Biologist says work on a Trans Mountain pipeline crossing has destroyed salmon habitat

CHILLIWACK — Trans Mountain is disagreeing with a biologist who says a salmon habitat in a Chilliwack area stream has been destroyed by work on a pipeline crossing.

The oil company says the BC Oil and Gas Commission approved its work to cover exposed pipe in Stewart Creek and found no issues in site inspections during and after construction.

But biologist Mike Pearson says when he visited the site in December, the small stones being used to cover the concrete had been swept away by currents.

He says the exposed concrete reduces food sources for coho and chum salmon and limits their ability to hide from predators.