OSOYOOS TIMES-July 7, 2010
By Paul Everest – Osoyoos Times
A recent incident involving gasoline spilling into Osoyoos Lake at the boat launch next to the Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club has raised concerns about local protocols to deal with fuel spills.
Monica and Rolf Weisser, who are members of the club, said club members were preparing a barbecue dinner at the club on the evening of June 27 when a strong smell of gasoline filled the air.
“Nobody could breathe,” Monica said.
When one of the members went to investigate, they found a man launching two Sea-Doos at the boat launch.
One of the Sea-Doos had recently been in for repairs, the Weissers said, and whoever did the repair work failed to hook the line from the gas tank back to the Sea-Doo’s engine and the craft’s hull filled with gasoline.
Although the man, who the couple said was not from Osoyoos and was driving a BMW, said he was only launching the operational Sea-Doo, the other craft was already in the water and it is believed the man was trying to clean the fuel out of the hull using water from the lake.
A fuel slick quickly spread in the water, the Weissers said, and the odour of gas was so powerful that members had to leave the club facility.
Rolf walked to the nearby home of Mayor Stu Wells to find out what could be done about the spill and the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline was called.
Rolf also asked Wells what local penalties or bylaws could be enforced to deal with the spill, but he said Wells did not know.
Further details about the spill or what was done to deal with it were not availble before press time.
The launch is next to the Lions Bay lagoon which is the proposed site for a controversial marina.
A number of local residents have expressed concerns about the potential for fuel spills if the marina is built.
A second public hearing for the marina proposal is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Sonora Community Centre on July 6.
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