Hanjin cleanup funds released to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Good news came out of Ottawa this week as some much needed clean-up funding was finally released by the federal government.

The Pacific Rim National Park Reserve has received $72,000 to help clear the mess left by 35 styrofoam-insulated shipping containers that spilled off a cargo ship off Long Beach on Nov. 3.

The ship belonged to South Korean company Hanjin Shipping, which was going through bankruptcy proceedings at the time of the incident and, through those proceedings, was ordered to pay $72,000 to Canada’s federal government to assist with cleaning the debris their containers brought to local shores.

That money was held up for several months, much to the chagrin of West Coast MP Gord Johns, but the Park Reserve announced on Tuesday that it had received the funding.

“The funds secured by Parks Canada for the clean-up effort will be used to cover hard costs such as the helicopter, cutting tools and barge needed to break the debris down and transport it to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Landfill. An area has been made available at the landfill to sort the debris and recycle as much material as possible,” said the Park Reserve’s Superintendent Karen Haugen.

In the wake of the debris hitting local beaches, Surfrider Pacific Rim immediately launched a variety of volunteer cleanups and, Haugen said, the Park Reserve has agreed to compensate the local Surfrider crew with approximately $15,500 worth of the $72,000 received.

“Parks Canada has compensated Surfrider Foundation for their hard costs they incurred while assisting in the Long Beach clean-up effort in November 2016, including landfill fees and truck rental charges,” Haugen said. “The Agency is grateful for the support of local volunteers and organizations such as the Surfrider Foundation who gave their time to help clean up parts of Long Beach. Canada’s national parks belong to all Canadians and volunteers are instrumental to keeping the beaches in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve in a pristine natural state.”

She said the remaining funds will go to cleanups both inside and outside the Park Reserve.

“Now that the winter storm season is coming to an end, calmer sea conditions will allow clean-up efforts to proceed,” she said adding requests have come in from local clean-up organizations ready to help cleanup efforts in surrounding communities.

“As good neighbours, and because we were able to realise some cost savings from work already completed, Parks Canada will participate and contribute to the clean-up of Hanjin marine debris in the municipalities of Tofino and Ucluelet…Clean-up efforts in the region will continue to be a collaborative effort between Parks Canada, local community members, the Surfrider Foundation and other organisations.”