Ontario Transport Ministry Fined for River Pollution
The Ontario Ministry of Transportation ordered to pay $95,000 for violating 2 counts of the federal Fisheries Act. The charges stem from a road washout in April 2008 just east of the community of Orrville on Highway 518, which sent an estimated 8000 tonnes of road materials spilling into the Seguin River system. The sediment plume extended 40 kilometers downstream into Georgian Bay, causing a significant negative impact on fish and fish habitat. The high volume of sediment and materials, and the resulting plume, was determined to be the result of improper maintenance of a plugged and deteriorating culvert, and was triggered by the rise of melt waters, snow and ice. The Ontario Ministry of Transportation was responsible for this culvert, which has since been repaired.
Marine Polluter Penalized $15k
A Prince Edward Island provincial court judge has ordered the vessel BBC Nordland to pay a $15k penalty for illegally discharging a pollutant in Canadian waters. On February 22, 2008, the BBC Nordland, a Gibraltar registered General Dry Cargo vessel, that was docked at the Port of Summerside, Prince Edward Island, spilled approximately 300 litres of hydraulic oil during offloading operations. As a result of the investigation carried out by Transport Canada, charges under the Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and for Dangerous Chemicals of the Canada Shipping Act were laid against the vessel in Prince Edward Island provincial court.
Canada Protects Waters From Pollution
A Halifax Provincial Court Judge has imposed a penalty of $80,000 against the Motor Vessel Alida Gorthon for a pollution offense. The Alida Gorthon is a 12,750 GRT general cargo vessel owned by Blow Sea Shipping Ltd. and registered in Cyprus. The vessel faced charges under the Canada Shipping Act related to the unlawful discharge of a pollutant and failure to report the discharge of a pollutant. The charges were laid following a June 22, 2007 pollution incident in which an oil slick of less than 13 gallons was spotted in the vessel's wake, approximately 124 miles south of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Advanced detection equipment aboard Transport Canada's Dash 8 surveillance aircraft was instrumental in detecting and gathering evidence in the case against the vessel.
Marine Polluter to pay $70K Fine
Canadian waters. diesel fuel while transferring the fuel from a supply vessel. provincial court. Court, and $35,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund. operations and to prosecuting marine polluters whenever there is sufficient evidence. imposed by the courts act as a deterrent for any would-be polluter. eliminate ship-source marine pollution in Canadian waters.
