Northern Ontario excavation company fined in connection with Birch Lake spill
An excavation company based out of Northern Ontario has been fined connection with a diesel fuel spill in Birch Lake.
Green Acres Contracting (Red Lake) Inc., which provides snow plowing and winter ice road maintenance services in Northern Ontario, was convicted of two violations under the Ontario Water Resources Act and was fined $60,000 plus a victim surcharge of $15,000.
The convictions were for failing to notify the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks of a discharge of diesel fuel into Birch Lake and for discharging diesel fuel and oil that may impair the quality of water onto the shore, bank and ice of Birch Lake.
The company has one year to pay both fines.
On January 16, 2021, an employee of Green Acres Contracting was using a snow groomer to build an ice road across Birch Lake in the District of Kenora, when the groomer broke through the ice and plunged into the water.
The groomer’s fuel reservoir, which holds up to 270 litres of diesel fuel, emptied into Birch Lake. The water had a visible sheen and discolouration from the diesel. Also, the water, snow and ice smelt of diesel.
The groomer remained partially submerged in Birch Lake for eight days, until January 24, when it was removed from the water to the edge of Birch Lake.
Green Acres Contracting contacted the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks the following day, on January 25, to report the incident.
After the groomer was removed from the water, Green Acres Contracting drained the fluids from the groomer by flushing out the engine with oil, hydraulic fluid, and diesel along the adjacent shoreline.
No precautionary measures were taken to prevent the draining fluids from entering the natural environment. As a result, diesel and oil were discharged onto the shore, bank and/or waters of Birch Lake beginning on January 24.
The snow and ice were discoloured, and had a diesel odour. Snow samples confirmed the presence of diesel and oil. Diesel fuel and engine oil are harmful to aquatic organisms and can be toxic to aquatic life.
The ministry investigated and laid charges which resulted in the two convictions.