The creek that runs along the Gateway Casino has had a sheen since November, prompting the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) and Sault Ste. Marie Public Works to collaborate on cleanup efforts and investigate possible causes.
A public report in November alerted the ministry of a visible oily residue in the creek that separates the casino from the main parking lot. Since then, the MECP, Sault Ste. Marie Public Works, and a local contractor have been working to clean up and "remediate" the spill, said an MECP official in an email to The Sault Star.
On Monday morning, Lajoie Bros Contracting trucks were observed beside the creek, while a man in an orange vest shovelled discoloured ice chunks out of the water.
The contractor has installed “absorbent booms” both in the creek and at the outfall to the St. Mary’s River to contain the sheen. The booms are inspected and replaced several times a week, with accumulated material vacuumed and disposed of to "minimize environmental impacts."
According to the MECP, the sheen is contained and does not pose an immediate environmental or public health risk.
"The sheen is confined to the creek with no impacts to drinking water wells or intake systems,” said the MECP official. “With the containment and clean-up measures in place on the creek, there are no anticipated long-term environmental consequences at this time.”
The aqueduct at the casino is a complex sewage system that connects multiple potential point sources, says the MECP.
The public can report spills to the Spills Action Centre at 1-800-268-6060.
Sault Ste. Marie Public Works was contacted, but did not get in touch before press time.
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Local Journalism Initiative/Sault Star