Ella Does Squamish

Approximately 29,000 litres of oil was spilled in the Squamish estuary last Friday.  As one of the Squamish tourist draws started as well last Friday (the ‘Squamish Loggers Sports Competion’, now in its 49th year) the local news about oil-spill related damage to sensitive wetlands and estuary, wildlife (birds and salmon spawning areas) has been under the radar here.  All areas that locals could access to survey the damage have been blocked and people in the local community who are concerned about ecological damage and would have offered help have not been involved in the clean-up efforts.  From what I gather it is the responsibility of the shipping company to hire clean-up companies and personnel - there is some over-sight from BC govt. but very little local input.

This oil spill, which may not be catastrophic as far as oil-spills go (in comparison to Exxon-Valdez, for example), is almost a year to the day from a train derailment that contaminated the local Cheakamus River (that flows into the Howe Sound estuary eventually to my knowledge).  There was already community concern about the environmental impact of this train derailment on the salmon spawning grounds in local rivers which in turn draws bald eagles to the local rivers to feed and mate in the winter months. 

Since my arrival here in May, there have been three major and horrific train derailments on the track that goes through Squamish to points north.  The terrain these long trains traverse is incredible (and scarey, if driving into Pemberton is any indication!)   The track used to be owned and maintained by BC Rail but they sold it to CN a few years ago.  Some speculate that this privatization has led to decreased regulatory oversight. 

It is hard to assess the damage caused by last Friday’s oil spill.  We can hear ‘cannon’ going off frequently in the distance - this is to stop Canada Geese and other birds from landing in oil laden areas.   There has been a helicopter circling the impacted area - not sure if this is to keep people like myself and Richard from snooping.