Clean-up efforts still underway at Lemon Creek from jet fuel spill

VICTORIA – Environment officials say there is still some clean-up to be done on Lemon Creek from a massive jet-fuel spill last month, but most of the other affected waterways are back to normal, with no lingering signs of the fuel.

The Ministry of Environment says crews are still recovering materials from the creek after 35,000 litres of jet fuel were spilled from a tanker truck on July 26, but no fuel has been detected in the Slocan River or Kootenay River systems since Aug.1.

The spill prompted an evacuation alert, as well as do-not-use water restrictions, but the bans were lifted earlier this month and Interior Health Authority is satisfied the water is safe to drink.

Executive Flight Centre, the company that owned the tanker truck and has been coordinating clean-up efforts, has apologized for the accident, and says it will be forwarding a plan to the Ministry of Environment on how to monitor the creek for any lingering effects.

The spill has sparked outrage among the Slocan Valley community, and has prompted one resident to launch a lawsuit against the province and the company.

The lawsuit alleges the spill has led to the death and departure of wildlife in the area, but the ministry says aside from a small number of dead fish and birds found on the shoreline, there is no indication there has been a devastating impact on wildlife.