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RESULTS IN: ARMS recently received the results of the four sediment samples collected in the Alouette watershed in September 2007. The samples collected were sent to AXYS Labs to be scanned for commonly used pesticides. The results indicated that there are small amounts of legacy pesticides and insecticides in the watershed. The pesticides found were organo chlorines and the insecticide Endosulfan sulphate. Additional sediment testing must be done because one set of tests on a small number of samples is inconclusive. More testing will help us determine the overall environmental quality of the watershed. We are currently seeking funds to complete phase two of the project and to conduct further sediment sampling.
We are happy to announce that phase one of the Alouette River Pesticide Community Awareness Project has begun. Phase one involved collecting sediment samples from the Alouette Watershed to test for pesticides. ARMS and Environment Canada staff collected four sediment samples from various sites within the Alouette Watershed on Thursday, September 13, 2007. The samples will now be scanned for approximately 75 currently used pesticides by AXYS Analytical Services in Sydney, B.C. We expect to receive the results in mid November which will allow us to move forward with phase two: public awareness.
This project would not have been possible without the in kind or financial assistance of many organizations. We would like to thank Pacific Salmon Foundation and Westminster Savings for funding the sediment testing. In addition, in kind support has been received from the District of Maple Ridge, City of Pitt Meadows, and the Ministry of Environment. ARMS would like to extend a very special thanks to Mark Sekela and Melissa Gledhill from Environment Canada for providing their expertise and equipment in collecting the sediment samples.
ARMS is looking forward to starting phase two of the project. We have so far received funds of $2500.00 from Shell Environmental Fund. We will continue to seek funds from other organizations to complete the project.
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