A local conservation officer is investigating a diesel spill after a bus’s fuel line broke on Thursday, Jan. 19.
Ben Beetlestone, conservation officer for Castlegar, is investigating after a bus lost diesel on Seventh Avenue outside the Castlegar & District Community Health Centre on Jan. 19, and members of the public submitted complaints that the diesel was not properly contained.
As the investigation is still underway, Beetlestone wasn’t able to offer much comment.
“All I can say is that diesel did enter into the environment,” he said. “I’m just gathering all the information and going to be seeing what happens from there.”
Castlegar News also received reports from residents living in the area that the diesel was still in the roadway days later, and that it had been allowed to enter the storm drain. One resident sent photos showing fuel in his driveway and flowing into the storm drain.
Asked what the appropriate procedure is in the event of a spill like this, the Ministry of Environment replied: “If a fuel spill occurs on a roadway, the material must be contained, collected, and disposed of in an appropriate manner.”
The ministry also said that the public can call the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line at 1-877-952-7277 if they see suspected violations of environmental protection laws.