Eleven large industrial tires, each weighing approximately four tonnes and filled with Styrofoam, have been discovered near Campbell River, B.C., raising concerns for local wildlife. The Greenways Land Trust, a non-profit organization in the Vancouver Island area, is facing challenges in removing the tires due to limited financial and technical resources.
Keely Dodds, the stewardship co-ordinator of the organization, mentioned that their cleanup efforts heavily rely on grant funding and are not primarily focused on beach cleanups. The origin of the tires remains unknown, but Dodds suspects they may have broken away from a large dock or barge during recent windstorms in the region. The Styrofoam inside the tires, initially used to keep them afloat, is now at risk of breaking into smaller pieces that could be consumed by marine life, posing a threat to their well-being.
Concerns also arise regarding potential chemical leaching from the tires into the water, potentially harming salmon populations in the area. Peter Ross, a senior scientist from the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, highlighted the release of the chemical 6PPD-quinone from tires, which poses a threat to coho salmon and other species when washed off roads during rainy weather.
Efforts to remove the tires have faced obstacles due to their location in a challenging spot on the beach, making access difficult for cleanup crews. Despite previous successful cleanup activities involving volunteers removing water-logged Styrofoam, the current situation presents a more complex challenge. The Greenways Land Trust is exploring options, including the use of helicopters for removal, but financial constraints remain a significant hurdle.
The jurisdictional aspect of the cleanup falls under the province’s purview, with local authorities indicating that efforts are underway to address the debris in the marine environment. Acknowledgment was made by the Environment Ministry of the proactive response by Greenways and the support provided by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the cleanup process.
Ross emphasized the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the abandoned tires, stressing the need for action to address the environmental impact caused by such incidents.