Wed Sep 25 01:43:25 UTC 2024: ## Thousands of Salmon Killed in Hope Slough Spill, First Nations Demand Action
**HOPE, BC** – A major spill in the historic Hope Slough waterway has resulted in the deaths of thousands of salmon and other fish, prompting outrage and calls for action from First Nations communities. The Cheam and Sqwá First Nations discovered the spill on Monday during routine checks on ongoing restoration efforts.
The nations say thousands of fish, including juvenile coho salmon, trout, and the endangered Salish sucker, were killed. The exact source of the spill remains under investigation, but early evidence suggests a possible link to agricultural and farming activities upstream.
“It’s very sad for us because we consider ourselves as salmon people,” said Eddie Gardner, a Sqwá First Nation councillor who witnessed the devastation. “To see a coho kill, you know, in the stream where we’ve been making every effort to make this a good and healthy place for the salmon… is very, very disturbing.”
Roxanna Kooistra, environmental stewardship manager for the Cheam First Nation, expressed concern over the potential for widespread contamination. “We’ve tested approximately 10 kilometres down the slough, and as far as we know all salmonids are dead as far as 10 kilometres downstream,” she said. “There’s people fishing, there’s likely children playing in the area, and this water is now toxic for them.”
The spill is a major setback for the First Nations’ years-long efforts to restore salmon stocks in the Hope Slough, a vital waterway for their culture and livelihood. They are calling for immediate action to prevent further harm and to ensure the safety of the community.
The BC Ministry of Environment has deployed staff to monitor the situation and has retained an Environmental Response Contractor to begin mitigation and cleanup efforts.
First Piper 