Fisheries Act Investigations Lead To $76,000 Fine for the District Of Kitimat

TERRACE, British Columbia, September 30, 2004 – The District of Kitimat has been fined a total of $76,000, following two Fisheries Act investigations, one involving the destruction of fish habitat and another involving a sewage spill.

One incident, investigated by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), occurred in October 2002 when the District destroyed approximately 350 metres of riparian (riverbank) and streambed in Sumgas Creek, a tributary of the Kitimat River. This occurred during work intended to improve drainage.

Riparian vegetation adjacent to rivers, streams and foreshores is vital for fish habitat because it provides cover and protection for fish, stabilizes stream banks, prevents erosion and contributes to the aquatic food chain.

The other incident, investigated by DFO and Environment Canada, involved a discharge of approximately 576,000 litres of raw sewage to the Kitimat River and Sumgas Creek in February 2001. Raw sewage is known to be toxic to fish, and the Kitimat River is extremely important fish habitat, supporting all six species of salmon as well as cutthroat, Dolly Varden and rainbow trout and other freshwater species. This was a large spill into a highly productive river.

The District of Kitimat acknowledged its responsibility with each of these incidents, and was convicted under the Fisheries Act. Terrace Provincial Court Judge H.J. Seidemann III sentenced the District to a total of $76,000 in fines and remediation and assessment costs. Of this total, $60,000 will be directed to DFO and Environment Canada for projects designed to conserve and protect fish and fish habitat in the Kitimat watershed.

DFO has a mandate to conserve and protect fisheries and habitat resources and requests assistance from the general public for information on activities they observe that may contravene the Fisheries Act and regulations. Anyone with information can call the toll-free Observe, Record and Report line at 1-800-465-4336.

Environment Canada responds to and investigates spills of toxic substances into the environment and requests the general public’s assistance in reporting spills. Anyone witnessing a spill, can call Environment Canada’s 24-hour spill reporting line at (604) 666-6100. Environmental emergencies in British Columbia can also be reported to the Provincial Emergency Program at: 1-800-663-3456.

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