Water samples taken on Aug. 10, 2014, from Quesnel Lake near the mouth of Hazeltine Creek have been tested and confirm all samples continue to meet provincial and federal drinking water guidelines.

Water samples taken on Aug. 9, 2014, from three locations in the Quesnel River and Quesnel Lake have been tested and confirm that all samples, once again, meet provincial and federal drinking water guidelines.

Government and Cariboo Regional District (CRD) officials continue to work together to address and investigate the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to continue testing local water samples, to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents, and to assist with recovery efforts in the region.

Water samples taken by Ministry of Environment staff from the southeast corner of Polley Lake on Aug. 7 and 8, 2014, have been tested and are very close to historical levels taken prior to the Aug. 4, 2014, tailings pond breach.

Government and Cariboo Regional District officials continue to work together to address the breach at the Mount Polley tailings pond, to test the local drinking water to determine if it is safe for locals to drink or bathe in, and to help ensure the safety and well-being of local residents.

BC Parks is closing Raft Cove Provincial Park in response to concerns arising from the World Rainbow Gathering that began August 7th.

While Ministry of Environment officials remain confident that there is no risk to public health or the environment, the ministry is launching a formal investigation in response to concerns around the approximately 1,800 tonnes of potentially hazardous fly ash shipped to the Cache Creek Landfill from the Burnaby waste-to-energy facility in July and August, announced Environment Minister Terry Lake today.

All proposed waste to energy (WTE) recovery facilities in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley will be subject to a full, mandatory environmental assessment in accordance with an amended and strengthened regulation under the Environmental Assessment Act, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced.

A new apartment building that will provide 36 supportive homes for individuals at risk of homelessness is under construction in Nanaimo.