McLean Mill National Historic Site Oil Release
McLean Mill National Historic Site Oil Release
Monday, November 2, 2020
Port Alberni, BC – During the week of October 26th, the City responded to the report of a potential oil spill at McLean Mill National Historic Site. City personnel found that an undetermined amount of Bunker C oil had been released from a rail tank car on site. Early investigation into the cause of this incident indicated that the oil was released through a previously locked valve that was found to be in the ‘open’ position. How that valve came to be opened is currently being investigated by the R.C.M.P. The incident has been reported to the Ministry of Environment, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District.
The rail tank car had been located on a rail siding near the eastern property boundary. It had been used to store fuel for the #7 steam engine that operated between the City and McLean Mill.
Bunker C oil is the residual oil left over after the lighter, more volatile products such as gasoline, diesel and natural gas are distilled out of crude oil. Bunker C is a heavy oil commonly used by freighters. The oil that was released from the rail tank car at McLean Mill was approximately 93 percent Bunker C oil and 7 percent diesel fuel.
The City has mobilized several contractors and professional consultant firms in order to mitigate the environmental impact. Based on preliminary inspection reports from David Clough of D.R. Clough Consulting “it would appear that fuel spill and environmental damage was limited to the railway corridor and dip tank area. At this stage of the investigation based on the visual observations by on-site professionals, there appears to be no escape into surface waters.”
The rail tank car has since been removed from the McLean Mill site and contractors are currently working to remove the contaminated rail ties and ballast. Consultants are working to determine an estimate of the volume released. At present, the site is stable and contained.
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For More Information
Tim Pley, CAO
City of Port Alberni
250-720-2824
or
Sara Darling, Deputy City Clerk
City of Port Alberni
250-720-2822
sara_darling@portalberni.ca