A spill on the western edge of Pacific Coast Terminal's Port Moody property is believed to be oil that had seeped out from a decaying drum.
Workers noticed the spill on Wednesday morning in a sheen that was estimated at 100 m by 50 m. It's believed the source is an old oil drum that was dug up as part of PCT's ongoing excavation work for its expansion.
"We have to build the foreshore out a little bit to extend the tracks to accommodate the bigger potash trains," said PCT operations manager Beau Storey. "So in digging out some of the old soil… they're coming across old legacy things," including a rusty oil drum.
A vacuum service was called to clean out the drum, which was below the water line and full of water, and once the empty drum was removed, it's believed residual oil in the soil underneath started seeping out. The material has been sent for testing but Storey said, "It's definitely not diesel."
The Western Canada Marine Response Corporation was also called out Wednesday morning but, when crews responded, they deemed it a "non-recoverable sheen." Spokesperson Michael Lowry said the spill appeared to be a "very light fuel product" that would dissipate and couldn't be skimmed up.
Storey said the spill originated west of where the vessels dock at PCT. A silt curtain that is in place to catch material that floats out during the excavation process was found to have a tear and no further work will be done in the area until a more detailed environmental inspection can be performed.
The Coast Guard, Port Metro Vancouver and Emergency Management BC have also been notified and will share environmental assessment results with the city when they are available.
PoMo Mayor Mike Clay said in an email to The Tri-City News Wednesday that the spill appeared to be small and would likely not pose a significant environmental hazard.
"We will work with them and the authorities, as we can, to get more details and to ensure environmental impacts are minimized," he added.
PCT's expansion work includes extending the train tracks and building a large shed to house potash shipments, as well as tanks for canola oil. The company has offered to build an island near Reed Point Marina as a habitat enhancement project but critics say that would kill existing sea life, particularly some species of special concern.
spayne@tricitynews.com
@spayneTC
