Fisheries and Oceans Canada is currently investigating whether there’s a link between thousands of dead fish in the North Alouette River and the water line installed by Golden Eagle Group around the same time.

The company installed the pipe by June 1 to save 200 acres of cranberry plants threatened by dry conditions. It pumped about 100,000 litres of water from the river without having the proper licenses from the Water Stewardship Division of the Ministry of Environment. Golden Eagle applied for dozens of licenses two years ago to double its water intake. The ministry is still reviewing the applications and no one will comment on why this process has taken so long.

The dead fish were found in the North Alouette in late May. Environment Canada tested some of the bass, stickleback and trout fingerlings, but couldn’t find a cause of death. There were no positive matches to pollutants or organic molecules, according to the lab report.

DFO is now looking into whether sediment or silt from excavation work by Golden Eagle harmed fish habitat. The company’s general manager, Rick Matis, maintains that work near the river didn’t begin until after the fish were dead.

Once DFO wraps up its investigation, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada will be asked to examine the evidence and determine what steps are next warranted in this case, explained Bruce Clark, a DFO habitat biologist. There are typically three ways of addressing these kind of cases. DFO could work with the company informally to remedy the situation, force the company to comply with a specific solution, or if the Public Prosecution Service feels the case warrants legal action, and is in the public interest, charges could be laid.

Clark isn’t sure how long the North Alouette investigation will take. In the meantime, Golden Eagle has hired a biologist to work with the Ministry of Environment and DFO to assess the current environmental impact on the river. Until the biologist comes back with information and the investigation is completed, Golden Eagle is not allowed to pump water from the river.

“It’s put us in a holding pattern, which is very uncomfortable with the hot weather,” said Matis. “There’s huge potential for lost crops.”

Pitt Meadows continues to monitor the situation in North Alouette, but is letting the Ministry of Environment and DFO handle the case. Golden Eagle has disconnected its intake pipe, but hasn’t been asked to remove it completely. However, it’s within the city’s power to pull it out if staff feel it’s necessary.

“There are situations where we’ve pulled out works that have been in our roads or dikes without advising council,” said Kim Grout, director of operations and development services. “We say, if you don’t take it out, we’re coming in to take it out. People do all kinds of interesting things in municipal rights of way. That’s just standard.”

– with files from Phil Melnychuk