Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a response to a question asked by Ms. Sandy Lee on February 23, 2000, regarding a fuel spill on Highway No. 3.
You asked for the status of the cleanup and the extent of environmental damage related to the RTL tanker truck accident on Highway No. 3 on February 20, 2000. Some of the details in media reports concerning the volume of the spill and the status of cleanup have not been entirely accurate.
Although the quantity of diesel spilled has not been determined, RTL estimates half of the 43,000 litre load was lost. The resulting contamination has been limited to the immediate area of the spill. A small nearby slough is not expected to be impacted. The immediate cleanup activities should be completed by RTL over the next two days. There is a possibility that contamination may have seeped into the ground and, therefore, the company will have to readdress this issue during spring run-off. RWED will continue to monitor the immediate cleanup activities and follow up with site inspections in the spring and summer to determine if further cleanup is required by the company. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.