First Nations Raise Alarm Over Mysterious Pollutant Threatening Hope Slough Ecosystem

The Cheam and Sqwá First Nations in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley are calling for urgent intervention after discovering a cloudy, foul-smelling discharge polluting the Hope Slough in Chilliwack. The substance, which flows through a ditch into the waterway, has raised concerns about its potential harm to fish populations and human health.

Cheam First Nation biologist Mike Pearson described the discharge as a cloudy, foaming mixture that smells of chemicals and sewage.

"It's distressing both environmentally and for human health," said Pearson. "Coho salmon are currently migrating through this area to reach their spawning grounds, and we have no idea how this pollution will affect them."

On Nov. 28, Cheam environmental staff observed white and grey sludge pouring out of a pipe into a ditch feeding into the slough. While no dead fish have been reported yet, the First Nations are working with federal Environment and Climate Change Canada officers to trace the source.

"We’ve identified three potential sources, and officers are engaging with landowners to stop the spill," said Roxanna Kooistra, who works with Cheam’s environmental restoration department.

Second Incident in Months

This is the second time in recent months that the Hope Slough, known locally as Sqwa:la, has been threatened by pollution. In September, a similar incident at another location caused a fish kill, wiping out juvenile coho salmon, trout, and the endangered Salish sucker.

The Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness reported that low oxygen levels were likely a factor in the September incident but could not determine a definitive cause.

Ongoing Environmental and Cultural Impact

The Hope Slough, a tributary of the Fraser River, is an essential habitat for salmon and other aquatic species. Local First Nations have been working tirelessly to restore salmon stocks and clean up the waterway, which is also a recreational hub for paddlers and anglers.

The Cheam and Sqwá First Nations say evidence of the latest discharge extends several kilometres downstream, suggesting it is not an isolated incident.

"The pipe discharging this substance is a permanent fixture, indicating ongoing pollution of this vital waterway," said a statement from the Cheam First Nation.

Costs and Accountability

The Cheam First Nation is funding the cleanup efforts for the second time, after the Ministry of the Environment reportedly declined to intervene in the September incident.

Ministry of Environment and Parks spokesperson Scott McKenzie confirmed receiving a report of poor water quality on Nov. 29 and said the ministry is following up on the latest incident.

"No dead fish have been reported," McKenzie added.

Local First Nations continue to advocate for stronger protections for the Hope Slough, emphasizing the urgent need to safeguard the waterway for both environmental and cultural preservation.