Fines possible after diesel spill

Likely little environmental harm from fueling mishap in Souris: official

Quick response to a diesel fuel spill in Souris has likely prevented any notable environmental harm, says a government official.

“At the end of the day when the cleanup is complete, we don’t believe there will be any long-term environmental effects,’’ says Wade MacKinnon, manager of investigation enforcement with the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

The province is investigating the spill of about 180 litres of diesel in the parking lot of CTMA Transport. The spill occurred on Jan. 15 when a company vehicle was being filled at the property on Lea Crane Boulevard.

MacKinnon says the cleanup started quickly, and the fuel does not appear to have reached the town’s water supply.

“We believe the excavation will deal with anything that seeped into the soil,’’ he adds.

Both the individual involved in the spill and CTMA face potential fines of $200 to $1,000 and $1,000 to $10,000 respectively under the Environment Protection Act.

The company is also responsible for the cost of the cleanup, which MacKinnon says will be extensive.

For more than 65 years, CTMA has been the exclusive shipping operator serving the Îles de la Madeleine archipelago in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.

The company carries people and freight, in addition to operating cruises down the St. Lawrence. It also operates a fleet of trucks to handle freight.