A Burnaby environmentalist is fearing the worst for spawning salmon as water in a creek at the Trans Mountain tank farm has turned muddy with silt.
John Preissl sent the NOW a video (readers can view it below) that was shot on Thursday afternoon during a torrential downpour. The video shows silty water on Eagle Creek at the tank farm site.
There is currently extensive work being done by Trans Mountain on the tank farm site, including heavy machinery moving earth.
“All of the best engineers, hydrology companies, Environmental companies, Trans Mountain, Environment and Climate Change Canada, BC Ministry of Environment etc. always lose the battle with Burnaby Mountain,” Preissl said. “This as the sacred salmon are just starting to head up the Brunette River. The site is another recipe for disaster in our sacred salmon creeks.”
The video was taken by one of one of “community monitors,” who check local creeks, especially during rainy periods.Preissl has sent the video to various authorities asking for a site inspection and water testing.
Preissl raised the alarm about the same situation in November 2018, with silty water seen in Eagle Creek.
In a NOW story from that incident, Trans Mountain issued a response assuring the public that all steps are taken to protect the creeks from tank farm work.
“Trans Mountain has extensive sediment control measures and mitigation efforts in place at Burnaby Terminal, including a water management plan, an erosion and sediment control plan, and ongoing daily environmental monitoring,” a spokesperson said in an email. “These measures are outlined in various plans submitted to and approved by the National Energy Board related to the work currently underway at the terminal.”
According to the company, the work that has been ongoing at the tank farm is not related to the expansion project. Existing infrastructure is being moved, the spokesperson said.
“This work includes moving equipment to site, preparing worksites by removing brush and trees, installing temporary roadways and relocating existing infrastructure, including pipe,” the spokesperson said.
