Independent Primary Assessment of Husky Energy Oil contamination into Saskatchewan River Report
- Details
- Published on Friday, 02 September 2016 11:00
- Written by editor
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Paov -- Independent Primary Assessment of Husky Energy Oil Contamination into Saskatchewan River Report Released Today
The report is the result
of collaboration between Idle No More, the Assembly of Manitoba
Chiefs, the Council of Canadians, the National Aboriginal People’s
Circle, the Public Service Alliance of Canada (Prairie Region), and
others, in response to the lack of independent information surrounding
the July 20, 2106 Husky Energy oil spill. The report covers basic
information on oil spills in waterways, potential risks to health and
ecology, interpretation of lab results, and recommendations for future
actions and monitoring.
The report was written by independent
scientists from E-Tech International and Resurgence Environmental as a
response to communities concerned with the secrecy and slow response
of Husky Energy after the North Saskatchewan River oil spill. The
report provides information on the behaviour and health risks
associated with the spill, a critical analysis of the inadequate
response by Husky, and sediment sample results that show the
contamination has reached at least as far as the Cecil Ferry
downstream of Prince Albert.
Summary of Findings:
- Husky’s late reaction to the July 20th, 2016 oil spill (14 hour delay) allowed time for the spill to travel much further downstream than if they had reacted immediately. It also allowed time for the heavier components of the diluted crude oil to attach to sediment particles and submerge into the water column and to the bottom of the North Saskatchewan River.
- Husky Energy has not been transparent with its sampling data or cleanup plans.
- Husky Energy did not warn residents of the health risks associated with evaporating BTEX-group chemicals and other volatile compounds that are present in peak concentrations in the first 48 hours after a spill. Husky should have warned residents (especially children and pregnant women) to stay away from the river immediately after the spill.
- E-Tech/RE samples showed the presence of BTEX chemicals and PAHs at the Tobey Nollet Bridge and the Cecil Ferry downstream of Prince Albert. The specific PAHs found at Cecil Ferry were all found near the spill site at Tobey Nollet Bridge, indicating that the hydrocarbons at Cecil Ferry are very likely the result of the July 20th Husky spill.
- Infrastructure improvements need to be a priority in order to prevent further spills. Husky should disclose all of its pipeline inspection data, its pipeline maintenance schedule, and the ages of all sections of pipeline. Soil stability also needs to be considered an integral component of pipeline stability and geotechnical data near pipeline supports should be provided by Husky.
- The James Smith Cree Nation needs to be supported in its effort to mitigate and monitor the damage to their traditional territory. Funds should be made available to communities interested in conducting their own mitigation and monitoring efforts. E-Tech/RE can assist in training local environmental monitors.
For more information contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Ricardo
Segovia, 604-704-1232
Idle No More Info
http://www.idlenomore.ca/ Idle No More · Canada
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