ete i TERRACE — A report indicating a possible spill of - polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) at the Thornhill disposal - grounds last week trig- gered an intensive two- day investigation by Ministry of Environ- ment technicians. A laboratory analysis of soil samples from the spill site later revealed only minute traces of the deadly chemical, but charges may still be laid in connection with the incident. by Michael Kelly The events began with a report from a local resident who had noticed a number of dismantled electrical transformers at the Thornhill dump. The transformers were of a type known to contain varying amounts of PCB’s in the insulating system, and a B.C. Hydro lineman was notified of the situation. B.C. Hydro then advised the Ministry of Environ- ment, and an en- vironmental safety of- ficer, Roger Hamilton, was dispatched by the Waste Management 2 Terrace Review — Wednesday, July 23, 1986 Investigation rules ae Recent fears of a serious environmental hazar groundless after two days of intensive testing Experts on the job d at the Thornhiil dump were proven by Bob Marcellin (left), assistant ad- ministrator for the Kitimat-Stikine Regional District, and Roger Hamilton, Environmental Safety Officer for the Waste Management Branch. Branch in Smithers to in- vestigate. When Hamilton arriv-. ed he discovered the empty casings of 22 transformers, with the dielectric mineral oil in- sulating fluid spilled and seeping into the soil. He confirmed that a poten- tial hazard existed, and Late Skeena salmon return begins to gather strength TERRACE — Local concern over an extraor- dinarily weak initial return of sockeye salmon was partially alleviated by the results of a recent test fishery on the Skee- na River, For more than two weeks the sockeye run has tested at only 10 Impact TERRACE — Of all furbearers, beavers have the most impact on the environment around them. Their numerous dams, which are common around Lakelse Lake, Lakelse River, and the Kitsumkalum Valley, form ponds which are essential to moose and other wildlife. Brown Bats TERRACE — Bats are sometimes found in the Terrace area, with roosts in natural caves, old mine shafts, and attics of houses. Two common species are the little brown and the long legged bat. percent of the expected number of fish, but a Department of Fisheries and Oceans spokesman stated late last week that the count is steadily go- ing up. Les Jantz at the DFO’s biology station in Prince Rupert said that the test fishery had its first good showing on July 16, “The fish have finally returned,’’ Jantz remarked. ‘‘At 191,000 it’s still below predicted levels, but we’re hoping there’s a good body of fish behind this group.’’ He said that there will be a two-day gillnet opening in the Skeena estuary this week, and that other allocations will be deter- mined by continued test monitoring of returns. Jantz confirmed that the current chinook salmon run continues as the best on record, and he added that returning steelhead, coho, and a few pink salmon are beginning to make their way up the Skeena, ‘Just a trickle,” he said, “about what could be expected for this time of . the year.”’ requested the dump operator, the Kitimat- Stikine Regional District, to cordon off the grounds. Soil samples collected over a period of two days from the spill site were sent to Vancouver for analysis. On the morning of July 18 Hamilton, a a sounding enormously relieved, announced that the samples had tested out at less than one part per million of PCB’s, a quantity far below the hazard level of 50 parts per million. He characterized the situa- tion as ‘‘low level con- tamination’? due to the een Casings co vered Transformer casings discovered at the Thornhill disposal grounds were buried under peat moss and sand after technicians determined that the oil insulating material con- tained less than one part per million of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's). BUCKLE UP! Seat belts save lives. oil spill and said that the affected area is being covered with organic fill to prevent further leaching into the soil. Hamilton said that PCB’s have been used in the liquid insulation jackets of heavy elec- trical transformers since the 1930's. The- chemical performs well in this ap- plication due to its ther- mal dissipation proper- ties and resistance to breakdown under intense heat. Unfortunately, it has also been identified as a carcinogen and a threat to the environ- ment. The use of it was banned by federal legislation in September 1977, but large numbers of the transformers manufactured prior to the ban are still in service throughout Canada. _ Hamilton said that not all transformers of that design type used PCB’s as an insulation ingre- dient,. but he explained that PCB-containing oils were sometimes used in refilling the insulation chambers, making any of them a potential ‘danger. For that reason, he said, any: decommis- sion or sale of the transformers must be ac- - out environmental hazard — companied by a _ cer- tificate of analysis in- dicating the PCB levels. Terrace conservation officer Lance Sundquist is heading an investiga- tion to trace the origin and movement of the transformers found in Thornhill, but he stated in an interview that he cannot disclose any fin- dings until the investiga- tion is complete. The transformers were reportedly brought into Thornhill from the Nass Valley by a scrap metal dealer, who ripped the devices apart to salvage the internal copper win- dings. Sundquist declin- ed to comment on the report, and he said that the quantity of oil spilled at the dump is also classified as part of the investigation. Sundquist neither con- firmed nor denied the possibility of charges be- ing laid; it is apparent, however, that if a laboratory certificate ex- isted for the transformers in question an investigation would not have been necessary. Sundquist said that the enquiry should be com- plete within a month. Progress reported in forest negotiations TERRACE — The 4,300 members of the forest union local which in- cludes the Terrace area will remain on the job for the time being as con- tract talks continue in Vancouver between representatives of the B.C. forest industry and the International Wood- “workers of America (IWA). Walter Kozij, secretary-treasurer for IWA local 1-71, said that despite a recent strike mandate no job action will be taken while pro- gress is evident in the negotiations. The pre- sent collective agreement has been in force since June 1983. Kozij reported in a re- cent interview that there has been satisfactory im- provement on the issue of pension benefits, and he said that the primary question remaining is limitation on the use of non-union contractors for work presently being done by IWA members. He said that the union is adamant on the issue, having lost 10,000 jobs over the past five years due to difficult economic times for the forest in- dustry in B,C. “Employees of those companies should have the advantage of full union benefits,” he add- ed. Although an IWA strike would cause a ma- jor disruption in the Ter- race economy, at this point the intensive negotiations in Van- couver appear to be ‘moving well. ‘‘There is some reason for optim- ism here,’’ he concluded. Approximately 35 companies, including both the major sawmills, are IWA union employers in the Terrace area. Seals Visit TERRACE — Hair or Harbour Seals are com- mon visitors to the Ter- race area during salmon season. Following migrating fish upstream, they can be seen in the Skeena or Lakelse Rivers from July to September.