Death of Migratory Birds in Holding Tank Results in $250,000 in Penalties
Environment Canada found 17 Mallard ducks in an open, above-ground, holding tank that died as a result of their exposure to condensate, a form of petroleum liquid hydrocarbon. There were no deterrence measures in place to limit the migratory birds’ access to the tank. The company pleaded guilty to violating Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. The court fined it $5,000 and ordered it to pay $122,500 to the Environmental Damages Fund and another of $122,500 to three charities [Progress Energy Canada Ltd., Govt. News Release, May 26, 2015].