Caledonia Courier Wednesday, August 1, 2012
www.caledoniacourier.com A3
Courier
NEWS
LEFT: A private bridge collapsed into the Necoslie River recently, and neighbours downstream were wondering when it would be removed. Caledonia Courier Photo
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Bridge raises concerns Ruth Lloyd Caledonia Courier A private bridge over the Necoslie River collapsed on July 16, but still was not removed over a week later. The bridge was connecting property on opposite sides of the river owned by Canyon Tree Farms, and was made of timbers preserved with creosote, creating concern for neighbours. A Work Safe BC investigation into the bridge collapse because one man was injured when it occurred, meant the structure had to stay in place until the site investigation was completed, which a Work Safe BC investigator said on July 26 he believed had been done. While checking on cows in a neighbouring field, Murray Hill saw the collapsed structure in the river, and said the area downstream at the time was “reeking” of creosote. Hill helps manage cattle drinking from the
river just downstream of the collapsed structure and was concerned for the potential effects of the creosote in the water if it was to stay there much longer. Hill was frustrated with the lack of action by government in getting the bridge out of the water as soon as possible. He tried to phone numbers at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the local Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. It was not until he contacted Joanne Vinnedge at the Ministry of Environment he received a response from someone in government, which he appreciated and said it shows she actually cares. “I think the biggest thing here is this is a fish-bearing stream,” said Hill. The Necoslie River runs into the Stuart River right where the Stuart runs out of Stuart Lake. Both rivers support a variety of dif-
ferent fish species. Bridge and property owner Harry Hook said while the collapse was being investigated he could not discuss the collapse but called it an “unfortunate incident” and said the bridge will be dealt with when it was released back into his control. “You can’t move anything until they give you clearance to move it,” said Hook. He said there is no real threat to the river as the bridge had been over a river for thirty years before he put it in over the Necoslie, and it was not a concern then. Hook also emphasized the current low flow of the river through the area at this time. According to the Work Safe BC investigator, the bridge would be released within a matter of days back to the owner and could then be dealt with by the owner. Hook said he planned to remove it as soon as this happened. The investigator also
Court report For files appearing before the Fort St. James Provincial Court on Tuesday, July 24, 2012. Charles B. Duncan was fined $100 for failure to comply with a probation order. Thomas K. F. Duncan was sen-
tenced to 14 days in jail for failure to comply with conditions of undertaking or recognizance. He was also given two sentences of one year suspended sentence and two sentences of one year probation for two counts of mischief relating to property.
said a complaint had been filed to the Ministry of Environment and Environment Canada.
The Ministry of Environment did not return calls prior to press time.
642 Stuart Drive, Fort St. James B.C.
This summer could be a scorcher.
Nearly half of all wildfires in British Columbia are caused by human carelessness. Please prevent and report wildfires. To report a wildfire, call *5555 on your cell. For more information, visit emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca