Branch urges swift action on Thompson pollution
Contending that "positive steps should be initiated immediately toward reducing the pollution load on the Thompson River," a statement issued by the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch last week specifically cites industrial and municipal polluters in the Kam-loops area as the "most obvious sources of contamination in the river.
The statement, in effect, challenges conclusions drawn in a preliminary report released by the Pollution Control Branch and the federal environment department. Essentially, the joint report said that further' and more extensive studies on the Thompson River are required in order to determine what action should be taken to curb pollution.
While agreeing that additional studies are needed "to provide more precise information on factors contributing to degradation of water quality in the river," and reiterating its intention of collaborating in such studies, the Fish and Wildlife Branch emphasizes that remedial measures can and should be undertaken at once "on the basis of information now available."
The branch makes it clear that, in its view, the "most obvious large load of pollution is contributed by industrial and domestic sewage outfalls at Kamloops.
"Population and industrial activity have increased substantially in recent years and further
increases are anticipated," it notes, adding that it had previously opposed increases in the volume of effluent discharged from expanded pulp mill operations in the area.
Although there are probably other factors at work as well, the effects of pulp mill and sewage wastes dumped into the river at Kamloops are clearly discernible.
And, the branch says, they can be "reduced or eliminated with known methods of pollution control" — without any further study of the problem.
"The Fish and Wildlife Branch realizes that effective control of pollution is expensive and requires considerable time for planning and implementation.
"However, it is time now to begin planning for the removal of nutrients, color and other undesirable substances from the industrial and domestic sewage of the Kamloops area," it says.
Both the branch's statement and the joint report to which it refers, have been issued in the wake of widespread fears that pollution of the Thompson River already may be assuming dangerous proportions.
The joint federal-provincial study, initiated in the wake of meetings held this spring, involved the Thompson River and Kamloops Lake. The Fish and Wildlife Branch, as well as the environment department and the
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The joint report points out that "since 1971 increased concern has been expressed by the public and by government officials over the condition of Kamloops Lake and of the Thompson River from Savona to Spences Bridge.
"Numerous complaints have mentioned increased amounts of foam, dark colored water, increased algal growth and fish tainting. These problems have been observed mainly during the flow period from September to May."
Much of the investigative work centred on discharges from the Weyerhauser pulp mill and Kamloops' sewage lagoon, both described as "major sources of nutrient input into Kamloops Lake."
The report recommended that "further studies" should place "top priority" on documenting the impact of these discharges.
"Reports from local residents on algae growths in Kamloops Lake and the Thompson River indicate the problem has been increasing for about the past three years.
"Biological activity has greatly accelerated in the past six months and algal growth in the Thompson River below Kamloops was generally in far greater abundance than any other place in the river system above Kamloops," the report found.
Discussing water discoloration, the report noted that, aside from aesthetic considerations, this can affect light penetration and "reduce phytoplankton productivity, which affects the basic capacity of a lake or river system to produce fish."
But, it added, "no definite conclusions" could be drawn from available data because of the "wide fluctuations in flow levels," and an "incomplete range of sampling data."
On the problem offish tainting, the report said fish from Thompson River below Kamloops Lake had "an off-flavor and off-odor, whereas those in the South Thompson River were without odor and had a good flavor. North Thompson River whitefish were intermediate in odor and flavor."
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