Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - August 6, 2006, Winnipeg, Manitoba Winnipeg free press sunday August 6, 2006 Canada a9 Howe sound Oil Slick spreading by Lena sin v Vancouver ? a helicopter sur vey of the damage left by 50 tonnes of Bunker fuel that has spilled in Howe sound North of Van Couver confirmed the Black heavy Slick now extends one and a half kilo metres Long. And an additional Kilometre of Oil has been pushed towards the Squamish b.c., coastline affecting the vegetation and highly productive Squamish Estuary which is known to be so diverse its Habi Tat is likened to that of a tropical rain Forest. Skimmers have been brought in to clean up that Slick said Dan Bate department of fisheries and oceans spokesman. Right now there a also a Kilometre Long area of affected Shore line which does include the Marsh area the cleanup Crews worked overnight Fri Day to contain the spill which began at 2 30 . Friday when the cargo ship Westwood Anette backed out of berth at Squamish terminal and struck a Metal Pilon. By 7 ., Crews had put a Boom around the ship to contain further leak ing. Bate said its too Early to estimate How Long the cleanup will take or How much ecological Impact there will be. But Edith Tobe executive president of the Squamish River watershed society says the damage will be extensive. I can Tell you right now this is not going to go away and be cleaned up any time soon. We re going to be dealing with this damage for months if not years says Tobe. The Only positive thing i have to say is thank god it want two months ago when the water fowl were nesting ? its completely covered All Over their nesting while surveying a Small area near the Squamish Estuary yesterday morning Tobe counted at least 30 wading and div ing Birds covered in Oil. The Estuary is Home to Canada geese mallards cormorants and Many other diving Birds who Are most at risk of being injured. While fish were seen jumping out of the water yesterday afternoon Tobe says they were Likely just reacting to the Oil and Are at a lower risk of being injured than diving Birds. Bear and Deer Are also known to visit the area As Well As River otters ferrets and amphibians. ? can West news service Canadian astronaut says he a confident Ottawa ? Canadian astronaut Steve Maclean is so confident about the safety of his coming shuttle Mission and space walk he a willing to give Odds. Ottawa born Maclean 52, says Nasa technicians have All but eliminated the problem of insulating foam threatening a future shuttle Mission. Id say one in 100 is the risk he said. I have a great Deal of Maclean is to Fly to space aboard the shuttle Atlantis on aug. 27. He will become the second Ever Canadian to walk in space when he helps install trusses and solar panels on the exterior of the International space station. Maclean has waited More than four years for his Opportunity to walk in space. Since a piece of insulating foam dam aged the Columbia shuttle causing it to explode on re entry in 2003, subsequent missions have been under close scrutiny. Maclean said the insulating foam will always present a Challenge but he added that his Crew has been in close Contact with the technicians who work on the shuttle and they Are satisfied with the improvements made. We will not kill another person with foam he said. We Haven to solved the problem but we be minimized Maclean has spent hours in a giant Pool at the Johnson space Centre in Houston simulating space walks. ? Canadian press tenders careers ;