Now it’s 2021 and the problem’s getting worse.” “This is a problem that’s been known since 1995. “What Teck and other mining companies have learned is not to worry about Environment Canada,” he said. Lars Sanders-Green of Wildsight, an environmental group that has been following the issue, pointed out that Teck Coal has taken billions of dollars out of the Elk Valley. Teck Coal must also remove selenium before it reaches the Fording River and follow requirements on water diversions, mine planning, fish monitoring and calcite prevention. The remaining $2 million is to go to general revenues. “You have my commitment that we will not waver in our focus on addressing this challenge and working to ensure that the environment is protected.”Īlmost all of the fine, $58 million, is to go to the federal Environmental Damages Fund to support projects that benefit the environment. By 2020, Teck’s own research showed those fish populations had almost collapsed. The Fording River and other streams in the area are home to westslope cutthroat trout, a native species considered endangered. In 2020, investigators concluded Teck hadn’t done enough to fix the problem and issued direction to the company on water quality. Upstream of the mines, selenium concentrations were about one microgram per litre. Both figures are many times higher than levels considered to be safe for river ecosystems. “Teck Coal did not have a comprehensive plan to address the deposit of coal mine waste.”Įnvironment Canada investigators found in 2012 that selenium concentrations were as high as 90 micrograms per litre in the Fording River and up to 177 micrograms in settling ponds at the mines.
“Prior to 2009, Teck Coal was aware selenium and calcite could be environmentally harmful,” Clarkson said. ‘Aggressive’ human-caused wildfire near Harrison Lake grows to 800 hectares.Ryan Gauld nets winner as Vancouver Whitecaps beat Montreal to claim Canadian Championship.
#Elk river star news s update#
wildfires remain major concern as officials set to provide an update Bus fire in Chilliwack closes roads and cuts power to thousands.
0 kommentar(er)
