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Friday, May 13, 2016
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Meeting with BCLC reps leaves mayor feeling better about casinos
Diesel spill cleanup in bay moving along
No promise of a second gaming facility in the region
Katherine Engqvist News Gazette staff
Katherine Engqvist News Gazette staff
More details of the British Columbia Lottery Corporation marketplace study of the Capital Regional District have been released to West Shore officials, but some are still questioning the numbers. A number of BCLC representatives were in the area last week meeting with interested parties, including View Royal Mayor David Screech and Langford Mayor Stew Young, to try laying some of those concerns to rest. “I’m not sure if it’s put all fears to rest just yet,” Screech said after the meeting. But, he added, ”I certainly walked away from it feeling more positive than I have in the last few weeks.” While he still questioned some of the numbers put forward by the BCLC, he noted he had yet to have an indepth look at them. “I did get the real impression that they want to sort this out in ways that work for everybody.” With representatives from the BCLC, Great Canadian Gaming Corp. and local municipalities, Screech said the meeting allowed them to air all of their concerns and fears. “All the people that are going to be involved in the decision-making process were sitting at that table.” PleASe See: Lottery Corp., Page A5
Arnold Lim/News Gazette staff
Members of Western Canada Marine Response Corporation perform a lowpressure shoreline flush along Plumper Bay off Esquimalt Nation territory. The flush pumps water into an area within a containment boom so the diesel spilled into the bay can more easily be skimmed from the top of the water.
MLS 364740
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Clean-up efforts continue in and around Esquimalt Harbour. After high winds early Sunday morning a spud barge – named for the type of pilings it uses – broke free from its mooring and ran aground in Plumper Bay on the Esquimalt First Nation. It was estimated the barge contained up to 40,000 litres of diesel. “We’ve been working around the clock every since,” said Michael Lowry, Western Canada Marine Response Corp. spokesperson. He noted the harbour master was able to put containment booms around the barge and at the mouth of Plumper Bay and credits that quick reaction for helping to limit the spread of the spill. As of Tuesday night, Lowry said, the estimated fuel recovered was 27,000 litres. At that time, crews were dealing with the on-water portion of the spill. Operations shifted to the shoreline Wednesday. “So far the impact on wildlife has been limited,” he said, adding “there will be ongoing sampling of the site.” Vancouver Pile Driving, owner of the barge, has assumed command of spill-response operations, with Western Canada Marine Response Corp. engaged to handle marine clean-up and Quantum Murray brought in to assist with shoreline cleanup. Focus Wildlife has also been contracted to assist with wildlife assessment, which are ongoing. Representatives from the B.C. Ministry of Environment are also monitoring the situation. The Ministry of Environment said in a statement that the barge has been temporarily repaired and once a removal plan has been approved by the Transport Canada, it may be removed. On Tuesday, Island Health called for people to avoid the water and shoreline in the Plumper Bay area, while Fisheries and Oceans Canada put a prohibition on harvesting all fish species from Esquimalt Harbour in the wake of the spill. katie@goldstreamgazette.com
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