Centre has launched a full investigation into the incident and also acknowledges the excellent work of various British Columbia departments including Environment, Forestry, Transportation the Regional District and the Regional Health Officer for their assistance and cooperation.
Executive Flight Centre will soon launch a website www.lemoncreekresponse.ca to provide the latest information about the spill.
