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Cheakamus River spill open house

Scheduled for February 8

Why a Canadian National Railway train derailed and spilled caustic chemicals into the Cheakamus River killing 90 per cent of aquatic life will be one of the questions posed at a Squamish open house on Feb. 8.

"People will certainly want to know what happened," said Greg Wilson, a ministry of environment biologist who will be one of several officials on hand to answer questions.

Representatives from CN and Triton Environmental Consulting, Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Squamish Nation, Environment Canada and the District of Squamish will be available to discuss causes and clean up efforts surrounding the Aug. 5, spill that occurred when a CN train derailed, dumping 40,000 litres of sodium hydroxide into the river.

There will also be poster displays with information on the clean-up, assessment, and monitoring, said Edith Tobe, executive director of the Squamish River Watershed Society. In addition, there will be a sign-up sheet for those interested in providing input and recommendations at the open house.

The meeting takes place at the Squamish Adventure Centre, at Highway 99 and Cleveland Avenue, on Wednesday, Feb. 8, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.