Inuvik (June 13/03) - A fuel spill in the Oniak Channel is still under investigation, but it has been determined that the fuel did not come from barges wintered in the channel.

The spill was reported June 1 by a hunter in the Delta who noticed fuel floating on the water surface where Northern Transportation Company Limited has had four barges parked.

NTCL boomed off the two barges which were capable of holding a total 2,500 tonnes of diesel fuel.

Greg Whitlock, manager of environment and regulation for NTCL, said they still have no estimate on how much fuel was spilled or where the spill originated from. "At this stage, we have no idea," Whitlock said. "But we are comfortable in saying the product did not leak from the barges.

"From our tank testing that was conducted on arrival, they have remained consistent and constant during this whole period," Whitlock said.

He said the tank soundings match the record books and there is no water in the oil on the barges.

While the area around the barges has been cleaned up, Whitlock said there is still fuel being found along shorelines.

"There still is some debris that's being identified in the vicinity of the Oniak," Whitlock said.

The Inuvialuit Environmental and Geotechnical crew is working with a trapper to identify any other material in back eddies along the shore.

"Once the incident is cleaned up to everyone's satisfaction, NTCL will be investigating the possible source of the contaminant," he said.