Article content

The federal government is investigating how soil from landslides in south Surrey is making its way from BNSF railway tracks onto an adjacent beach to the detriment of marine life.

Janine Malikian, spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, said her department has received a number of complaints related to the issue.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Fisheries department investigates how soil ended up on beach in south Surrey Back to video

She confirmed the railway has no permit or authorization under the Fisheries Act or Species at Risk Act to move slide debris onto the beach.

Any debris should be contained in the immediate work area, collected and “appropriately disposed of,” according to applicable legislation, guidelines, and best management practices, she said. The concern about soil on the beach includes thepotential impact on sand lance and surf smelt breeding habitat, she said.

BNSF spokesman Gus Melonas insisted Wednesday that the railway does not place slide material “off of our property. We placed the debris on BNSF property, on top of our rip-rap (loose stone). Weather conditions can wash the material from the rock where placed. “