UPDATE:
Through a joint effort led by the Prince Rupert Port Authority, the source of an oil leak at Prince Rupert’s Fairview Bay was encapsulated early Saturday evening.
An act of vandalism on port property triggered the fluid leak from decommissioned electrical transformers.
Encapsulation insulates the source of the contamination from contact with rainwater, slowing or stopping the leeching of oil through the surrounding environment.
Quantum Murray, a hazardous materials abatement firm, is working with Western Canada Marine Response Corporation to flush residual oil from the foreshore. Absorbent pads are being used to soak up fluid while standing water is skimmed and hosed into tanker trucks for disposal in accordance with environmental regulations. Floating booms are in place to contain any waterborne pollutants that reach the harbour.
Representatives of SNC-Lavalin Environment, an engineering firm, are taking samples and planning for ongoing environmental monitoring.
Construction began Saturday on a short roadway to allow the extraction of the vandalized electrical equipment.
The property in question was acquired last year by the Port Authority from a third party.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police continue to investigate the criminal act.
Original:
The Prince Rupert Port Authority is leading a response by multiple agencies to remediate the effects of an environmental incident on the Prince Rupert waterfront.
On Friday Port Authority staff became aware of a fluid leak from decommissioned electrical transformers on property acquired last year from a third party. The integrity of the transformers was compromised during an act of vandalism.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating the criminal act.
A quantity of transformer oil has entered the environment in the immediate vicinity of the transformers, located northeast of the Fairview Container Terminal.
Representatives of Western Canada Marine Response Corporation are onsite to contain waterborne contaminants. Quantum Murray, a hazardous materials abatement firm based in Richmond, is overseeing the landside cleanup.
More information will be available as the remediation effort continues.