The province is investigating a charge of ‘inappropriate burning’ at the Tolko construction site near Slave Lake. The charge came from an unnamed source at the construction site, likely the same one that called The Leader about it on Apr. 4. That source had plenty to say about what was burned as well as speculations about why. But official sources have been relatively tight-lipped. Kim McLeod of Alberta Environment told The Leader “we got a report, we responded.” The Leader hadn’t got anything out of Tolko by press time.
The unnamed construction worker who called The Leader the day after the fire said that there were plastics, treated wood and aerosol cans among the construction waste that went up in flames on the night of Apr. 3. McLeod would not confirm that but said investigators were monitoring the site and looking for evidence of “any breach of the Environmental Protection Act.
“Certain items are prohibited from burning,” she said. “That’s what we’re investigating.”
McLeod also said that Tolko is working with Environment to clean up the site of the burn, for which they apparently had a permit. Whether they exceeded the terms of the permit is up to Environment to determine.
McLeod said Alberta Environment urges people to call when they have any concerns or questions about anything that may affect the environment.
“We respond to all calls,” she said.
If Tolko is found in violation, “there are a number of actions we can take,” McLeod says. “It depends on the circumstances.”

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